Why did we choose this challenge?
It all started in 2022 when we were hanging out after work, me, Max and Thomas. Max and Thomas had read about ultra-marathon race that took place in Lofoten each year. They had already signed up for the 50-miles distance and were both pretty stocked about it. None of us had ever ran that far, not even a marathon. So we decided to give it a go!
After finishing the 50-miles in what you can describe as interesting weather, we all thought that doing the 100-miles must be for the medically insane. The weather, the height meters and distance combined with terrain made it seem like an impossible challenge.
December 2022 Max visited me in Oslo. He had mentioned that he had a challenge that he thought I would like, since we both are attracted to those kind of things. He told me about the arctic triple gold and what we had to do to get the jacket. First there would be Skimo, which both of us had never done. Then the 100-miles ultra-marathon, which none of us had done before, except half the distance. Finally an extreme triathlon, which Max had completed some before, although Olympic distances. I, on the other hand, had never tried or competed In any triathlon.
After laughing about how the odds were not in our favor, we both signed up for the Arctic tripe gold. I was excited, to say at least. We also decided to do it all in the same calendar year, that of course is the proper way to do it.
A little about our background?
Me and Max got to know each other through work. We worked in the Norwegian Army and were both quite fund of an active lifestyle and physical challenges. Max is the one that had first heard about ultra-marathon and triathlon. He had done some of them and was bitten. I on the other hand had heard of neither and saw it as an impossible goal, one which I had to prepare for.
How did we prepare to each challenge? Interim goals?
For the skimo, we decided to take time in Lofoten in January and February, skiing some of the local mountains and taking time to get used to our equipment and the route. Other than that we started a quite grueling training regime that emphasized conditioning, core strength and leg strength. Personally my main goal was not to get injured and to build a solid foundation that could keep me going through all 3 challenges.
The 100-miles ultra-marathon was a different beast entirely. I could probably write a book on how we chose to prepare for this one. All has probably been said before so I won’t go too much in detail. The most important preparations we put in was many miles on the legs and mentally preparing by going through the route. I was so lucky to have a colleague that did the 100-miles In 2022 that went through the whole race with me on the race-map. He gave me good tips and tricks and shared a recipe for an awesome calorie bread that helped a lot. Besides this I was doing a lot of low-intensity activity like swimming, foam-rolling, yoga and skiing.
For the triathlon I had to focus on the one thing I had almost no experience with, and that was cycling. I only had the short period in spring to do so and had to put a lot of miles on the legs before that. I also swam a lot in the ocean to get used to waves and the salt water. My body was pretty banged up from the 100-miles race so it also was the logical way to go about it by doing low impact activity. There was little to no running since my body was already pretty used to it by now.
Some words about each race
The skimo race was the biggest insecurity of the three. We did not invest in any skimo gear and rocked the same equipment we used to back-country ski the mountains. When we showed up at the starting line we quickly understood that we were the rookies there. But surprisingly we did not fall far behind the other contenders. Still we noticed quickly that we were not going to stand on the podium at the end of the race. Halfway through the race my water bottles were empty and I realized that I had brought way to little. I was cramping pretty badly and the downhill part before “Torskemannen” was a pretty rough experience. Luckily there was two race supporters that offered “Seigmenn” a Norwegian candy. They had never tasted as good and probably never will. The mountains were beautiful and the skiing was amazing. We were very lucky with the weather and the view was equally nice from all 8 peaks.
The ultra-marathon is probably the toughest challenge. The distance, height meters, terrain and weather is not something to be taken lightly. 2 days before the race it was snowing in Lofoten and the weather report did not bode lightly. Although the race is fully supported and you don´t need any own support, we had Thomas with us during the race that showed up in some parts and provided mental support. The race starts with a boat ride that lets the butterflies really go to work. Beautiful scenery and majestic peaks is a reoccurring theme that last throughout the race. Me and Max had decided that we were going to finish this race together and ran most of it, side by side. There were moments where both of us were worried about not making the time-limit. We were running through snow on top of some of the highest peaks in Lofoten with rain and wind working against us. After 36 hours we arrived in Svolvær. The feeling is indescribable and is believe that the only way to find out is to do it yourself.
The triathlon is most likely the most beautiful ironman distance triathlon you can do. It all starts with the swimming inside the bay in Svolvær. The water is cold but the morning view is amazing. After 4km and a couple of jellyfish to the face the bike leg commences. A quick change in the center of town. Personally I showed up with the bear minimum of equipment. No fancy bike at all. Although it was my first triathlon i was still able to not fall to far behind. The bike legs takes you around Lofoten and was an amazing challenge. The last run legs was demanding, but I knew the route very well. All in all I am very happy that this was my first triathlon, and it will not be my last.
Wall of fame & Arctic triple? What is it to us and what meaning has it had on our lives
This challenge has definitely shaped my life for the better. Having a clear and measurable goal to work towards is something that I always seek to have in my life. The arctic triple is an arena where you really challenge yourself on your own terms. You know what you have to do and all it demands is that you put in the work beforehand. The rest is up to you and the mental barriers you have to break.
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