Hat-trick!

There was something different this year compared to the last two years, too: I felt much more pressure because so many people expected me to win, but you should never do so--not in this very special race. Norseman 2011 showed us clearly that you cannot take anything as a given before the race. The swim start change and the longer bike were both not on my list of "What maybe could happen," but it was the same for everyone, so I wasn't thinking that much about it. I just had to set my alarm clock half an hour earlier. But when it went off I was awake anyway: I'd had a perfect week in Eidfjord with a lot of rest and relaxation in the perfect company of my boyfriend, Hans, and my parents, who came to support me. And then, two days before the race a little extra motivation: my brother Uli and a good friend and athlete of mine came as a surprise to support me and watch the race. They flew to Bergen and rode their mountain bikes to Eidfjord in two days. Crazy guys! I felt really happy, and that took a lot of the pressure away for the last two days before the race. I was feeling better and better with each hour counting down to the race. I could not wait to step onto the ferry and head out into the fjord.

The jump off the ferry is one of the things I like most in the race. It gives you the last kick and adrenalin that you're really ready for the big day. Before that I felt really relaxed and the last minutes on the ferry I was able to enjoy the very special atmosphere among all the athletes and crew. Then we were off! After the jump it felt hard to reach the start line. There were the first signs that the tide was coming in and that it could become a even longer day. I felt strong all the time--just in the last 10-15 minutes I really felt like I wanted to get out of the water because my arms were getting a little tired. And I wanted to hop on my bike. I trained very well for the bike this year so there were no bad thoughts about the extra mileage--I felt more like I could use it to get away for a good position for the run.
But still: I never pushed on the bike. The good thing was that I was able to ride with a powermeter this year to see if I was riding the hill (especially the 35km climb at the beginning) too hard or pushing too little on the downhills and flat sections. And that worked out. I rode the whole course in a certain zone, not pushing higher but also not resting too much.

I came out of water in 4th, and out of transition in 3rd position. After 15km I was already in 2nd place but I knew that it would take a while to catch Marlin Lundvik, the super-fast swimmer from Sweden. In icy rain at Hardangervidda I was able to take the lead and make the smile on my face even bigger because I still felt very easy and like pushing a little more. But still I held back, knowing that the hardest part would come much later in the race at Rjukan. My tactic was the same as last year: riding easy in the hills and saving energy for the run. So on my way up to Imingfjell I lost a few minutes but was able to get them and a few more back on the flat and downhill to transition 2. I came in with an approximate lead of 13 minutes and quite happy that I beat my bike split from last year by a minute--even with 20km more on the course. My time of 6:53, the best bike split in the girls' field makes me quite happy because I was able to ride it stable without any hard pushing. Of course the wind was also one reason for that, but I also felt that I was stronger than in past years. 
I ran out with slightly heavy legs like everyone I guess. It's quite normal, if you've been on your way for more than 8 hours already! And there was also some pain in my left foot from a last hard run session with lots of stairs and a stepper workout in the studio. This pain stayed with me throughout the marathon but I was able to block it out thanks to the energy of the lead!

After 3-5km my rhythm came back, and again I tried to run a good pace without trying to push harder than necessary. I had a good gab to the others and knew that the hill is where the race really starts. The “heat” we had in the valley was not on my plan for that day! After watching the weather forecast I did not expect it to be that hot! At the end of the flat section I think I drank a little too little, so suddenly my legs got a little heavy again. And there it was: the mountain. In the last two years it has brought the smile back to my face because I know that I'm a good hill runner. This year I was not that sure about it because I was feeling a little dehydrated. But after 100m on the mountain it was back again: the feeling of a good rhythm and some power, so I became sure that I would keep RUNNING at least until the trail started! And so I did. Still trying not to run as fast as possible but keeping my pace. At the trail I had a lead of around 20 minutes. My thoughts: no hurry, enjoy the hill and the view. No one can take that win away from you again. But then there was Hans, my boyfriend who supported me. It was him, telling me after halfway, that I was MAYBE still on a record pace. “Not again” was my first thought! Both years, in 2009 and 2010, the trail became a “criminal act” for me because I was fighting for the record. Because of the longer bike leg I thought this year that would be over and that I would just be fighting for the win. But no: of course we tried to push a little more, but that became really tough. Not because of my legs, but my stomach: I changed a lot of my nutrition this year and it worked nearly perfectly in the race. But it led to me taking TOO MANY carbohydrates and too little water in the first part of the run. It was a rookie mistake that should not happen to a professional coach. I just remember that I tried to take what I was able to get and felt so happy that my stomach was not reacting against all the stuff, but I forgot to take enough water with it. I had to pay for that on the trail with some very bad cramps and a need to drink plain water. But we had none. We had gel, iso, cola, but no water. But thank God we were out in the nature and there was lots of water coming down from Gausta. So I drank what I was able to collect and Hans filled up a little bottle for me. That the colour was deep brown did not matter for me. Water has never tasted better than on that day. In the last meters the cramps eased and I was able to start my little fight against the clock again. And it worked out. The feeling of arriving on the top of Gaustatoppen as the first girl again (not knowing that it was in record time again) has never felt better.

It was my big goal for this year to end up my three starts at Norseman with a third victory, and I worked really hard for it. Not by that many hours but with a really good way of training and sorting the rest of my life. The pressure was really high – at some points it felt even too high for me.  But it worked out. And as they told me before going down to the lift: in a new course record time.

I never thought this would be possible in these conditions, but I have to say that I had a perfect day, with perfect support by:
My parents, who supported me 100 percent all year and at every race. My brother, Diane and Hans, who kicked my b..t whenever it was necessary! And so much energy and support by many people and friends following the race at home on the webpage and pressing their thumbs for me. Another big thanks goes to physiotherapist Rainer Wittmann who managed three “emergency sessions” before I left for Norseman! And not to forget the physiotherapist in Eidfjord who treated me three times with massage to get at least a little pre-race tension out of my back.

A big thanks goes to my sponsors and partners:

• Magic Sportfood: market leader in triathlon, swimming, running
• Hannes Hawaii Tours: their camps are the right way to prepare for the season
• Skinfit: the best clothing for racing through three clima zones including rain in 10°C!
• Planet X Bikes: they make it possible for me to ride a stiff bike which feels custom made. Nice bikes for every season and every kind of training and race
• Sailfish: who make it possible for even a “no-swimmer” like me to come out of the water soon
• Saucony: the right shoe for every session and every race
• Penco: the best race nutrition and energy delivery ever. Good taste but most importantly, good for the stomach (if you do not eat more than you need)!  
• ACS – Rotor: oval chainrings and crankset for more power on the bike and fewer problems with your joints
• Bike shop and bike fit, Fritz Buchstaller: truly a legend! Best bike fit and advice
• Power2Max: powermeter to ride steady, progressiv and fast
• Pohlig: sport-medical inserts for bike and running shoes if you treat your feet too much by biking and running
• Oakley: nicest glasses ever with the best functionality -- who doesn't love them?
• Suunto: the way to control your training and race with a view into how your body is working
• CEP compression socks: helped me in the flat section to save my muscles for the hill

After the race we went down to Sweden and enjoyed three days in a nice apartment at a campground at the sea around Tanum before we went on to Copenhagen. Hans was racing Challenge Copenhagen, as I did last year eight days after Norseman. I felt very happy not to do a double again and just support HIM this time. And that worked out: Hans raced a personal best in 8:36, 9th overall with a 2:48 marathon. Puhh...that was fast. Happy girlfriend and coach!
What's happening now...

Because of the pain in my foot I cancelled the two XTERRA races in Germany and Switzerland that were in my calendar. Rainer Wittman and I are working on getting me healthy for Challenge Henley-on-Thames in the UK in 3.5 weeks, where Hans and I are both racing. Now that I can run without pain again I see that I will stick to that plan!

And next year...
I decided before the race that I will not race Norseman again in 2012. It was a hard decision, and I still doubt it sometimes. Especially because I have already made a request for the apartment in Eidfjord. The plan is to have a holiday and watch the race. But it is not that easy to keep me away from the start line of a race that seems made for me. The plan could be that Hans is doing the race! Then I will have to support him and I CANNOT enter. Still, I feel I'm not ready to promise that I will not send a letter in October...
I love every meter of this race and the people who are involved and spend so much of their spare time to create a perfect event. Big thanks to all of you! Go on...you bring a lot of happiness to many athletes.  
Again, I met so many great people and received a big bunch of congratulations from all over. That was just amazing...big thanks for that, too.
For all the others who were on the start and finish line three weeks ago, I wish you all a good recovery and great rest of the season.

Yours, Susa