Fjellenern, the last of a three-parted competition

Fjellenern is the last of a three-(or four) parted competition. Before the run, there had been three other competitions: cross country, randonee and cycling. So the competition is very similar to the triple in Birkebeineren. This last competition was an 8 km long run that started in the centre of Oppdal with the finish line at the top of one of Norway's largest alpine ski area. A lovely run, if it hadn't been for the extra challenges that day. Before we arrived at Oppdal, it started snowing, but being optimistic we did not think it was cold enough for it to stay on the ground. We were wrong! The snow made the path very slippery and made it was difficult to run at times and many chose to walk instead of running. As if the snow in itself did not make it difficult enough, it got more and more windy the higher we got. As a result the run had to be shortened down to 7km since it was impossible to see where the path was supposed to be. The organizers handled the challenges very well and all the other competitions have also been well organized. A very good alternative to the Birkebeiner competition with less people and less hassle.
Of course the weather improved after the run. Looking at the skiing area it almost looked like the season could start very early, this was the first weekend in September! Just to make it clear: even in Norway it is not normal to have snow this early...

Almost at the top, those shoes were not made for running in snow...

Turn around and go back home? looks very cold!

My mother, supportive as always:)

The snow disappeared quickly AFTER the run

Snow also in Dovre

The birkebeiner competition

The Birkebeiner competitions has its roots in the story about how the future king, Håkon Håkonsson, was moved to safety by a dangerous trip over the mountains when he was only 2 years old. This background is made clear by the competition rule that everyone has to wear a backpack weighing 3.5 kg for both the skiing and the cycling competition. For the last competition, the run, you do not have to wear it. The skiing competition was held last winter, and the cycling and running this autumn. You can choose whether you want to take part in one, two or all three competitions. If you take part in all three there is also a combined competition of the three: "the triple". In each competition you have to be below a maximum finish time (based on the best ones in each group) to get an award. If you manage this in all competitions, you get the title "Birkebeiner of the year".

The cycling competition was great fun! And I both understand why the it's sold out within minutes and why people sell their tickets when it's bad weather. Luckily the weather was nice this year and I could only enjoy the beautiful route and the lovely scenery along it. The same also applies for the run which was a 21 km route mostly in the terrain. Much better than running on concrete or asphalt! And much more fun=)

I am very impressed by how well it all has been organized. Especially considering the logistics with having the start and finish at two different locations and also the amount of people participating in the competitions. Well done!

My goal was to become a Birkebeiner of the year, and after managing the requirements in the first two competitions I had only the run left. I got a good night sleep at Suttestad gård, a charming old building  away from the noise. I would recommend a stay at this place for anyone who likes to feel at home and are tired of big hotels. I charged the batteries well, managed to do a good run and reached my goal! It was a lovely feeling=)
What next?

Ready!

FOOD!=) Very important before a long competition

My mother, the sports journalist...? This is where I was some seconds earlier

bikes everywhere

Suttestad gård

The start of the run, many nervous competitors

BDO-mila

In the typical Trondheim weather BDO-mila, a running competition, was arranged with more than 500 participants. That's many for a run on a weekday in Trondheim. Due to lack of shape, I did not run, but of course I went to cheer on the sporty people who did=)
The run was made up by six laps around a fortress on top of a hill (a bit like the fortress in Newcastle(Australia) making it a 10 km long run. The laps were pretty flat, but that also meant no breaks, and believing my friends who participated it was a tough run. I had a good time cheering with my friend Ragnhild and a friend of hers, and it was as always inspiring to see how fit people are. It makes me want to get that extra energy they seem to have. Especially the winner, no one even came close to beating him. As most sports events these days, this one also had their celebrities participating: Petter Northug and Eldar Rønning from the national team in cross country skiing. Eldar did best of the two as he was the third one to finish.

It was so much fun to see so many familiar faces participating and especially people I know are not runners, but do different kinds of sports. What I did miss was familiar female participants. I did not see one woman I know in the whole race; we have to get better at participating in competitions girls! Here are some photoes of sporty people=) I apologize for the poor quality, butthe cold made it difficult...

The start, rather crowded and at one point we worried they would run over some of the small children who started before them..

3 men ran from the rest already in the beginning



Audun, still with good spirit:)

Haakon(to the right) in deep concentration

Eldar runnig past Ola, but it didn't last long before Ola tried to pass him again and did so too!=)

Eivind with some energy left:)