I've always heard that resistance makes you strong, and yes, I can partly agree with that. After 6 months in my life it could have been the hook on the door, but fortunately I only got Epilepsy, but trials should come on the assembly line. I have a rare syndrome within Epilepsy. Some 1 in 100,000 of those who have epilepsy hair. I have had 18 admissions to the SSE (Special Hospital for Epilepsy) outside Sandvika from the time I was 3 - 9 years old. I am a VIP at SSE as the shortest admission has been 6 weeks. Who would have thought that such a sick young person would become an ultra runner?
I've faced a lot of adversity, but thought: "I'd rather show them. I wasn't saved from SIDS to live a mediocre life!” When I was chairman of the Norwegian Epilepsy Association Youth (NEFU), I was made aware that there were few young people with epilepsy who were physically active. Yes, some people get seizures from physical activity, but it is around 10% and it is 1% of Norway's population that has Epilepsy.
Then the central board of the Norwegian Epilepsy Association's Youth and I decided that we should focus on physical activity started in some races that year. Since I was chairman of the board, I shouldn't be any worse, so I applied to the start of all the races we participated in. From 0 km running to 42 km in 5 months was the beginning of something fun!
After new acquaintances and motivation in 2019, I had to try some longer distances so more were covered hundreds of hours in the training room and participation in duathlons and half marathons and eventually ultra races. I had received blood on teeth and proved to me and many others that seizures and Epilepsy are no obstacle!
Yes, I've had seizures while running, but then I've called or texted someone I know that they need to be ready with food and drink at the finish, because there is no question of a DNF here. Then I'd rather take a worse finish time and recover in goal. I'm not the fastest, but I'm persistent and reach the goals I set myself, as well as show those who don't had faith in me. It's so delicious! Almost as delicious as crossing the finish line.
Some people focus on pace. I focus on kilometers. The longer, the better! I look forward to the continuation and have made many friends I wouldn't be without. Lovely people who show up are not what I'm used to outside of the family my. So thank you very much so far and I hope to see you/run! 😀