HalvBirken 2012 was my first big race, and I was really nervous many days before. There were so many things I was excited about – what if I had to go to the bathroom along the way? Imagine if I ran wrong? The bathroom problem actually solved itself - it seemed that the body realized that something was wrong, and I went to the bathroom many times the day before. The night before the race I had a nightmare, and dreamed that I had to do tasks along the way - and if you did wrong there were penalty rounds.
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On race day I got up, ate a light breakfast and strolled up to the Birkebeiner ski stadium. With just over 3 km up to the stadium, I found that it was a great way to combine warming up with calming the nerves a bit, and it worked very well! Once up, I handed over my luggage and went to the start, and I remember looking at the clock when there was 1 minute to the start - and my pulse made a huge jump! But when the starting shot went off and the race was underway, it wasn't scary anymore, I could do this! The race was a great experience
and it went so much better than I had dared to hope for. One experience I gained, and which I have taken with me to later races, was that it was incredibly difficult to drink at speed with a sky-high heart rate. I really got in the wrong throat, then had to calm down a little involuntarily. When I ran the HalvBirken next time, I stopped to drink, before running on with new energy – maybe I lost a few seconds, but I made them up straight away!
The following year I had my second daughter, so it was two years before I ran again. At the time I was still excited, but a little less nervous because I knew a little more what I was getting into. The race was an equally positive experience this time, and I got a new press with over 4 min. It was fun! 2015 was the new HalvBirken and a new best time. In 2016 and 2017 there was a race break, then my youngest was born, but in 2018 I was ready for Birken again. After completing 3 HalvBirken, I felt that I was ready for new challenges, and signed up for Birkebeinerløp - my first half marathon.
I also spoke to friends and acquaintances who had run the race before, good to be able to pick up some good tips along the way. A running friend told me that the route for the first 7 km was very hilly, and that it was wise to take it easy at the start in order to have the legs running for the rest of the race. It was a tip I really benefited from
and helped make my first Birkebeiner run a great experience!
Something else that had to be taken into account this year was that it was reported to be very warm. Running races in the heat was something I knew little about before, and I could have thought of just drinking a lot of water. Fortunately, Birken was good at informing ahead of the race, and emphasized the importance of drinking drinks with salts so that the body would be able to maintain its fluid balance. At the Birken fair I bought Ringervann, which I mixed with juice and drank the day and morning before the race. (The water was a bit expensive and didn't taste good, so when I learned the following year that Farris had much of the same content, it was Farris+apple juice instead – with the same effect).
Race day came - a beautiful, but very hot, June day. There were probably more people than me who were excited about how the body would respond to running in the heat! Fortunately, I noticed a good effect from having taken in enough liquid beforehand, and had no problems along the way - but I heard of several people who had to break due to dehydration. The drinking stations came at the right distance, and I was careful to fill up with liquid at all the stations. In addition, I had filled the pocket of the shorts with GelDrink from Maxim - a gel that is mixed with water, and which I think is both easier to swallow and less hard on the stomach than a pure gel. In addition, I had two fruit bars from the baby food shelf with me, for access to a little refill if needed - easy to get in and tasted good. I also remember that at one of the stations they were ready so you could have a jug of water over your head if you wanted - absolutely fantastic! The race was a great experience
thanks in large part to good advice from race friends and the organiser! Perhaps someone might enjoy mine?
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My Birken tips
- Drink well (and correct) ahead of the race. Not excessively, of course, but I myself experienced a good effect from having the fluid balance in order both before and during the race. You don't need to buy expensive super water, mineral water like Farris contains a lot of what you need
- Save on the gunpowder. The first 7 km of the race is hilly, so don't be in too much of a hurry at the start. It's easy to go with a bang if you open too quickly! I myself like to open slowly, and I walk most of the short, steep bends this bit. In this way, I get less acid in my legs, and the few seconds I lose on the way up I quickly make up afterwards. I also use several of the slopes to take a GelDrink or fruit bar
- Stop at the drink stations. It may seem tempting to run past to save a few seconds, but I recommend a stop to top up with some drink and possibly a course etc. I experience getting a boost after these top-ups and can bear to do a little extra afterwards
- Practice running downhill. The last 5 km is a lot of downhill, which is very good on the eve of a race - but also quite demanding for tired legs. By training to run downhill, you strengthen your muscles, but it also helps you become safer, so maybe you dare to run a little faster. There are many seconds and places to be gained here, which can be motivating when the race (and the forces) are nearing the end. This article contains many useful tips https://spurt.no /trene-loping-i-downhill/
- Take into account the day's form. There are many things that can affect the daily form, and not all days are equally good. While it's fun to push, it's not the most important thing. I recommend that you focus on the joy of running and that you complete the race in a way that makes you feel that you gave 100% of what your body had to offer that day - if there is also press, it could possibly be a great bonus!
Wishing you a good race experience!
Hope to see you at the race!
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