It’s been on my mind for a couple of years now; I need to get back to the point of having the time and energy to train as I want. That means getting the volume down to see some results, not just maintenance. Also being able to compete at a level that I know I am satisfied with.

Why haven’t I done that earlier you might ask?! Well, it was quite the “hassle” creating and developing my own business! I think I had five jobs at the most the first year to make ends meet. It was cool, but when working 10 – 15 hours a day, there is not much time left to get the volume and quality of training that I wanted. I worked out, of course (there is no excuse for not training 5-7 times a week by the way; discipline and prioritizing is key), but most sessions was kept between 30 – 60 minutes. And a lot of the times there was not room for much quality either.

The fall of 2016 I got offered to work as the head strength and conditioning coach for the Norwegian Armys Telemark Battalion, the only professional (meaning no conscripts) Battalion in the Norwegian Armed Forces (not including Special forces). Read more about them here: LINK. That was kind of a big deal for me: To be headhunted for a position that normally doesn’t exist (normally the coaches is hired outside the battalions in supportive roles for everyone) for the only fully professional Battalion in the army (yeah, that’s right: I’m bragging like crazy here!).

How could I say no?! As I knew it was just a temporary gig, I did not drop my athletes either. That meant working a full-time job, in addition to my other full time job and a couple other small jobs. And I had to drive back and forth from Rena every week which took about 4-6 hours a week. Still no excuse for not working out though, but again, the volume got reduced.

After over two years in the Telemark Battalion and AP-Performance going strong all the way, I kind of “hit the wall” (I think I managed to break a bit before hitting it though). It has lead me down a soulsearching path making me realize that the last couple of years I have drifted through reality, working almost all the time. Not really creating value in my own life, for my own head. Don’t be mistaking; I would probably have done it again because I love my athletes and I loved the opportunity I got at the Telemark Battalion and I am so proud of the work I have left behind me there, but as I was warned time and time again: sooner or later you to will probably get a bit tired (took only three and a half years though).

What kind of conclusion have I reached?

1. I love coaching and being a part of the process with my athletes
2. I love training and I love competition
3. I love working with my own schedule

Conclusions?!

So that means there’s a no brainer continuing full time (about a normal “size” job give or take a few hours) with the coaching. In addition, to be the best coach I can be I need to get closer to the competition than I have been before. With my masters degree in sports physiology (with a lot of biomechanics baked in) and my obstacle course-racing, penathlete background I am good at theoretically think my way through the demands of racing OCR at a high level. But still, as the competitor I am, there is no downside to going at it myself. Experiencing and evolving alongside my athletes.

As I still have a time-trial bike (and a couple of other bikes), enjoy both cycling and swimming, and a couple of athletes that do triathlon; there is no harm in “bringing the heat” (oh god, what a lame dude) to other arenas as well!

I still think that I have some potential in my body left and my heads competitive edge is on fire every time I get to a competition. That is also a good reason why I should compete.

So what’s next?

Well. I have to start training seriously.

My first goal: slowly progressing to 60 km/week and having 1-2 intervals every week. Right now, I am on around 20 – 30 km and way slower than I want to be. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast!

My first competition: Probably Toughest Oslo. See you there?

Let’s do this!