The Norseman Lottery
We did something a bit crazy and entered the lottery for the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon. It seemed like a good idea at the time. That's how most of these things go...very excited at the sign-up, slightly nervous as the days pass and you realize what you've done, terror at opening the email. Add in the horror that the "wrong" one of us got in. Dean was fired up and excited by the challenge; I was a bit hesitant and queasy at the thought of entering. Google Norseman Xtreme Tri (or just go to www.nxtri.com) and you'll see what I mean. No really, go check out the site and watch the video. Back - yeah - it's that epic. I mean, I don't even win scratch off lottery tickets, much less a powerball or megamillions, but sure enough, I had attracted Odin's attention (wrath?) and my name was drawn.
The kind folks at Norseman put up the odds a day or so in advance of the email notification. For non-Norwegians, the odds were about 17% for the guys and 60% for the gals. While I'm not surprised that there were more guys than gals signed up...I was a bit surprised (concerned) that my odds were 3 times better than Dean's. I was hoping that signing up together (same reservation transaction) might tip the scales of justice. I thought wrong. So, after getting the "you're in" email, while I notionally had a choice - I didn't really have a choice. There's no rolldown - if I passed on the slot, it would go empty. With a total field of about 250 - and enough warnings and other signposts requesting you make *really* sure you want to sign up in advance - wasting a slot seems wrong. Especially a slot as potentially epic as Norseman. So, I'm in. I'm excited to be in, but at the same time - holy crapt.
One of the quirks of this "race" is that, weather permitting, only the first 160 folks to show up at a mountain checkpoint (really, check the website) get to continue up the course and earn a black t-shirt. Number 161 and down follow an alternate course in search of a white finisher t-shirt. There is obviously no shame in a white t-shirt -- finishing Norseman would be epic enough -- but, oh, the lure of the insanity of the black t-shirt and mountaintop finish. As with all these things, goal 1 is to get to the start line healthy and goal 2 is to finish. But then the other goals creep in, whether it be time related, placement related, or - in a new and magnificently challenging twist - t-shirt related. And goal 3 must be, you guessed it, the black t-shirt. I don't even know if it's realistic. I don't know if it's possible. But, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want one. Yeah - going to Norway to do an extreme tri and all I can think about is the t-shirt. Nuts.
So, what do I have to do between now and then (then being 03 August)? I have to train my arse off, both literally and figuratively. Looking at my limiters (no particular order): I weigh too much (especially for a hilly bike course), I need to get stronger on the bike, I need to get faster in the water, I need to have enough run fitness to get through 35 kms of the run and rely on mental fortitude to manage the last bit up the mountain, and I need to learn how to descend well on a bike to avoid giving back time that I will desperately need. That's what I need to do in the next 8+ months. And, I need to remember the lessons from IMFL and not become anemic and pay attention to the details of nutrition so I can stay healthy and fueled.
I've spent the last year working out (as opposed to training for something specific). That's about to change dramatically as my "something" was just set: 03 August 2013 -- Norseman. It seems a long way off, but it's not. I'm going to need help getting there. Dean continues to be the best coach ever and despite his disappointment, he's all in for this adventure. But, I'm going to need some extra mojo help along the way, so the Mortal Man Tri challenges will likely be back. And, there's a really good chance that Broccoli Man, Red Panda, and the Bear will be making some repeat cameos - once I stop hyperventilating, there'll be a video. And, I'll be trying to keep folks updated in various forms and sharing too much information. And, when you get into something like Norseman, there's no option but to hang out the window and beseech Odin. So, for those of you who've requested help from Odin before, give him a shout out your window for Norseman 2013.
ps-no, I didn't give Dean a chance to edit this one. sometimes, you're just stuck with the stream of consciousness.
