Camp Weider

16. december - Helle Skrataas

Mari Weider

Helle! My darling Helle! Were to start and were to end…or well I hope the adventures With Helle will never stop! Helle is my always smiling little monkey. She is amazing in the bouldring walls, at riggs and everywere she can hold on to something the rest of us probably cannot! She is one of the few Girls who kept there bracelet at the OCRWC 2018 and at the Eurochamps in 2017 she took bronze in her age catagory.

My most precious moment With Helle are With no doubt or trip to Spartan World champs in Lake Tahoe 2017. I was suppose to travel With Marie Kloster, but because she got sick, Helle stepped in on very short notice. And oh what fun we had. That trip will always shine like a Diamond in my heart. Another trip I also must mention, is the glamping trip With Superman at Aston Down in 2017! So much fun, and elite podium on Helle and me together!!!! Crazy stuff!

IMG_2384.JPG


Name/Age/Team/Country:

Helle Skrataas, 33 years old, Team OCR Norway

Instagram:

@frk_skrataas

What brought you in to this sport:

I saw an evening show on Norwegian TV there one of the hosts and one non-athletic guest was challenged to run the Tough Viking winter edt. in Åre, Sweden. I saw their run and I thought, WOW! That looks though, I want to try!!

I googeled Tough Viking and discovered OCR! Ran my first OCR in May 2015, the Tough Viking at Tryvann in Oslo, it was cold, rainy, even snow in the air (in May!), but it was fantastic!! I managed all the obstacles and I was hooked.Since then I have run a lot of races and the good sportsmanship is just extraordinary for this sport! Everyone helps and cheer each other on throughout the course, and that makes me so happy!!

Favorite race:

There is hard to pick one! There are so many cool races and they all got their own charm! Since I love obstacles, I really like Bootcamp survivor, Toughest, the European Champs course and the world champs course, they are just packed with a lot of cool obstacles. But I also must mention Spartan races, the really make you work hard with lots of hills, carries and technical obstacles.

Favorite obstacle/venue:

Give me a multirig and I’m happy! Give me several rigs and I’m as happy as a little girl at Christmas!

How is your training:

I don’t really follow a plan or program with my training. I do what I like to do. So I run 2-3 times a week, trail running, interval running, and some times I run to/from work to squeeze in a little session on a busy day. I also love to climb, and that is excellent for your grip strength.  I climb 2-3 times a week, now in the winter it’s most sports climbing inside, but in the summer it’s outside, both sports and trad climbing. But I also go to the gym to improve or mostly maintain my body strength.

What I really fancy about this sport is that you must be an allrounder. It demands strength, endurance, agility, technique and mental strength, and that motivates me.

Do you have a life motto you live by:

I have lived, and I have learned a few things. The most important is that you are responsible for your own happiness! If you are not happy about where you are, only YOU can make a change to it. Do what makes you happy and surround yourself with people that loves you and respect you for who you are.

Your goals for 2019:

I will try to qualify for the OCR European and world championship 2019.

15. december - Lillian Dramsdahl

Mari Weider

When you read this I am probably on my way to celebrate my achievement on Iceland with this amazing girl and my first ocr crush Mona Strande. It is Monas Christmas party, and I think this is gonna be crazy fun….like it always is ;)

Lillian - were shall I start...she is so so dear to me. I really love this girl, and she is one of my biggest heros. Plus...every time I see her back, my eyes pop out, my chin falls down...and I start to drool! She just looks like a million bucks...and then some! One time I took a photo of her back when she climbed a rope, showed it to her - and she said “oh is that how I look? I have never seen my back before!” That is how Lillian is...”oh I haven’t tried that, I don’t know if I can do it....” and then she always (!) go and smash it! I don’t think there is one sport that Lillian hasn’t tried...and there is not much she doesn’t ace! I can talk for hours and hours about Lillian...and so can she :) Like in Tahoe when we were interviewed by Coach Joe Di...”I don’t know what to say”, she said....Hehe well that was the joke of the day, because it was Joe Di who didn’t got to say so much!! Lillian was way to bissy telling him about OCR, yoga and underwater rugby;)

My favorite moment with Lillian...I have no idea! I just collect every single one, put them deep into my heart and take them out when I need to smile! 

IMG_7719.JPG

Name, age and team/country:

Lillian Dramsdahl, 45, Team OCR Norway, Norway

Instagram/web:

Lillid73

What brought you into this sport:

A friend of mine asked me to join her team for Viking Race in 2013. It was fun, but didn't make me do more runs. The awakening happened in 2015, when I was asked to join a team 2 days prior an X-run race. The race was so much fun! The two guys I ran with, were fantastic! They cheered me on the whole way and were at such a good spirit!! Those guys!! And there I met Mari!! After this encounter, I couldn't get enough of this sport!

Favorite race:

Spartan!! And because I am not a sprinter, they must be 12 km + +!

Favorite obstacle/venue:

Hills and carrying where I get so exhausted that I really feel live! I also enjoy combination obstacles (multi rigs), even though they by far are my strength. Mastering new obstacles outside my comfort zone gives me great pleasure!

How is your training:

Without a plan... A little bit of everything. Running, lifting weights, underwaterrugby, cycling my Fatbike, kettlebell, yoga, climbing... What makes me happy!!

Do you have a life motto you live by:

No, but I have learnt from a good friend to ask myself: Does this make you happy? So I do a lot of what makes me happy. And I also try to do good to others. I feel sad for all those who struggle in life. Both friends, and also my young students. I want them to be happy in life, and to be strong to handle life's struggles.

Your goal for 2019:

Not the same as in 2018, which was crazy!!! In 2019 I want to have fun!! I want to visit my brother and enjoy the mountains in Northern Norway with him both during winter and summer with Randonee, telemark skiing, ice- and rock climbing.  More scuba diving! Maybe some PRs in lifting weights. And of course more Spartan races!!! I want a Trifecta!!!!

14. desember - Rea Kolbl

Mari Weider

I cannot wait anymore. «Save the best for last» - or just bring her in the midle! Or who am I to say who is best or not...at least I am a huge fan of this girl! I have seen her twice in Lake Tahoe, and just finally dared to go up to her and say «Hi» this december in Iceland. And guess what - she was totally as sweet and humble as everybody else!! Its so strange, because to me she is a big hero, but I guess she just sees herself as a normal girl. Still gave me lots of energy seeing her in the middle of the dark night in Iceland. Just a few weeks ago she won the worlds toughest mudder, and still came to Iceland to cheer on and help out in the changing areas!

Name/age/country:

Rea Kolbl, United States, Spartan Pro Team (but originally from Slovenia)

Instagram/web:

@reakolbl

What brought you into this sport? 

I grew up as a gymnast but when I quit after 11 years I gained a lot of weight. To lose weight and get healthy again I picked up running and quickly fell in love with trails. After a few years of slowly building my running mileage, I came across a Spartan Race on groupon and did it with a few of my friends. I loved it but thought nothing more of it as a fun event, until I returned in 2016 and raced in Elite. I did really well and figured I'd give this sport a more serious try :) 

 Favorite race?

Spartan Killington Beast & World's Toughest Mudder

I guess I also like longer race - 8 hour Toughest Mudders are my favorite, but anything over 10 miles is fun.

Favorite venue/obstacle?

Killington & Tahoe. Favorite obstacle: Stacks (Tough Mudder) and Tarzan Swing (Spartan Killington exclusive)

How is Your training?

I run about 80-90 miles a week in the mornings, all an trails and with considerable elevation gain. In the afternoons I do OCR specific workouts that focus on upper body strength, heavy carry abilities, and general strength. Three times a week I follow Yancy Camp workouts; on the remaining 4 days it's a combination of strength, carry workouts, and cross training such as biking or low impact cardio machines.

Do you have a life motto you live by?

There's a silver lining in everything :)

Your goal for 2019?

Go through the season uninjured, have fun at (most) of the races, and be the first person to win WTM three times in a row

 

13. desember - Cathrine Mortvedt

Mari Weider


Lucky me who get to know so many amazing people through OCR! This girl I have followed on instagram for a while but first met her at Navy Race this year. And how sweet she was! A really good person, caring for everybody - and again so humble when it comes to her own achievements. She has worked out for many years, and has gotten to know her body well, and I think that is one of the big secrets to why the more grown up athletes still does so good in this sport. It demands so much on different levels, and when you really know your body good - you perform well too!

Name, age and team/country:

Cathrine Mortvedt, 40 years, Norway

Instagram/web:

@Aktivmamma

What brought you into this sport:

The quest for new challenges. I wanted to try something new and different. I loved it for the first time

Favorite race:

It’s has to be the OCR world championship

Favorite obstacle/venue:

I’m a big fan of the rings

How is your training:

My workout is very versatile. I have a combination of running, strength-training and CrossFit during my week.

Do you have a life motto you live by:

I’m not training to be young, but old

Your goal for 2019:

To keep my wristband in the OCR world championship and to be in top 10 in my age group

12. desember - Nicola Callison

Mari Weider

I think many of you know that a big part of My heart has been left in the UK. Nicola has a little part of it. She is a supersweet girl, who is a machine on the course. We started together with Spartan races, but the last two years she has fallen more and more in love with endurance races, and travels around to run loooong. She had been in Australia, and the last two years attended the WTM! Lucky her! Maybe I might Get lucky and Get to run with her in that race one day! Until then - we always have UK - Thank god! 

Name/age/country: 

Nicola Callison, 27, European reviewer for Obstacle racing media, Scotland🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Instagram/web:

@colacxlli

What brought you into this sport:

I did a Spartan for fun in Edinburgh 3 years ago, I’d never realised OCR was even a sport! After one I fell in love and started competing properly in 2016/17

Favorite race:

True Grit Enduro, Sydney Australia

Favorite obstacle/venue:

Obstacle: Double Rainbow (Tough Mudder)

Venue: True Grit Enduro - the trails are super fun!

How is your training:

My training is very erratic due to my job- I’m an auditor/qualified accountant by day and it takes up ALOT of my time! But mostly I do hard HIIT circuit training, I don’t run as often as I should as I have so many knee and ITB issues that I find I can never keep up a structured running programme unfortunately (but most of the races I do well in fall into ultra distance OCR category purely because of my mental grit to get my head down and slog on- guess it’s not all about pounding the pavements getting the mileage in prep)

Do you have a life motto you live by:

‘What doesn’t challenge you won’t change you!’

Your goal for 2019:

Top 10 Pro women @ OCRWC Enduro

65 miles WTM/Top 15 female finish

11. desember - Toril Egner

Mari Weider

Finally we come to the girl that defined OCR girl crush for me. I first met Toril at Farm Ninja Challenge, but didnt talk so much with her. She was a shy and quiet girl. But the more time I spend with her the more respect I got for her. She is funny and Sweet - and eventually turns out to be quite a monkey! One day we were in Hinderskogen practicing for the OCRWC when she suddenly turns up. In 2XU tights that really looked smashing on her. She had me already there, with her long blond hair and big smile! We were playing with the stairways to heaven, and Superman did it his way. He took one step at the time with his hands, and then Toril said - that looked easy! Then she took off her jacket, still in her smashing tights and now a tight top too...and as I stood there drooling she flew up the stairs just like Superman. And I was like...”I’m in love!”

I am super proud to present to you this definition of OCR girl crush, a smashing hot woman, a strong and superb monkey!!! 

 Name/age/country:

Toril Egner, 35, OCR Norway

Insta:

@torilegner

What brought you into this sport?

I have always done a lot of different sports, skiing, climbing, swimming, but I’ve never been really good at anything. When I joined a colleague and his team at Toughest Holmenkolenin 2017 I had so much fun. I figured OCR is the perfect sport for me. Now I’ve done quite a lot of races this season and I love it even more. I want to see how good I can get.

Favorite race:

Toughest races, because I like technical obstacles. And I like the fast line concept.

Favorite obstacle:

Multi rigs, monkey bars

Training:

I think climbing and doing “ninja stuff” is the most fun. I have two girls, 8 and 10, and we do a lot of playing together. But I need to work on my running so I plan to run or go cross country skiing at least three times a week this winter.

Life motto:

Finding a balance between fun training, family life and just chilling.

Goal for 2019:

Top 20 at Toughest races, dear to do the flying monkey at races and run 10 k in sub 45. Try some new Norwegian races and also I would like to try a Spartan race.

8. desember - MariNetta

Mari Weider

«Tøffeste fjellvetta med fletta!» 

Today I am actually going to be so rude as to take the blog for me and Anette. The wait is over, its been almost 365 days for us to Get our revench. We both have a thing or two to get even with her on Iceland. Plus - I think we are pretty awesome taking on this challenge one more time.

To speak for myself, I fell a little bit in love with the long, crazy races last year. I am not the fastest one in the course and I am not the most teqniqual - but I can keep on going, for hours and hours. That is why I enjoyed every moment last December in Hveragardi. I am gonna miss my girls, but this year I need to focus on my self and my goals. I am always afraid to say my dreams out loud - but still - they are my dreams and this year I have 3 pretty hairy ones:

  • make the 50 miles patch
  • Make the podium in age
  • Qualify for Spartan European championship and OCRWC

Time will show if these goals are over ambitious - they probably are, and I am going to fight for them. But I am willing to give it a fight!

About Anette - she is our girl in the elite start, and I am super excited to see what she can make of today. She is faster than me, she is filled with energy and she is ready to get her revench from last year. She slept for a few hours last year, but this year she has pit crew and going to be pushed hard. To make the 50 miles for her will be “easy” (nothing is easy in Iceland!), but the question is - can she push beyond the 50 miles, and can she reach top 5??

She too has a few hairy dreams, and since she probably is long gone into the competition zone I will reveal them too here:

  • perform so that I am satisfied with my own job
  • At least make the 50 miles patch
  • Top 5 elite

To make our dreams come true we need to work and push all through the night, so please follow us on @ocrqueen and @netta_netto    and give us some positivity through the dark hours!

Aroo!

 

7. desember - Marwa Al Wadhahi

Mari Weider

While I am on my way to the cold north of Iceland, we are getting exotic and warm here on the blog. Of course I know most girls from Scandinavia, but I also have met many other amazing women on my journeys around the world. Maybe some of the people that I have met and that have made the deepest impressions are the men and not least women of team Oman and UEA. While we take it for granted to run OCR´s, it is not such a sure thing for these girls. They are so proud to be able to race, and proud to show that also girls can do the same as the boys. Last year a girl got injured during the team event, and I think there was not a dry eye in the whole of Lake tahoe when team UEA, team Oman and team Kuwait finished as ONE. They walked the whole way, backed eachouther up, and crossed the finishline with their flags high above their heads. I was so happy to meet some of the same people again in Lake Tahoe this year, and Marwa was one of them. Please enjoy and pay special attention to her words. Thank you Marwa!

IMG_7607.JPG

Name, age and team/country:

Marwa Al Wadhahi, 27, Oman


Instagram/web:

Instagram: maw91


What brought you into this sport:

My love for challenges, sports and trying my things. I’ve seen OCR in social media in a neighboring country and thought it was interesting and is something I would love to take part in. Luckily, shortly after that in 2016 the first OCR (Spartan) came in Oman and the sport started growing in the country & region.


Favorite race:

Spartan World Championship in 2017, it was my first OCR international experience. I loved it, I did two races (one individual, one team). It was amazing, the long grueling terrain going up and down multiple mountains was definitely tiring but worth it, a distance which I never ran before, new obstacles, long painful carries, the cold weather & the swim in the ice-cold water was a first time challenge for me as I come from a country that is hot most of the year. I overcame some fears such as hypothermia but thankfully I managed to complete the race and maintained positive thoughts.

The pride of representing Oman in the first ever World Team Championship along with my teammates was indescribable. Being part of teams deciding to unite & support each other throughout the team race due to injury was exemplary of community & support in sports. Meeting people and running against professional athletes from around the world was awesome. The cheering crowd at the finish line, my experience in Tahoe was unmatched overall. BEST RACE EXPERIENCE EVER!


Favorite obstacle/venue:

I love challenging obstacles that I almost can/can’t do and other obstacales that allows team work in non-competitive heats. I did an OCR for women only last year and this year, coming from a conservative community, the feeling of taking a team women doing OCRs for the first time and completing it. The amazing feeling of kick-off their OCR journey & making them know that they can achieve such great things and have fun at the same time, seeing people transform and go hard later is just heart-warming and so motivating.

My favorite venue would be Lake Tahoe, it’s was very different from the regional races, Simply amazing!


How is your training:

I train regularly almost every day with some rest days. I practice multiple sports such as OCRs, Crossfit, Soccer & Pole fitness. I lift weights, do obstacles, climb ropes, run, jump, do pullups, gymnastic kind of moves and various things from time to time.


Do you have a life motto you live by:

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you”


Your goal for 2019:

- Competitively compete in the Spartan World Championship & other regional races

- Continue to participate in the Women only race and empower more women to join the community and get active

- Participate in more OCRs (Spartan, Tough Mudder, National obstacles series, Wadi Adventure Race…etc.)

- I’d love to do something different and special to help grow fitness & outdoor sports more in the community

6. desember - Hanne Morken

Mari Weider

Finally today I am proud to present to you Hanne! I cannot exactly remember the first time we met, but what I cannot forget is the fire in her eyes when she danced through the obstacles of OCRWC 2017. How she got stuck and roared out “move”! to the poor guy who was too slow in front of her. Hanne is a humble and quiet girl, yet she is never afraid to speak her mind, and you dont pick on her! She knows what she wants and she goes all inn. She is a warmhearted person, and she is easy to fall in love with. I am so happy for all the supercool memories I have with this girl in 2018, and I am excited about what 2019 will bring for her. (but I was most proud seeing her in OCRWC 2018 running in the teamvest for team OCR Norway - so proud to have you on our team Hanne!)

Name, age and team/country:

Hanne Morken, 22 years old from Norway 

Instagram/web:

Hmorken on instagram

What brought you into this sport:

It started with a challenge from a friend in 2016. My first race was Tough Viking in Holmenkollen, and lets say it has been some races after that 🙊

Favorite race:

I haven’t tried so many different races yet, but I am a huge fan of the concept in Toughest. But this year I want to try more Norwegian races! 

Favorite obstacle/venue:

Hm, I think that must be Stairways to heaven or Nunchucks. Difficult and hard obstacles, but even better feeling to beat them!

How is your training:

Pretty much everything I want to! I try to do a lot of running sessions, some times swimming and a lot of strength and climbing

Do you have a life motto you live by:

Attitude is everything! 😎

Your goal for 2019:

Right now am I injured, so I just hope to be injured-free before the season starts. Then my goal is to qualify for the OCREC and OCRWC

5. desember - Maja Wellner

Mari Weider

Now Maja is a girl I dont really know so well. I first met her at a ninja competition at Farm Ninja Challenge. We just called her “the Swedish girl”. She was too good…. In the beginning of the competition we didn’t follow her so close, we just noticed that she was really good - and a fast monkey! Of course she managed to easy get from stage 1 till stage 2, and of course also to stage3. But know there was a a lot of grips and more technical challenges, which all the girls struggled a bit with. So that actually made it a little bit more exciting…but still she beat us - not so easy - but still! Her team is Team Kroppslabbet, so that of course explains it, but still it is an achievement to be a good monkey. And also to combine it with running, gives her that extra respect. As I said, this years 15 km course in age groups at OCRWC was brutal, but this girl not only finished with her bracelet - she finished nr 23 in PRO! Well done Maja, and I hope to get to know you better at the next Ninja competition ;)

 Name, age and team/country:

Maja Wellner, 22 years old, Team Kroppslabbet, Sweden


Instagram/web:

@majawellner

What brought you into this sport:

It seemed like a great challenge and I liked that it required you to be both a good runner and have good strength to able to succeed on the obstacles.

Favorite race:

Toughest and OCR World Championship.

Favorite obstacle/venue:

Spinning wheels and rigs.


How is your training:

My goal is to train 5-6 days every week, with a mix of running (both intervals and slow pace distance) and strength with mostly focus on grip, core and pull ups of different variations.

Do you have a life motto you live by:

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to peruse them.”

Your goal for 2019:

To compete in the OCR World Championship once again.

4. desember - Anette Heimli Jokstad

Mari Weider

So this girl is amazing! Like all the other ladies I have picked for this calender! She is humble and a bit shy, doesn’t think much of herself, quiet - but then she finds a rig - you are blown away. We first met the day before X-run in 2016, and she was curious of the sport. She was a former footballplayer, and wanted to try OCR. A year later she placed 15 (!) in Toughest Oslo! She is not only a great obstacle racer, but she is also fast! Unfortunatly she has been out with injury this season - but now she is back playing monkey were ever she can, and she is also back in the running shoes. I am so looking forward to seeing what 2019 will bring. And btw…did you know she could fly??? Her PB flying monkey at Farm Ninja Challenge was with 2.6 metres…and she made it look easy!!!

Name, age and team/country:

Anette Heimli Jokstad, 30, Team OCR Norway and Velledalen IL

Instagram:

@anetteheimlijokstad

What brought you into this sport:

I have always loved different kind of sports, and after watching an OCR race in 2015, I became very fascinated by all the versatile athletes. I got a knee injury in in 2015 that forced me to stop playing football. I had to do something else and OCR was therefore the natural choice for me. The combination of running, strength and fun is perfect!

Favorite race:

Toughest and Bootcamp survivor Hønefoss

Favorite obstacle/venue:

Flying monkey and roman rings

How is your training:

Mostly running and one or two sessions with fullbody strength every week. I often use different outdoor gyms called “tuftepark” for grip strength. In addition to this my boyfriend and I also visit different OCR facilities around Oslo, such as Farm Ninja Challenge, Bootcamp Hønefoss and Hinderskogen.

Do you have a life motto you live by:

Think less, live more

Your goal for 2019:

Top 5 in a Toughest race and stay injury-free

3. desember - Linda Pilerud

Mari Weider

It is getting close to Spartan Ultra World Championship 2018 on Iceland. There is one girl missing, who should have been there - Linda. She is my Spartan-girl-crush. She is a fierce girl, not afraid to show off her muscles, and she loves a good carry. After many Spartan Championships I have learn to grow a deep love for this girl, she is so kind, down-to-earth and easy to be around. Also she is a great athlete - unfortunately for me she is in my age-group from 2019, so I need to step up my game to keep head to head with this Spartan Chick! Bring on 2019 Linda - cant wait to travel and explore the world further with you!

Name, age, country:

Linda Pilerud, 40 years old, Sweden

IG/ web:

@lindapilerud on IG and FB

What brought you into this sport:

I got a ticket for Tough Viking in Stockholm 2016 as a gift for Mothers Day, I was hooked from the start!!

Favorite race:

Since I love long, gritty races I have to say Spartan!

Favorite obstacle/ venue:

Favorite obstacle is ring walk..andropes… and heavy carries.. :D I love all venues that include steep climbs and technical trail running.

My training:

I work out more or less everyday because I love and it keeps me sane… I run 40- 60 k every week, mixed with a lot of crossfit and traditional weight training.

Life motto:

“If it excites you and scares you at the same time, it probably means you should do it”

Goal for 2019:

Next year I will hopefully do more longerraces, both Ultras and 24 hour races. I love mountain running so hoping to do a lot of that, would like to improve my trail running!

2. desember - Adna Tahirovic

Mari Weider

So today I am giving you a little treat! This girl is an up-and-coming star. She is young and she is hungry. I am actually not quite sure when I met her the first time, because she is very quiet and does not make a lot of fuss around herself. But after having spent some time with her, my respect for this girl is fast growing. We had an amazing trip together to Toughest in Gothenburg were she placed 23 of all girls - and for those of you who does not know Toughest, that is an awesome placement! She placed 7 in the qualifier heat too! And after qualifying for OCRWC she raced the 15 km with amazing results. Just 11% of the girls finished with their bracelet, she managed - but unfortunately came in 8 (!) minutes after the deadline of 4 hours. Next year Adna - I know 2019 will be a crazy year for her - and I cannot wait to follow her journey!

 

Name, age and team/country:

Adna Tahirovic, 24 years old. I´m living in Norway and running for Team OCR Norway.

Instagram/web:

On my instagram@adnatahirovic I share photos/videos from my training, races and my daily life.

What brought you into this sport:

I had my first OCR race in june 2018, on Tough Viking in Oslo. I saw some videos on You tube from the race, and wanted to challenge myself. Then I persued a friend to go with me. From this day I was addicted. It has never since been option to not do OCR races again. On the race I also qualified for European Championships in Esbjerg. Then my more serious approach to OCR racing started.

I played handball when I was younger, and have always worked out. I love all kind of sport, but OCR was something different.It wake up a passion in me I didn´ t know I had.

Favorite race:

I haven´t tested out so many different kind of races yet. I ran Tough Viking, Toughest, Navy race, OCREC and OCRWC. I liked them all. If I need to pick one I would say OCRWC 15k.

Favorite obstacle/venue:

hmm..this was a difficult question…The strange thing with obstacles is that you hate them so much when you can´t figure out how to complete them, but then after completing the obstacles… It´s like….one love <3

How is your training:

I don´t have a strict training plan. I have always worked out a lot, running both intervalls and longer running sessions combined with strength training. I have also trained Krav Maga, but stopped when I started with OCR (needed to save my hands for OCR haha).

Now I do the same as before, but I do more grip training in my strength sessions. I also try to do more of the long running- sessions than before.

Do you have a life motto you live by:

Do whatever makes YOU happy, and don´ t let anyone or anything stop you ;)

Your goal for 2019:

My goal for 2019 is definitely to run more races than in 2018. I also want to try some Spartan races. One of my goals must be to try to complete all obstacles during races, to avoid penalty rounds or burpees (not my favorite excercise).

1. desember - Mona Strande

Mari Weider

Mona is my number one all time girl crush!

My first meeting with Mona was at Tough Viking at Tryvann in 2014. The year the weather was totally crazy. It was raining and snowing, it was so cold that they had to close the swim…in May! Mona ran past me while I was struggeling with my log at the log carry. It was so heavy and when I first lost it, I could not get it up again. But as usual, Mona was on an easy run past me, looking like she was on a Sunday stroll with her little stick. I had to look her up on the results to find her name, because both me and Superman had noticed her…and kind of fell a bit in love!

From that race, the three of us have had so many amazing moments, races, trips, dinners - and we always laugh. We laugh and we cry and we hug and we drink wine - all while Martin and Mona are looking for the best place to eat a decent steak!

I choose to start this calendar with Mona, not just because she is my number one all time girl crush, but because she is one of the most fair girls I have met. She has a really high winning mentality, but she is always fair. She is an excellent runner, she is fast, have great endurance, she is strong and she is great on the obstacles. She always cheer on her fellow competitors and she builds people up. And she is always happy. She is smiling, and even though something is wrong and unfair, she takes it up with the right people instead of moaning about it to everybody else.

My favorite moment with Mona…how can I pick one…there are so many - but maybe our trip to Strong Viking in the Netherlands in 2016 - our first meeting with the obstacles of Strong Viking - totally crazy trip. But as usual - we laughed, we cried, we drank wine - and ate a seriously good steak!

FullSizeRender.jpg

Name, age and team/country:

Mona Strande, 37, Team Milslukern Driv Trening / OCR Norway


Instagram/web:

@monastrande

What brought you into this sport?

The playfulness, the unique combination of strength and speed needed to perform, and more smiles at every venue than I've ever seen in any other sport.

Favourite race?

Spartan Beast, or any race between 15K and 40K with a lot of hills, rough terrain and heavy stuff to carry along the way.

Favourite obstacle / venue?

Any obstacle that requires overall, consistent body strength, i.e. not just forearms and grip. Venue? Give me mountains, and I'm happy.

How is your training?

Versatile. I do what makes me happy. Very often that means hours of trail running or xc-skiing. I also love lifting heavy weights in the gym. But almost any outdoor activity or sport makes me smile, which I find is a great advantage when my goal is a limitless body.

Do you have a life motto you live by?

I don't, but I've learned a few things in life! ;-b The most important thing is that you are responsible for your own happiness! Listen to your heart, don't compare yourself to others (especially not on Instagram!), live a life you're excited about and surround yourself with people who respects your passion or drive. Choose a partner in life that can see it if you try to conceal the real you - and embrace that blessing instead of fearing it. Create a home where you feel grounded. Then, you can navigate through any storm or jump toward any star without losing yourself - or your passion.

Your goal for 2019?

My goal is to be the best me I can be. And to challenge my limits in everything I do, of course ;-)

My OCR girl crushes

Mari Weider

From today and the rest of December the blog will be in English. Please excuse that my English is not perfect but I will do my best!

Tomorrow is first of December and I cannot wait to present to you my Advent Calendar! I have for a long time wanted to present to you my girlcrushes within OCR. Don’t misunderstand, when I say girlcrushes I mean the girls I admire not only for their talent within the sport, but also for their personality and for being amazing role models for the rest of us.

I admire seeing talented people within all sports, from track and fields, to handball to winter sports - but my game is OCR. Of course I find it crazy fun to see the men fly through the obstacles, but what really makes my goosebumps rise is the girls who do the same! I have travelled a lot, met many people from all around the world, and one of the thing that is common for them all is the love for this sport and the humbleness they show. They are genuine happy for not only their victories, but also for the things they achieve, they also always have time to include other people, give advice, socialize and help the sport develope . They fight, are strong and amaze me with all their actions.  

I hope you will enjoy this Calender as much as I did making it! 

Love Mari

 

Blir du lykkeligere i livet av å løfte 80 kg?

Mari Weider

Noen ganger blir jeg bare så utrolig overrasket over noen mennesker. For 20-30 år siden (herregud så gammel jeg er!) trente jeg det jeg ville for gøy. Jeg løp turer i skogen alene og bare nøt løpeturen, jeg trente spinning med morsomme instruktører og ble engasjert av menneskene som var med på timene, jeg løp intervaller på mølla uten mål og mening, trente styrke fordi vi syntes det var gøy - og herjet på div aerobictimer og hadde en fest hver eneste gang.

Så ble jeg 35 og kjent med folk innen fitness og kroppsbyggermiljøet - der ble jeg kjent med markløft, knebøy og benkpress - og plutselig var trening blitt noe man målte i kg og repetisjoner. Jeg fallt igjennom på både teknikk og styrke. Så ble jeg 38 og begynte å løpe hinderløp, da ble jeg kjent med soner, intervaller, langkjøring - og igjen fallt jeg igjennom, denne gangen på distanse og hurtighet.

Nå er jeg 42 år gammel og trening måles i antall økter i uka, antall kg man løfter, hvor mange minutter man kan henge dødt, hvor mange repetisjoner man kan ta i hangups eller chinups - den måles i enten kilometer eller minutter/timer ute i skogen og hvilke soner man har nådd eller ikke nådd. En god treningsøkt er ikke nødvendigvis den som kjennes god ut, men den er først god om man har holdt seg innen sonen. Har man ikke det er treningsøkta strengt tatt bortkastet har jeg hørt…

Så idag mens jeg sutret over at jeg kun løftet 60 kg i markløft pga hamstringen min, sier en kollega til meg

“Blir du lykkeligere i livet av å løfte 80 kg?”

“Er ikke det viktigste å være frisk og løfte det som kjennes bra for kroppen?”

Hun liret av seg en lang lekse til - og plutselig følte jeg meg ikke som 42 mer, men mer som 16. En trassig 16 åring som absolutt på død og liv må klare ditt eller datt koste hva det koste vil. Barnslig rett og slett, og jeg kjente nesten at skamrosene brant litt i kinnene. Men samtidig godt å høre også. For livene våre idag spinner rundt andre sine prestasjoner på instagram, snap og facebook. Man leser blogger om andres vellykkede treningsøkter, og ser ned på sine egne prestasjoner. Jeg bør vel kanskje prøve å ta til meg det hun sa, og være fornøyd med at kroppen min er sunn og frisk, uten (så mange) vondter - og at jeg både kan løpe, løfte og leke med barna mine. Så spiller det (kanskje?) liten trille om jeg løfter 60 - 80 eller 100 kg i markløft!

Nå skal jeg kose meg med gjengen som skal til Island, og imorgen skal jeg på langkjøring med et par som skal være med dit - og da er det jeg som styrer tempoet - så får det gå så sakte det bare vil! Jeg skal heller holde sonen min (!) og holde ut distansen, enn å brenne meg ut og ikke komme til mål!

KlemMari

FullSizeRender.jpg

Bobler over....

Mari Weider

God morgen søteste! Nattevakt nr 4 av 6 er i boks og bare det er jo nok til å juble. To igjen og så litt velfortjent fri som selvfølgelige skal øremerkes trening! Løpe, løpe, løpe og enda litt til styrke. Jeg trenger å gi kroppen min alt den trenger for å prestere best mulig på Island, løpetrening for å holde ut belastningen med et døgns arbeid, styrke for å holde ut alt det Joe de Sena måtte ha klart å rote frem til oss og hvile for å være klar til å jobbe.

Endelig er påmeldingen min på G også! Tok sin tid å få alle kodene mine og jeg må jammen innrømme at det begynte å stresse meg litt. Men nå er fly, hotell og påmelding på plass - mangler bare siste mailen fra Spartan nå med utstyrsliste og siste info. Har en følelse av at det skal bli interessant å ta seg til venuen iår, men heldigvis er vi jo flere som skal avgårde så alt ordner seg.

Ellers har jeg et lite spennende prosjekt på gang. Noe jeg har hatt lyst til lenge og som jeg håper dere kommer til å digge like mye som meg! Håper alt går i boks, og da gleder jeg meg så til å dele med dere <3

Ha en deilig dag alle sammen

IMG_0863.JPG

Går rykter om at disse gutta også kommer - så da er det bare å håpe på en dobbel-sandwich-mega-klem fra team UK! 

I fullt forfall!

Mari Weider

Work, train, eat, sleap - repeat!

Jeg vet at det tidvis blir litt patetisk med sånne ordspill osv som gjentas til det kjedsommelige på ulike sosiale medier, men seriøst - det der er livet om dagen. I et tappert forsøk på å få formen nogenlunde på rett kjøl etter å ha ligget brakk alt for lenge må jeg innrømme at jeg skvetter når jeg ser meg i speilet. Fett hår i en tufs på toppen av hodet, gjerne med en liten hårlokk på avveier (det er jo tross alt ikke vits å vaske håret før etter neste treningsøkt, eller neste, eller…), hva sminke gjelder er jo et helt annet kapittel…de siste dagene har temperaturen synket under null grader, og dvs med litt svette underveis i løpeøkten ute dannes det kjapt lekre maskaraflekker under øynene og en kjapp strekk på sofaen når man kommer hjem resulterer i å gni disse flekkene ekstra utover. Og før neste treningsøkt bare pynter man litt på det hele. Mellom treningsøktene finner du frua i fosterstilling på sofaen, et tappert forsøk på å få 10 minutter hvile på øyelokket mens hun er pakket inn i minst 3 lag ulltepper for å få igjen varmen etter løpeturen i minusgrader - HEI vi gleder oss til Island! Det skal bli godt med 24 timer kulde, vind og regn!

IMG_5609.JPG

Skulle mot all formodning den lille søte hunden som er på husmorferie hos oss finne veien under sofaen, kommer den ut igjen kledelig dekorert med diverse dotter både her og der, det er nemlig ikke bare mor i huset som er i fullt forfall. Husarbeid er igjen plassert nederst på listen over nødvendige onder, det er viktigere å få oppdatert Strava og sjekket at pulssonene har vært på plass. Foruten dotter under sofaen er resten av huset dekorert med et stadig tilbakevendende tynt lag av sand ispedd disse fantastiske plastknottene man får som gratis suvenirer på div fotballbaner. Det er fascinerende hvordan den evige krigen mot sand og knotter til stadig går i remis, det er komplett umulig å vinne!

IMG_1067.JPG

Hva gjelder klær skal det ikke stå på utvalget, ull i alle mulige varianter, tights i alle farger og lengder, turbukser, kosebukser, treningsbukser - men det absolutte favoritten til frua nå om dagen er den nyinnkjøpte elsk-på-onepiecen fra Norrøna. Herregud så digg, ull, i en lekker turkis farge, med hendig åpning bak (!) så man strengt tatt aldri trenger å ta den av. Utrolig praktisk når man kan ta den på etter siste treningsøkt, legge seg, stå opp og lage frokost, for så å hoppe til sengs igjen for en aldri så liten cowboystrekk før løpeturen. #elsk …men litt usikker om Superman er like fan ;)

Men trene, det har vi fått gjort litt av siste uken, og nå er det bare to uker igjen til jul…jeg mener Island!

KlemMari

IMG_1042.JPG

Hei Bloggen!

Mari Weider

Long time no see! Har du savnet meg??? Jeg har ihvertfall savnet deg! Ikke en dag går forbi uten at et innlegg fylles opp i hodet mitt. Men dagene og ukene siden VM i England har bare flydd forbi. Rumpevondt og mammahjerte er stikkordene. Jeg har forsøkt å tenke positivt på å ikke løpe, men heller trene styrke mot Island. Jeg vet fra ifjor at det er det mentale som teller mest om 3 uker. Når mørket siger på og det blir glissent mellom hver gang du ser noen, det er da hodet må skrus på og det mentale må kicke inn. Ifjor løp jeg over halve løpet med Johnny og for en drøm det var. Johnny som smiler og ler hele tiden (unntatt de siste rundene med bucket-carry da;), det blir ensomt i mørket uten han og jeg håper det er noen andre det viser seg at jeg kan slå følge med. Plutselig er vi flere fininger som reiser fra Norge, så mange mennesker som kan fylle opp mørket med latter. Det blir såååå bra. I tillegg har jeg fått nyss om at hele crewet til Spartan UK kommer, herregud så godt det var å høre det! Ifjor hadde Matt og Louise oppgave i å gi meg klem hver gang jeg passerte monkeybaren - med eller uten burpees. Og de innfridde hver eneste gang <3

 

Uansett løping eller ikke, rumpevondten er kansje litt bedre, det er deilig å komme litt igang med styrken igjen også, ifjor var det 2 sandbagcarries, 1 bucket carry, farmers walk og atlaskule hver runde. Så styrke er ingen ulempe å  trene nå. I til…

Uansett løping eller ikke, rumpevondten er kansje litt bedre, det er deilig å komme litt igang med styrken igjen også, ifjor var det 2 sandbagcarries, 1 bucket carry, farmers walk og atlaskule hver runde. Så styrke er ingen ulempe å  trene nå. I tillegg ble det latterlig tungt å komme over enkle hinder som nettet og benderen hver runde også. 

 

IMG_5566.JPG

Ellers har mammahjertet hatt det travelt om dagen og. Jeg er travelt opptatt med å sitte med en jente i hver armkrok! Misforstå meg rett, det er ikke akkurat sofaen jeg har slitt ut mest siste ukene, men når jeg kan, ja da prioriteres det! Men jeg lover, jeg skal ikke svikte deg altså Bloggen! Jeg er jo så glad i deg! 

KlemMari

 

Dagens økt? - en slags dynamisk oppvarming ;)- strakmark/stående roing- markløft/skulderrehab- utfall/fronthev- 25 minutter gange på mølle med incline og 2 x 16 kettlebell i intervaller på 1 minutt av gangen- uttøying + chinsSå enkelt, så effektivt!

Dagens økt? 

- en slags dynamisk oppvarming ;)

- strakmark/stående roing

- markløft/skulderrehab

- utfall/fronthev

- 25 minutter gange på mølle med incline og 2 x 16 kettlebell i intervaller på 1 minutt av gangen

- uttøying + chins

Så enkelt, så effektivt!

Thank you so much everybody!!! #ocrfamily

Mari Weider

Just this needs to be in english...many have asked me if I could write in English...but difficult to always do that. 

But this weekend...were shall I start... 

 

IMG_9797.JPG

I will take the long recap a bit later, but this is important for me to get off my heart! So many of you asked me - How did it go? And some ment “how did the stairway go?” - well it smacked my ass as usual...but I gave it quite a fight this year before I caved in. But most of you mean - how did Karoline do?

 

IMG_9803.JPG

For the first time in her life she stood on the start line in an international championship. Racing the Qualifier heat, but qualified for age-group start. I  grateful though that we went for journeyman. Maybe it was a bit to long...or yes it was. She was a queen the first 10 km, she carried the heavy sandbag all the long way in the woods, she jumped over the high fences, she carried and draged more heavy stuff, chains, farmers walk and more. She aced different monkey bars, conquered her fear for the steep slide, she drove the zip line, and she made it through so much mud it was Mr Mouse and Tough guy worthy! 

 

IMG_9206.JPG

But at the hoist the bracelet disappears, tears came down her face, she was devastated, angry and ran as fast as she could - from there it was heavy, stairways to heaven, more mud, long runs all alone in the woods, a platinum rig that was changed to a difficult version, verjagen saga with crazy spinning wheels, there were high rigs and more running, more mud and slippery obstacles that became scary when covered in mud. There were more tears, fighting, kilometer after kilometer until the last obstacle - the gigant last wall...with even more slippery ropes. I got easy up, but I saw fear and tears when I met her eyes. But I also saw all the love from our OCR family. So many from our team, so many that we love were there waiting for us, pepping her - I became strong as a lion, asked her to hold on - we were going up that last wall - no matter what! 

 

IMG_9189.JPG

I literally draged her up - but what I was told today was that people started to talk - “let’s get her up”, started to move forward to help her. Everybody wanted to see her over. When I hear stuff like that - my heart explodes with love, love for a sport, a community that is so special! That cheers, helps out and stands up for the ones who need it! 

IMG_9193.JPG

On top of the world, a big step on a start to a new OCR adventure. So much conquard in a little under 5 hours. So much feelings, laughter, smiles, proudness, tears, anger, fatigue and then again - smile and happiness in the end. 

 

IMG_9158.JPG

To everybody we met on the course, to all the volutairs cheering on us, to Superman, Nora and Sharon who followed us around, to team OCR Norway who waited for us until the bitter end, to Hege who always are a big smile, to Graham for fixing her tears befor start, to Dry-robe for keeping her warm after the race, to everybody who reads this and know that they have been there for us this weekend - THANK YOU, it ment so much for us, for Karoline - keeping us warm, when times got hard and cold! 

And thank you Rachelanne and OCRWC for giving us an amazing event and another epic OCR experience <3

 

Lots of hugs and love from  

Karoline and me

 

IMG_9230.JPG