The year was 2015 when I first registered to the Norseman ballot. A self-supported, point to point, full ironman distance triathlon with 5000+m elevation in the majestic Norwegian landscape: Fjords, Mountains, Lakes and…more mountains.

I had been doing short distance triathlon for 3 years and somehow thought I was up for a long-distance challenge. I would never know how right or wrong I was, since it took 8 attempts to finally get picked, and offered a slot in November 2023 (race day being Aug. 3rd, 2024). Eight years is enough time to become a different athlete (better or worse), to go through every single video on Youtube, and experience the Covid madness (I had caught the virus in 2021 and had stopped endurance training for 2 years).

Thousands of people enter that ballot every year and only 290 get a lucky entry. There was simply no way I would have passed on that opportunity, so off I went back to training for what would be my first full distance triathlon.

My next priorities were:

· Train and build up slowly enough to avoid injury

· Sort out logistics: Bike choice, kit lists etc…

· Find 2 people crazy enough to be my support crew during the race. This is a crucial element. Support crew work hard during the whole race to provide nutrition, kit change as weather evolves, help with potential mechanical issues, and get to run along the athlete during the second part of the marathon. (a much-needed mental push)

TRAINING

I knew I was not in my best shape when I started my training cycle but was very confident, I would re-build my fitness with consistency and discipline. I also was convinced that training with a team would be helpful and inspiring. My FAWZ teammates and coaches did not disappoint, and I quickly realized I had made the right choice to be amongst them.

One of the main challenges I would face was training during summer months in Dubai which simply translated into being indoor full time.

My priority was to complete the race no matter how tired I might feel, and I approached it more as a personal challenge rather than a race.

LOGISTICS

Bike choice for a race like Norseman is critical due to the course profile. I owned a road bike but could not add aero bars. I chose to use my newly bought TT bike – Cervelo P series with SRAM force group set, 52/36, 10-34 cassette. It would take me some time to be comfortable riding and climbing on that bike, but the tradeoff was to save some power and leg fatigue for the run section.

SUPPORT CREW

John and Sindre had accepted to join me in that crazy adventure. John is an experienced triathlete who had already supported in the 2023 edition and Sindre had rowed across the Atlantic with 3 other friends. They were without a doubt the perfect crew I could have hoped to find.

RACE DAY

The day started with an early check-in of bikes in T1 as usual. What was less usual was boarding a ferry at 03:45 A.M on a majestic fjord to be taken to the swimming start where the iconic jump off the boat would happen.

This ride is probably the tensest moment of the day, as all athletes realize the time to execute has come. It is impossible to figure out what goes on in everyone’s head, however, it is clear they have all been on a long journey preparing for that day. I personally felt very calm, probably because I had lived that moment a hundred times in my head.

One athlete was enjoying a sandwich bite 30 minutes before the start and I thought that was silly. It turned out he was none other than Sebastian Norberg, the winner of the race that day! (should have asked him what was in that sandwich)

I put my wetsuit on and chose to keep my boots, gloves and neoprene skull cap on to avoid any risk of hypothermia. The water temperature was 15 deg Celsius which is in the upper range. After getting showered with a water hose on the ferry, I jumped off and swam 300 or so meters to the start line.

SWIM

The swim course goes along the fjord shore for more than 3km where the only yellow buoy is set for a left turn to the swim exit. I felt calm and into my normal rhythm the whole way and came out within the expected time in 01h14min. My support crew John met me, and we moved into T1. I quickly noticed the weather was warmer than I had feared (I didn’t know it at that time, but I was in position 76). Off we went for 180km of bike ride and a LOT (lot), of climbing.

BIKE

The bike course offers the first obstacle of the day only 7 km into the ride. What’s ahead is 34km of ascent (7-8%) with 1500m elevation. All of it through a gorgeous road along steep rocky cliffs, breathtaking waterfalls and 2 tunnels.

My support crew planned to meet me at every hilltop either for the expected refueling and clothes changes, or for dealing with any unexpected event along the way.

My biggest fears on the bike were running out of nutrition, and getting too cold as we got higher in the mountain. Thankfully none of those happened and I have to admit weather was mostly favorable this year, unlike some previous years. The danger would come from a different angle this time around (food).

After the first big climb, it was time for a more relaxing downhill. Sceneries were magnificent as we reached the highest plateau in Norway. We were also more exposed to weather changes, and I prayed for no head nor cross winds. My deep carbon wheels (62mm) would not have loved that!

Up until the halfway mark, I was within the target time I had set, only off by about 20min which I was hopeful to make up for, later.

Unfortunately, that’s also when I realized my nutrition was off. I simply could not consume as many carbs as I wanted, probably due to the colder conditions. My gut was giving me negative signals, but nothing I considered alarming. To make matters worse, there were 4 more climbs to come, adding stress and fatigue. I started losing power and was being passed by too many athletes. I broke the course down in my head and was taking it one step at a time.

The last allowed support check was at 142km, after the fifth and last grueling climb, followed by a 13km light uphill section with strong headwind. By then, I knew I was already behind my objectives, and that I had burnt way more energy than anticipated, which would cost me later, during the run.

What goes up must come down! At last, the final long (and refreshing) downhill arrived, with switchbacks and cheering locals which helped boost my spirits up. I loved every second of that descent and was glad I could reach T2 with no major issues, but fully aware I was falling behind on the ranking list. Nutrition was the enemy of the day so far !

T2

I changed into my running gear and asked my support crew about my position. ‘180 something so you need to run well and catch up’ said Sindre.

For the record, I have secretly hoped to be a black t-shirt finisher, which means being amongst the first 160 athletes to reach the km 37 of the marathon. It was going to be a difficult task if I didn’t make that gap up before 25km which is where the course turns uphill ONLY, to the finish line.

RUN

The first 25km are a ‘somehow’ flat course along a beautiful lake. This is where great runners can capitalize most. Either to accentuate their lead, or to catch up with slower runners. I did my best to cover as much ground as possible alternating between run and walk. I had run out of caffeine gels which I thought were really needed.

At 25km I was joined by Sindre and we started what is without a doubt the hardest section of the run. First, the dreaded Zombie hill: a 5km, 10% incline with switchbacks.

It is halfway through that section that I experienced my lowest point. My brain was screaming to just stop, and my body seemed to have shut down. (Hey, Nutrition). I was progressing very slowly, but still moving forward. Sindre was doing a phenomenal job at keeping me awake and alert while john was managing car and other nutrition logistics. By that time, I could hardly eat or drink anything. I tried to take a bite off an energy bar and instantly felt the need to vomit but did not although I had to stop for a minute. Somehow, I regained some cognitive abilities, and felt better after that.

I was clearly at a low point, but I had never doubted I would make it to the finish line.

John and Sindre were now both by my side and we kept going up to the first checkpoint at 32km, and the second at 37km. I had unfortunately not made the black t-shirt cutoff (I would get a white one instead) but we all pushed to the finish line after more than 17h. A long day at the office that was!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I have replayed this race in my head almost every day for 2 weeks. Something I have wanted to do for so long was now a reality. I am as proud to have finished as I am impressed by the fitness of my fellow athletes. This race is certainly like no other!

(Something tells me I will return one day! Stay tuned)

It would not have been possible without the patient support of my life partner Paola, who was present through the race with our soon to be son in her belly. I hope this will inspire this little human in the future.

Not possible without my coach Lottie Lucas who has patiently crafted my training plan and guided me through the whole training cycle – Shoutout to all the FAWZ team.

Not possible without my support crew – They also want to do Norseman, and I wish them to get their slot as early as possible.

Not possible without the kindness of people who shared their previous experience in Norseman and selflessly gave advice: Aimee, Kieran, Hasan, Bassam and others, Thank You!

It has been a glorious, humbling 8-month journey and a transformative challenge! Until the next one.

NORSEMAN RACE REPORT - BY IMAD KHOCHMAN