Natalie participated in the first issue of Stranda Fjord Trail Race and where also the first to register for the coming years race. We took the chance to do a fast interview with here.
SFTR: How was this years race for you?
Natalie:
This year’s race was wonderful. It was challenging for me as evidenced by my 8 hour time however in my defense I do not run, and had not trained for a running race.
It was beautiful – as you know, nothing can quite compare with Fjord Norway.
It was incredibly well organised! Everyone was very welcoming and the program ran smoothly as expected.
It was inspiring – I met some very devoted, well trained, and ambitious people.
It was explorative – a chance for me to investigate a part of Norway I don’t have a chance to come to so often through the
year.
As a side note, my main hobby in the past few years has been climbing and last summer I had a bad accident in Lofoten with severe brain trauma, coma, two brain surgeries, and subsequent rehab so for me running this race a year later was an opportunity to prove to myself that my energy levels are recovered as well as an opporunity to balance out all of the strength and resistance training I get through the climbing.
SFTR: Why do you want to come back for next years race?
Natalie:
As I mentioned above, I had a wonderful time and would not miss the chance to visit
Fjord Norway again. Additionally, I do not want to miss this great
event, or the chance to level up and improve my time and the benchmark
I have now set for myself. I might even train for it this time around :)!
SFTR: What advice can you give racers that are entering the race in 2016?
Natalie:
Hydrate! Try and stay a few extra days to run some more trails in the area! I can recommend Vibram 5 finger shoes as excellent trail running shoes (grippy, agile, and they adequately protect your feet from
rocks, roots etc although I know that Solomon and Dynafit also have some well reviewed, more conventional footwear available.)
