Dave was running the Nordmarka Skogs (Forest) Marathon today so Emma and I were required to act as cheerleaders. It turned out to be a really fun day so we’d both be happy to do it again. We were in a better state than Dave at the end of it as well.
To get to our first spectator point, we started by taking a couple of buses, which took us out to Maridalen, just outside Oslo. We then had a few kilometres to walk until we got to a dam that they ran over after about 6km. This was a nice scenic spot and Emma particularly liked the waterfall running off from the dam. It was a bit wet on the way there but stopped just before we did so Emma could get out of the buggy to do some rock climbing.
Dave looked nice and fresh when we saw him, but then so did everyone else. We had a nice chat to a couple of the men running the drinks point there and then headed up the hill to Ullevalseter for lunch and more of a play. This was on the course but too near the end for us to be able to see Dave there and at the finish. Everything was going well after that. Emma was asleep within 5 minutes of leaving and, although it was raining again, it looked like a passing shower. Then I realised I’d given Emma my cap to hold onto just as we were setting off and I hadn’t seen it for a while so we had to walk/run back for about 1.5km until we found it, within 100m of our lunch spot, before racing down the hill.
In the end, we just beat Dave to Sognsvann. The sun came out, Emma woke up (feeling happy) and so everything went to plan. Dave looked a bit the worse for wear when he finished but he’d done a respectable time. It did make me realise what I’m letting myself in for in a few weeks time and has given me more incentive to make the most of them as I need all the training I can get. So, I’ve just got back from a beautiful run up Vettakollen and I’ve a long run planned for tomorrow morning.
[...] (forest marathon). The rain had stopped and it was a pleasant temperature for running. The cheerleaders had gone on ahead to get a good spot. With next to no training under my belt I really had no idea [...]