Swedish Middle and Relay, and New Job!

Photo: Urban Larsson

Swedish Champs weekend was quite mixed. Fighting a cold going into the qualification, I did a good race to qualify for the final (lungs were a bit raw). Then unfortunately the SNO team was hit by food poisoning (bad meat?). Most guys were up many times during the night. I survived the night, but between waking up and racing, it felt like I spent more time in the bathroom than out of it!

I managed to race the final, and did a decent technical performance - but physically I was a bit off the ball, finishing 6 minutes behind in 31st place! Feeling sorry for myself, I wasn't sure that I would even run the relay.

I was therefore selected for the SNO 2nd team with Eric B and Pavlo U. Eric ran well on 1st leg to send me out in 6th place, just under 1 minute behind. The pace was high in the beginning, but I managed to follow the other runners around, and was running in 2nd-5th place for much of the first part. The group split up about half way, and I was then running almost alone in 3rd place for the rest of the race. I made a small mistake on the 2nd last control, otherwise it was a decent technical performance (even if I was still feeling pretty 'empty' physically), and I changed over in 3rd place 3:30 behind leaders, but only 30s behind 2nd. Pavlo was also feeling not at his best, but he did a good job against top opposition to bring us in in 6th place, with SNO first team in 4th. Results

It became official today that I am now the new Elite Coach for IFK Mora. I will also compete for IFK Mora next spring. Article. I will work with the best runners on an individual basis, organise training camps and help elite runners in the club prepare for important domestic and international competitions.