St.Olavs relay between Trondheim and Ostersund..

.. is over!
I'm sorry for not writing earlier but there has been so much things to do. Well, I have a vacation but also a family, property to take care of and Elton the dog ;-)
But here it comes! The summary of the four day long run between Trondheim in Norway

Staffan and me in Ostersund after 4 days of running.
About one marathon each every day :-)

A dream is likely to start growing in your head because of your heritage and your environment. It can also have your innate desire to do. Whatever it is, it's so fun to plan, implement and evaluate it all. Well, it might be a little sad that it's over. But, that's how it is!

It all started while running around The Big Lake last summer. When running 137,88 miles my brain started to think of others than The Run just to keep focus on The Run. Like I was running but thinking of other things instead. Well, it happens to be about.. RUNNING!

I was thinking of running this St.Olavs relay by my own, like Mikael Andersson who is a very talented Swedish ultra runner and decided to run for a great cause. He ran for a friends daughter who got cancer. He's mission was called Ella's Resa (Ella's Trip). It is through the Children's Cancer Fund. in Sweden. Please do as me and donate some money to fight cancer!
Great done Mikael! :-)

Day 1:
June 24th, we went by car from Östersund Levanger in Norway. For it was where we would go in goal first leg and also start the second phase. We don't have to move the tent first two days. Logistic! ;-)

A pretty dramatic road to Levanger, Norway :-)

Me and Staffan on the way to Levanger and a great adventure! :-)

Goooood Moooooooorning!
St.Olav here we come :-)

Phase one, June 25th, was 100,4 km or 62,38 miles. Pretty hilly in Norway as you can see in profiles here.

The bell rang 5:15 and we went up to eat breakfast. Today's stage was 100.4 km, or 62.38 miles. We chose to divide the stage into four pieces which means one ran part 1 and part 3 or 2 and 4. In that way we then got a little rest at 2.5-3 h between races, which was needed.

Staffan, my friend, did part 1 (27,6 km/17,15 mi) and part 3 (19,9 km/12,37 mi). I did part 2 (37,7 km/23,43 mi) and part 4 (15,3 km/9,51 mi).

One part of my run the first day.

Pretty nice weather with no wind and just a little rain. Good for running and todays result was 191 out of 200 teams. So we actually was not the last team! I'm not count in Mikael Andersson because he was alone! One more thing is we had a pace between 5:00-6:03 min/km (about 5:30 min/km).

Me after 53 km or 32,93 miles.
End of phase one :-) 

Two happy guys after a great day of running.
Staffan did a fantastic day and ran fast and also in a steady pace!

Day 2:
June 26th, the second phase, we felt ok but a little stiff in our legs though. No problem cause the thing is we're running faster than we perhaps should. But, what the heck, we LOVE running so why not!

This second day we were already at the starting location. Only 100 m from the start actually. The start would be 09:00 and the weather was fantastic! Staffan started the first day in Trondheim, so now it was my turn to start in Levanger on my luck against fluctuation in Stiklestad. A short stretch of 18.4 km (11.43 mi) ;-)

Today we should split 65 km (40,39 mi) in four. I ran phase 1 and 3. Staffan ran 2 and 4 (the hilly part). Do check out todays profiles here. We beat 10 teams this day and ended up totally with 5 teams behind us ;-) We still keep up the running with times between 5:08-5:38 min/km which is pretty fast.

After this day it didn't feel that stiff in our legs anymore! :-)

Just before start day two.

Staffan did a GREAT running today! He had quite hard hills on his two runnings today. Afterwards he said: "Nice views but where are the hills?!" Well, that's our spirit when it's a hard running coming up! Always be positive.

"Up the slopes is just downhill with bad attitude!"

A great reminder when it's tough hills and you are a bit tired. I've learned it from Dag Wassdahl a great runner and a friend of mine.

Staffan did

Staffan in our "tent" for the night 3 and 4 :-D

Day 3:
This day it was Staffan who started. Perfect weather and only 63,4 km (39,39 mi) to split into four. More than 5 km uphill for Staffan but then it was downhill and flat. Check profile here. It felt great today and we ran pretty fast. The fastest day of all I think.

I finished today's race in the square in Åre.

The result of the day was 22 teams behind us and 6 teams behind totally. Crazy cause we're just two runners.. :-)
The legs feel great and it's not that hard as we thought but we'll remember there's one more day left. The tiredness will come as a sledgehammer so we better be cool and not rush away. We talked a lot about this! ;-)

Day 4:
The very last day and I had a little problem to eat up all my breakfast this morning. Little nervous perhaps ;-) Well, I was not that nervous about it. I always can eat bananas and energy-drinks by the way. This day had som hills (profile here) but more important was the 111.8 km that would be felled..

I started this morning and it felt quite great. My run was between Åre and Järpen (28,1 km/17,46mi) and then Staffan ran from Järpen to Slåtte (27,3km/19,96mi).
I exchanged with Staffan in Slåtte to run the 29,9 km (18,58mi) to Västerkälen. The last 10 km (6,21mi) I almost ran out of energy. Luckily I've got a banana and only 10 minutes after I was running again. All I got in my head was to reach Staffan and the goal. Left, right, left, right...

Staffan after his great run!
Only about 500 m left :-)

I was so happy when see Staffan waiting for me and we did that exchange. He really was strong and did his best run, this last run down to Östersund City (26,5 km/16,47mi). Staffan was running between 4:31-5:22 min/km) which is GREAT DONE! I'm so proud Staffan wanted to run in my team, Team Flexirunners.

:-)

Me, Staffan and Elton :-) 

Just after the finish.
Thank's for a GREAT RUN!

Two happy runners!
4 days and about 103 miles each.
Staffan to the left and me on the right.

Me, my mental coach Anders Stävhag and Staffan.

So many km / miles, new friends, experiences and .. just SO FUN!
#ELS

SMS from my daughter Julia.
(Two-man team on St.Olavs relay)

We did run together the very las kilometer to the goal. People were yelling at us, the sun was shining and the last 50 m even Elton was barking when we showed up. Yes, he ran with us the last bit :-)

Flexirun up in the mountains where he goes #ELS :-)

Well, that's it! No next project right now but I will never stop running or writing though. I hope this run perhaps can show how FUN it might be if one just smile and dare to say hello to people out there. We ran far before the clock was invented. Maybe not before time began, but still before the clock .. ;-) What I'm saying is dare to see all the mighty things when out there running. Take care and be happy!

Once again, dare to smile and say Hello! to all You meet out there!

Easy, Light and Smooth!
/Flexirun :-)

2 days left...

... and Team Flexirunners wil take of to Trondheim for the event of this summer. The race between the two cities Trondheim and Östersund.

Going to be so fun! I don't feel the same thrill about this if compare to The Big Lake Run last summer. Much more people around here and therefor no loneliness. I won't run at night either! :-)

Well, today I pick up all the material to be included on St.Olavsloppet. Tent, sleeping bag, trangia (gas stove), workout clothes, running shoes, sunglasses, fluid replacement to be used before, during and after the run, regular clothes, etc.. Food we buy during the day and complements tomorrow.

Minimalist running! Well, don't think so... ;-)

Tent, gas-stove, food for four days etc.

It really feels good and I'm going to LOVE it! :-)

Yesterday me and one of my daughters went visiting David "Kingen" Jonsson's farm . So fun! We checked out all the animals like cattles, calves, pigs, sheeps, ducks, rabbits, turkeys and rainbow trout.

My daughter Julia and some cattle.

Beautiful pond full of rainbow trouts and the sauna.

David, who owns the farm, and Julia.

We did feed som rainbow trouts. Fun :-)

A cool canine that escaped.
Guess he wanted to run free.. Like Flexirun! :-D

More canines!
So sweet little animals.

 Well, time for bed. Tomorrow I'll go to Trondheim, Norway. Say one Hello! and give a Smile every day!

Easy, Light and Smooth!
Flexirun :-)

4 days left...

... to the D-day! Well, perhaps I should say three days instead because the fourth day I will run.

St.Olavsloppet

Here's a great film of the relay as well! Pleas do check out! :-)

I'm talking about the relay between Trondheim in Norway to Östersund in Sweden. Normally the team includes about 20-30 runners running the 205 miles in four days.

It's a marvelous nature over the mountains from Norway to Sweden! The thing is I should have been running this all alone but instead I invited a very good friend of mine, Staffan Westberg, to run together with me.

My lodge up in the mountains.
One great place to do my uploads...

I have been a little bothered by a sore tendon for 3-4 months, but today it was finally good again. People have wondered if I'm worried about being injured so close to a long-running but I answered: "The start has not gone yet!"

By that I mean that the focus has not been on the injury, but how I would put up the workout instead.

I've been running a lot but not that much I normally do. Instead I did some X-trails, biking and workout at the gym instead. I also used a lot of Aloe Vera cream (Hot and Cold) and targeted stretching. Seemed to work! :-)

I have rested from all kind of exercise for four days now and this Thursday-evening I went for a great run. It was time for The Run, one could say. The run when I hope not to feel any pain at all...
I'm so pleased I didn't feel any pain!

Happy again and I believe my ELS-running helped me a lot with rehabilitation!

A normal day for Flexirun is when out running ;-)

Here in Sweden we celebrate Midsummer a lot. Well, I'm not teetotaler but I do not drink that much alcohol though. Instead, I'm probably an exercise addict! :-D

Non-alcoholic beer with a nice name!

Well, I'm full of confidence now and I really look forward to The Relay between June 25 to 28.
205 marvelous miles!

Take care and don't get stressed over some injuries. Focus on the right things instead and dare to rest!
Well, also don't forget to Smile and say Hello! Even if to Yourself ;-)

Easy, Light and Smooth!
/Flexirun

12 days left..

.. and it starts to feel a little like last summer when I ran around the Great Lake. A little exciting but also a bit scary! What I've really gotten myself into now..

I feel like a river.
I've got the power but also the smoothness when going forward.

After some runs I use to take of my shoes and run barefooted. Well, i'm not a fanatic! Just like that feeling to let my feet be free! Just like Elton up in the great woods without a leash I guess :-)

Most of my runs is on roads and paths but sometimes great XC right out in the middle of nowhere. It's on those runs I can see natures wild life which give me a kind of mental training.

Running fast isn't a major thing for me anymore. Social-runnings are more fun! Or alone with Elton up in the mountains. I do not run for money or for my living. Only because I love it, since 1969!

This is a great place running into!
Up in the mountains where I use to be a lot summertime.
Soft but hilly ;-)

A week ago me and a friend did about 12,3 miles X-trail. Fun and sometimes wet, muddy and hilly. Well, we ran almost all the way. Except when taking some nice pics.

Great hills. Rope was needed! :-)

Two runners who look tough standing on an old place of execution ...

We did a great run north of Östersund city. It was a hot and sunny day so we had to bring water with us. Well, I did drink from some streams as usual. But thanks for the water anyway Dag, my friend!

Just after a run last weekend. Sunny and very hot.
It was the calm before a great discharge with thunder!

Well, take care out there friends. Always be friendly and smile a little :-)

Try to go Easy, Light and Smooth!
/Flexirun

36 days left...

... and I really feel great again! My left foot is ok but I do not run for the full load yet. Today with Elton down at the X-trail it really felt good in my legs. Both up- and downhill. I felt something in my foot but no pain at all. Well, it's now it's very important to listen carefully to what your body signaling to you.

After a great 3,5 mile hillrun this Friday.
The body was absolutely finished and empty afterwards...

I try to see every day as an adventure.
Sometime it's a small one, sometime it's a little bigger.
All days are really still adventure in itself I think :-)

This very day I told my wife and son I'll be up in the forest for a run. Just for about an hour or so! There are a great wildlife up there and a bit exciting too. Black Grouse, Beaver , Moose, Roe Deer, Lynx and BEAR.
After 3-4 miles I stopped to take a 'selfie and saw that there was someone before me. A moose that ate up the willow buds. Less than a minute after the picture of myself I had the privilege to meet him just behind me. Just a couple of 100 yards away :-)

A couple of 100 yards behind me I saw that moose walking around.
Respect because they can be nasty!

The moose just ate his lunch!

I continued to run on a forest road, which was a bad forest road, which became a path and after that a bad path and eventually nothing at all.After a while, I came to a nice little creek and saw how the beavers had tried to dam it up and I heard one smashing his tail in the water. Here I took my last picture before the battery ran out!

Oh, crap! That means the GPS died too! Well, I'm a pretty familiar with the area but still hav a great respect to the nature. I've got some things to do when lost to get "not lost" so I just continued to run. About 50-100 yards at a time in a straight line so I wouldn't go in circles. It was cloudy and almost rain so.. no sun!

Well, after a while I came to a hunting lodge in the middle of the forest. Great! Must be a road somewhere then. I looked around and found a very small road that I decided to follow. One mile later, or so, I came out on a road. Looked right and couldn't see the end of it. No option! It also "felt" wrong in a way... Looked left and the road disappeared over a crest. Interesting! I wonder whats on the other side. I just have to check!

After a couple of miles I saw a great bird. A Black Grouse! Nice bird and good flesh too! :-)

The very last pict in the forest where the beavers live ;-)

Well, below you can see a picture of the group of runners who came to the first meeting on Saturday, May 10. A little gray and overcast but quite ok weather for running. Some of them had never run as far as 10 km, or 6.21 miles. All did their running well and both they and I were really proud!

The intention is that everyone can meet at the gym in Brunflo then run together but also in different groups if necessary. Most important is to meet others and have a lot of fun! :-)

Great runners and great friends!
King and Queens!

Me and my good friend Håkan!
A good and positive runner with a great heart and patience.

This particular day, below, so I set out in the spring with a bright blue sky and brilliant sunshine.
Spirits were high and it felt fine in the body. I jogged on for about 2 miles, became warm and increased his speed a little bit. The legs respond well and hardly any stiffness in my left ankle. Lovely!

ELS (Easy, Light and Smooth) take me with ease forward and I feel the energy just flows from Nature to my body all cells. Today's race was 16 km (10 miles), and display portions of the run went on for 4 mi/km (6:25 min/mi). I'm a very lucky guy! :-)

Happiness!

In a stream where ice and snow melted and spring flow started.

I almost always smile! Some people might say I'm crazy.
Well, then I smile for myself.
Most important is: I'm happy. Then, perhaps, others might get happy as well!

Hepaticas are nice little blue flowers!
Makes me smile and realize: EVERYTHING's AMAZING!

Oh, crap! Someone's cracked the sign!
600 m must be 600 miles! :-D

Well, friends! Take care, smile and say hello!

Easy, Light and Smooth!
/Flexirun with Love!