"Mother of young children who wants to become a marathon runner during leave". This is how 30-year-old Marita Bertelsen describes herself on her Instagram profile. Bergensdama is currently on leave, but has chosen to use the leave to train to run a marathon! THAT we thought was so motivating to hear about, that we hit the thread to the running girl.
- How did you start running?
I started running when my study time was over, in the autumn of 2012. With only five or six runs behind me, I signed up for 10 for Grete in Oslo. It was a tough race, but the race gave me motivation to run more. And I did. I started training before or after work when I worked shifts. Some weeks I ran the mile five days a week. I was totally hooked and had no idea what I was doing, but I loved it! I started signing up for races like the Bergen City marathon (half) and the Oslo Marathon (half). Until I had my son in 2016, I ran quite often. Unfortunately, an injury occurred in my pelvis during this period, and after many hours with a physiotherapist, I tried a half marathon five months after giving birth. This was a painful experience even though I was very happy to reach the finish line. After this I started running to and from work, but there was not much training on me during this period. The months went by and at the start of the Oslo Marathon (half) 2018, I posed, a little too unprepared, with a small sprout in my stomach. My daughter's first run. That was when I noticed that I had pelvic pain again and the rest of the pregnancy I was without exercise. Now I'm up and running again, and training for my first marathon in the Oslo Marathon 2020 !
- What made you start running?
I wanted first and foremost to run races at the best possible time. I love to push myself and see how far my body is willing to go. I thought to myself that I should try my hand at marathons when I was in good shape from 2013-2015. But then I thought that I am now on leave and that this is a good time to do it. In addition, I will be 30 years old in 2020, so what is a better gift for myself? I remember previously thinking that running was my gift from me to me, but why can it not still be so even though I have had two children ?! I can not imagine a better use of my own time. I always feel better after a run and I think it will make me a better mother and boyfriend. I still notice that the motivation is also the same as when I was 22 years old, I want to push myself and I want to win against myself.
- What does running give you?
The first thing I come up with is mastery. I feel good after a run. Whether it is a training trip at a good speed or a half marathon where I run in 45 min. behind own pers. and crying in pain.
- What is your goal with running?
I want running to be a part of me again. That I train for the next race to be better than the last. I want to complete my first marathon and find out if I like the distance.
Tell us a little about how you train:
Right now I have no long-term plan for the training and it stresses me out a bit. I do not know much about how to train for a marathon to be completely honest. But I have started reading about the case so will probably find out eventually. Now I have just signed up for the gym and ran a 4 × 4 session there yesterday. I want to train five times a week with different intensity and focus on not getting injured with the help of strength training. Then especially my pelvis is exposed to it.
How did you decide to run the Oslo Marathon?
I thought I would run my first marathon before I turned 30. But the time for February is a little too short so then I decided to run my first marathon the year I turn 30 years old. I like the Oslo trail because it is quite flat and there are people cheering throughout the trail. In addition, the timing of the race is perfect. My leave is over in August and the race is in September. Then I get ten months to train both with and without a pram.
Is this your first marathon?
Very first marathon, but I have run a half marathon seven times before! Two of them in the Oslo Marathon. 10 for Grete 2012 was my first race. This fall, my goal is to complete a marathon in less than four and a half hours.
What advice would you give to others who are in the start-up phase of mtp running?
Just decide to accomplish your goal. Do not give yourself excuses for why not exercise today. Do not go too hard in the beginning both with training and in races. And listen to what people who have run before have to say and take with you the advice you get along the way. Run against yourself to win against yourself. This is what I have learned so far, but I may be wiser in the coming months 🙂
