– It was crazy, – says Endre Stromsheim.
The day before, the biathlon climbed the full 10,000 meters on a bicycle, up and down the Vengromassen in Lillehammer.
CYCLING CRAZY: Endre Strömsheim refers to his project as “crazy.” Photo: Fredrik Ulen/TV 2
The seven-kilometer hill had to be climbed dozens of times before the goal was reached. In total, Strømsheim spent 15 hours in the crazy session.
– It was clearly the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done. It’s very monotonous and difficult, the 25-year-old says with a laugh.
Without food and drink: 10,000 calories should be added during the maximum session. Photo: Fredrik Ulen/TV 2
Then the chips will come in handy… Image: Fredrik Ulen / TV 2
…and some candy. Photo: Fredrik Ulen/TV 2
The first half of the day you’re struggling to stay cool, you’re struggling to stay warm because there’s a heavy storm coming. There were moments when I thought: “Now I give up.”
But the athlete finally achieved the goal that he set himself, although it may have cost more than he previously thought.
— it was triggering me to wake up this morning, and I can feel it in my neck and hands especially. There probably won’t be much training in the next few days, Stromsheim laughs.
The next day: On Friday, Endre Strösheim was in the power room despite his monster session the day before. Photo: Torstein Wold/TV 2
Radical change
Last spring, the biathlete from Perm changed significant parts of his training routine. Strømsheim’s running program consists roughly of long, long five-day training sessions, followed by two days of rest.
It gives absolute freedom. You’ve suddenly got a weekend off – and you don’t have that much as a top athlete. It’s very important, at least for me, to be able to go my own way, Stromsheim explains.
Going his way: Last year, Endre Strømsheim made a drastic change on the coaching front. Well rewarded for that. Photo: Torstein Wold/TV 2
The expert was shocked
TV 2 biathlon expert Ole Einar Bjørndalen, who has been famous for a rigorous training regimen in his active career, almost explodes when he hears about Strømsheim’s stunt.
– It seems completely unrealistic, and I can hardly believe that it will work, says Bjorndalen, shaking his head.
– But Endre has trained extensively, and he has a different training regime than others, so if someone has to make it happen, it’s him, the expert continues.
I got a shock: TV 2 biathlon expert Ole Einar Bjørndalen could hardly believe his ears when he heard about Strömsheim’s latest stunt. Photo: Marte Christensen/TV 2
Bjørndalen has been in the environment for a long time and has seen most things. But this was completely new, even for the biathlon legend with 13 Olympic medals, 45 World Cup medals and 95 World Cup victories.
– I’ve never heard of this before. There may be some who have. Are there any mountain runners out there who have definitely run up and down a mountain, but on a bike like an athlete, I don’t think anyone has ever done that before.
– very decisive
Strømsheim is motivated to push the boundaries, and feels he has had a very good return in the season that he was after the changes made last year.
– It was very decisive. I’ve never come close to having a season like this winter, Stromsheim says.
FANTASTIC SEASON: Last year Endre Strømsheim had its best season ever Picture: Marte Christensen/TV2
The 25-year-old from Berum is in the national team, but was given a chance several times in both the WC and the World Cup last year. In addition, Strømsheim won the IBU Cup overall, which is the trophy of the second level in biathlon.
This guaranteed him a place in the inaugural World Cup in Östersund next winter.
– It was incredible. Both with the results in the IBU Cup and with the chances that I got as a result. But last year, the results weren’t really the most important, but more than that they gave me a position I couldn’t get before, Stromsheim says in conclusion.
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