Öhrn Life Management

After I got into real triathlon training, I always go to Sweden imagining that I will enjoy the Badhus so much more than I ever did.

Because now I can swim, sort of.

I do enjoy the swimming in Sweden more, I do, but there are still obstacles. Obstacles that I don’t have here and to be honest, obstacles that I don’t always realize that I don’t have here – therefore it is nice to go to Europe once in a while and try to train.

This time around though, I had a fantastic experience at GIH-Badet. GIH is the Swedish School of Sports and Health Siences. They have a swimming pool open to the public in the morning, from 06.30 to 08.00.

So I got up around 06.15, arrived at 06.40 jumped in the pool at 06.45. The whole arena was dark, they only had the lights on in the water. Lovely. In addition to that they played classical music through loud speakers next to the pool.

There I was, crawling almost like all the others, to classical music, before sunrise after having walked on ice and through snow just to get to the pool.

The things people do…

Amazed over how easy it was runnign yesterday. Across open fields, snow everywhere and not a streetvendor in sight. I loved it in many ways more than Bangkok.

But running along Lake Möckeln, was not as nice since it was freezing cold. My feet felt light, my legs as well, I just enjoyed and kept running like I was Forrest Gump.

23 kilometers of afternoon running into the night, maybe even more altogether.

I am happy. I am getting stronger, and getting ready for Singapore. Now i just have to get som riding in. And swimming.

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We are traveling again, this time to Sweden for some winter holiday and to meet family and friends and also for the christening of Ludvig.

Kind of weird going to Sweden in February one might say, but I actually miss running outdoors in the cold, hear the "sand" underneath my feet – which is a lot different from the sand that I am used to. It is nice to use the WindStopper, the lightweight Montane jacket, which could be my favourite piece of clothing.

The problem here at this time of year is and will be the cycling, if you don’t have a winter bike, which I obviously don’t have.

I was glad though to manage to get in five good sessions in the three days this week before I left; two on Monday, one on Tuesday and two yesterday, the day we left. It is a great feeling to be able to do something physical on the day of traveling, to both get to run and swim was a bliss.

I have moved on to bigger paddles in the swim training, which for some reason makes me feel more like a proper swimmer. It feels like I am moving faster and stronger through the water, I sometimes make a bigger splash when I put my hands through the surface and I think that makes me feel more like a tri-swimmer. They keep telling us not to swim like a pool-swimmer. Which is fine by me.

So I enjoy the swimming even more, one thing about swimming that probably makes it more interesting and enjoyable to me right now:

When you swim there is not much else you can do.

I sometimes wish there were more things in my life like that. I try to be more present, to do one thing at a time, and do it efficiently. In a world where multitasking is rewarded, it is not easy. Swimming is nice. Cykling in Thailand and Bangkok, means that you have to be aware and to be present a lot of the time – but not always.

Running is a different story.

Since starting training in Bangkok I have come to use my iPod a lot, especially those sessions on the treadmill. So running means iPod. Music or Audiobook, depending on my mood.

These past weeks I’ve listened mainly to music, but also three audiobooks. "The Appeal" by John Grisham, "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Becket and last but not least "The Power of Less" by Leo Babauta.

This book is about, decluttering your life, doing one thing at a time, get more things done, and get them done better. Extreme at times, but I liked it, the general idea of it at least. I have been reading Leo’s blog for a couple of years, and it felt natural to have a closer look at the book.

I had already started decluttering my life, fewer things planned in a day, fewer blogs to read and so on also trying to be more goal oriented in a broader way for my life.

So this puzzles me, I am running on the treadmill and even in the park, listen to a book that talks about doing one thing at a time – while running.

Does that count?

I try to only eat when I eat for instance, not read magazines or books, and that is difficult for me. Now running in Bangkok without the iPod or cycling on the trainer without it, will be difficult. I don’t know if I am even going to try.

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Friday and the day for the long run of the week.

On roads.

I started off slowly going out soi 15, reached the “main” road Sukhumvit after a few minutes. Immediately I almost run into an elephant. How odd is that?
Not very odd since there are a few of them every day and even more during the night, their caretakers sell food to tourists so that they can feed them.

Anyway.

One of those targeted tourists is taking a picture of the elephant and it is quite strange because I can assure you that a person in a singlet, shorts and running shoes wearing a Fuel Belt is more rare on Sukhumvit on a Friday evening than an elephant.

So why didn’t she take a picture of me instead one wonders?

Jojje Karlsson, a source of inspiration for many Age-group triathletes, just like he is to me. I would guess that a few pros are inspired by his positive outlook on life and training as well. I met Jojje at Colting Camp (www.colting.se) last summer, and I found him to be a very friendly guy, here is a short interview with him. Enjoy, and if you want to read more, there is a link to his blog at the end.

Imagine yourself at a networking event, you are there to connect with people, how do you introduce yourself, who is Jojje Karlsson?
- When I had my own business I was more into selling my self and ideas at the first contact. As I “grew up” I realized that might not always be the best thing to do. I often just go: I’m in media business. I work for a small familly owned business that publish three magazines. They also run a successful travel agency. Everything is sports related. Normally I don’t talk about my interest in racing and training Ironman since that tend to be to crazy for many people to handle. I’ve realized that I’m first and foremost a “normal career guy” secondly – an “age group athlete”.

You work as a Marketing Manager and you are a Triathlete with Hawaii as your longterm goal; can you use any of your professional skills in your work with acheiving Hawaii? 
- Yes, since I’ve been working in media business for the past 10 years now I have a good idea of how sports and media can get into good relationship together. That could mean sponsorships, contracts, solutions for athletes etc. I got some good stuff cooking in this area were I actually combine my knowledge in media and sports performance. And doing that makes it easier for me to reach Hawaii.

How do you stay motivated? Do you have short term goals?

- There’s always a big goal ahead of me. I can’t function without it. I get the most out of my self with something ahead. Busines and sports. The past three years I’ve noticed that even very thiny things like “if I do a five hour ride on saturday I’ll reward myself with a dessert and dubble espresso at dinner time”. It’s all pretty crazy but it works for me. Always big goals and small goals. I probably have around 20 big and small goals in my mind all the time.

How come you started doing triathlons? 

- The short answer is that it all started 2005. At Oskarshamns Triathlon. Super sprint distance. I came 6:th or something. Competition is little bit lower than an average cup race. After that race I decided to start to train for Järnmannen in Kalmar, Sweden. Together with a friend of mine we manage to pull through in 2006 (11.15) and that was my start. In 2008 I came back to Oskarshamns Triahlon and won it. Even to set a new cource record. That was a big thing for me – winning in my home town. As my girl friend puts it – winning is never easy. 

My long tarm goal also became clear that year (05/06) during training. Even though I must admit that I didn’t think it would be possible. In hind sight I belive that some goals are meant to be set on the level you don’t really think it’s possible. They are probably made sub conscionsly.Today Hawaii seems more like a natural step for me. Even if it will take time and money.

How do you find the triathlete scene in Stockholm/Sweden? How are triathletes looked upon in Sweden – How do non-athletes look at you with your hard training for Hawaii? Do you ever meet non-athletes? 
- Here’s how I see the scene in Stockholm: Nerdy, hardcore and immature. Who would like to spend time in that scene? Clubs are on a infant level of recruiting new athletes and engaging with sponsors. My first contact with a triathlon club in Stockholm was terrifying. 
- We’re sorry, but our Ironman group is for the experienced athletes was the answer when I e-mailed them about my interest of getting into the sport. Finally I got into another club and learned now to swim decent. Nowadays I only use the club for some swim work outs. Otherwise I do all my training by myself or with my very best friends. They are also hardcore but in a good sense. 

I spend a lot of time around different kind of athletes. That mix is important for me. I learn from everyone. Of course I have friends that are non-athletes but I must admit that that circle gets smaller every year. Triathlon consumes a lot of time so why not spend it with your friends out on the road or on the trails?

Do you plan your training yourself or do you have a personal coach?
- I’ve read the books, talk with the people and pros and for my level that’s enough. Jonas Colting is helping me out with the very basics of planing and traning but most of it all I figure out my self. At the moment my training is no science but if I look three years ahead I’ll probably look into bike specific coach. But it’s still just a matter of pushing my weekly training schedule. On the level of 9-10 hours IM age group athlete I believe there’s no need for coach if you’ve been training for a while. If you start from scratch and don’t know anything about training it migth be needed.

Which club are you a member of?
- Stockholm Police Triathlon.

You train by yourself as well as with others, pros and cons of both?
- My training friends Mattias, Oscar, Mattias, Toni, Johan, Stefan, Richard are vital for pushing the hours and quality in my training. Training with friends is key as far as I see it since solo can get very lonely and boring. Also with friends you’re able to do stuff you probably wouldn’t have done alone. Training in group with people you don’t is a different thing. I prefer training with friends I know.

You live and work in Stockholm, Sweden; is that an optimal location for triathlon? If you got to choose location, where would that be? 
- Stockholm is very bad for triathlon. My first option now would be Portugal or Spain. 

I obviously read you blog regularly, where do you find your knowledge regarding training – a subject you often write about? 
- Myself. Of course some literature but mainly form self experience. In long distance racing the only one who knows the feeling you’re feeling is yourself. That’s why you always have to ask yourself first. Then others. If you ask yourself great questions – you’ll get great answers (Anthony Robbins). If you ask yourself bad questions like:
- Why do I suck at this?

Guess what – you’ll get bad answers! 
A better question would be:
- Exactly what are my weak points in swiming and how can I become more familliar with them?

What is your eating philosophy? Are you strict? Do you eat meat? 
- Yes, I eat meat. During training periods I’m trying hard to stick to good food. It’s “Colting Style Stuff” – less sugar, lots of salad, fruit, meat, fish, chicken and that stuff. Natural is key I’ve learned. I did the big switch a couple of years ago with a lot of influences form two very good friends – Mattias Lejon and Erik Westberg. Together with my training this has been a key factor in keeping healthy and fit. I’m a big believer in Coltings words – “The more you train, the better food your bodie needs”. 

Do you have a role model, a person that inspires you, someone you look up to in the world of sports? 
- Oscar Kumlin, Mattias Olausson, Mattias Lejon, Therese Borssén, Jonas Colting, Claes Björling, Toni Kinnunen etc. Wouldn’t wanna live without em´! 
Many of them are friends and training partners. That’s for everyday training and living inspiration. For “larger-than-life-inspiration” I dig deeper and listen to Chris McCormack, Faris al Sultan, Greg LeMond or Mark Allen. Usually on Competitors Radio. That is like putting logs on a big fire. In 2005 I attended at “Unleash the Power Within” in London with Anthony Robbins. That was a three day hardcore interactive seminar that pushed me into another level. I can recommend that to anyone who are positive to make a change. Expensive but very cool.

Your girlfriend is a professional Downhill skier – what’s it like to live with a sports star and at the same time aspire to one of the toughest challenges in the world of sports, as an elite age-grouper?

- It’s easy. We only meet 150 days a year…Therese is out travelling a lot so I can do my workouts and planing as I want to. Ofcourse it helps out that she is very competative. That pushes me even more to become better. She’s been a great motivation factor for me since she’s born with a stamina and motivation that I don’t really have. I’ve kind of created that on later years. She’s been wining since she was four years old. That’s a big difference. 
I also must admit that living with one of the worlds best alpine slalom skiier is not always easy. Determination, focus and abnormal amount of heavy weigth lifting can sometimes erupt in caos.

All three disciplines in triathlon involves a lot of training, high volume training long sessions and of course a lot of time –  what is Jojje thinking about during a four hour bike ride? 
- How much I miss my girlfriend. Why I didn’t choose tennis…No honestly – it’s all about small targets and goals on my long rides. Next gas station, next 10 K, next stop, next song on my Shuffle. Also business ideas, calls, meetings…

You often talk about that your trainingsessions should have a purpose, now your blog also has a higher purpose (Non Smoking Generation). Do you ever do things without a purpose or perhaps that the purpose is that it is “purposeless”?
- Everything has a purpose. What’s the purpose for a walk in the park? What’s the purpose for a night out, what’s the purpose for having sex? Everything we do is for a purpose. BUT, I believe that there are greater purposes than other. Some small som big. Some good, some bad. 
In my office we have a soccer game. The one you control by turning sticks and the players on the field moves. A couple of us plays that probably two times every day. In the big world those games would mean nothing, but for us everyday it’s important to laugh, chat, have a break (and win!). I think that’s the closes thing I’ll ever come to doing stuff without a purpose. 

Has having a purpose always been important to you?
- Goal setting and doing stuff for a purpose has always been important. If you feel that you’re doing stuff without a meaning – you’ll get lost in the world. I guess a lot of people do that to often.

If you consider all aspects of triathlon; what is the best part, what makes triathlon a sport more people should take up?
- The two last Ironmans I’ve done I’ve experienced a kind of “runners high” that I find very special and uplifting. It’s probably the cumulated effect of all the training, racing and nervousness leading up for the race that causes that feeling. At that moment I feel great. From there on it’s becoming more destructive. It’s hard to explain that perticullar feeling but for me that’s worth a lot. I guess you can call it “beeing on the edge”, “feeling extremelly fit”, “on the top of the world”…

A lot of equipment is involved in triathlon, that is inevitable; what is your favourite equipment and what do you prefer to use in an Ironman. 
- I’ve been swiming with Orca 3.8. That’s a great piece of wetsuit I must say. Totally different from the Q Roo I had before. It’s ultra fast for me as mediokre swimmer. As bike goes I ride Kuota Queen K. That’s also a big upgrade from my Trek last year. I run a lot in New Balance 904 or Pearl Izumi Streak. I always use Craft clothes for all layers most of the time. Even racing in Craft Tri suits. My favorite gear must be the Syntace Stratos CX TT base bar with C3 Aero Bar and TRP brake levers. It gives me a great position on the bike.

You have winter in Sweden, how’s training then? Do you take time off?
- I just ran the New York City Marathon (November, delayed publishing…) and did a new PB at 3.08.09 so I’m happy about that. With no preparations what so ever. Now I’m just focusing on winter training with swim, bike and run stuff. In februari I’ll do som traveling to Portugal and after that Spain.

What will be your next peak, and main goal in your athletic life?
- That will probably be something in 2009. I’ll do Kalmar Järnman and Ironman Wisconsin next year. That’s my plan right now. 

And in your professional life?
- Lots of stuff. Our company is doing good right now and I’m happy about that. Ofcourse we got some nice challenges for 2009.

In life in general?
- I think that is being with my girlfriend as much as possible, kicking butt with my training partners and just living. I still think life is pretty easy nowadays. Sometimes I wonder if I deserve all this happiness I’m living with. I guess I do.

What does a perfect day in Jojjes life look like, what do you do, and what would the purpose be?
- The perfect day is always a Saturday. Either summer or winter time. Summer means swim in the morning, brunch and espresso somewhere and then a long ride or run after that. The day sums up at dinner table with a small whiskey or some fishing in a nice quite lake with lots of mosquitos. In Rättvik, Dalarna.
In Winter time this means breakfast, watching first run alpine slalom world cup, do some training and then watch the second run. If Therese makes the podium I’ll celebrate with a evening dinner at my place with some friends or just having a beer alone and surfing interviews with my girl and loving the moment. Living the dream…

If you want to know more, please have a look at Jojje’s blog at www.jojjekarlsson.se/blogg  - and have a friend translate it for you…

We only have one treadmill in our building. Most of the time that is enough, more than enough most people would say.

I did my swim session first. I was busy with other things in the morning today and did not get up to the pool until 3 o’clock in the afternoon. I did 25*100 m and I was ordered to use both paddles and Pull buoy. Fin(e) with me, and for some reason I still got tired.

After the swim I got changed into my running gear, and I needed to eat something. Something that I doubt I have ever used in training before – an energy gel. Clif Bars “Double Espresso Shot”! I normally eat a banana or some other kind of fruit, I live in Thailand after all and we normally stack stuff like that at home, but today we only had pineapple and I had that for breakfast.

So there I was, in order to get some energy into my system I am gulping down this terrible gel only to find out that a little girl is walking into the gym – my gym – to use the treadmill. I like to think of it as my treadmill and I know I shouldn’t.

I check with her father – how long will she use it? – 20 minutes he says. I decide to run outside to begin with. Why not?

At four in the afternoon there are few reasons for not running outdoors

1. The sun. We love it but when it shines too much you know…

2. Traffic. With two expensive schools on this street we are bound to have lots of BIG cars driving up and down the street around this time. Our street should really be a oneway street, that is how wide it is – if it wasn’t for the canal that is at the en of the street it probably would be.

3. The market is opening up. When I get out of my street I end up on Sukhumvit and the market that is on every day there is about to open around this time…

So I reach Sukhumvit and I realize why I hardly ever pass through this market. I had my music (ABBA obviously- I am Swedish) blasting in my ears so I did not really hear anything – but instead I could smell more, and therfore I ran faster.

I was out for 21 minutes and when I came back, my treadmill was available again. So I finished the session in another 39 minutes and was satisfied with todays effort afterall.

Friday evening I did my long run according to schedule, this time on roads. Even though I have come to like the Treadmill, running on roads is of course always superior. 

This time we all went to Lumpini Park, Ludvig in his stroller and Mia with her favourite running outfit. 

The park was full. Full of all kinds of people. It just makes you feel good running – or just being – in this mix. Tai-Chi, Open Air Aerobics (or was it square dance?) runner’s, pedestrians and this time I even saw one kid on rollerblades, which is very rare. We like to think of Lumpini as our Central Park, but it is not quite there yet.

80 minutes of running and then driving back home. Lovely weather, good form. Good evening.

Saturday morning I packed my bike into the car and took off for the peice of road just by the Airport. We have a 5k stretch that we ride on, back and forth. It is really nice actually and one day I will tell you more about this place. Since I havn’t come to terms with my trainer for cycling as much as I have with the treadmill, I still prefer the roads, on any day and twice on a Tuesday. But the trainer saves me time, and I get a lot of training in thanks to it! Today I got to ride with Michael again, we did China together last year. He’s Kiwi, lives in Bangkok and works in Singapore – I don’t see him often but it’s nice when I do. We chatted and rode for about 2 hrs before he switched to running and I kept riding. We met Bill who is training for Langkawi IM and does 112 miles once a week – and tries to beat his time every time… 

I hooked up with Chris who sells Cannondale exclusively in Thailand and Singapore, sporting a brand new “Slice”. 

Then Chris left me and I sort of joined Andy who also is training for Singapore and aiming for Clearwater. A superstrong athlete, that I hope I will get to train with more.

I managed to do 86 kilometers this morning and I was happy.

Sunday I was ordered “Active rest” whatever that is – I decided to join my friend Peter for a “minimarathon” which is a race of 10k. Around the area of the palace and the old parliament building. A very nice area of Bangkok where I don’t go very often. The start was at 06.00 so it was dark for the first couple of kilometres. A good way to train, there is apparently a “minimarathon” almost every weekend here. 

It is funny how I have come to terms with the situation in Bangkok regarding training. We got here about three years ago, February 11 2006 I did a “minimarathon” – my last one – I thought it was too hot and nowhere to train. Now riding for three hours on a 5k stretch feels great and the weather this time of year is perfect for training.

A good weekend.