Cinnamon Buns Make You Strong: Emelie Forsberg’s 2012 TNF 50 Mile
December 7, 2012 by Emelie Forsberg · 10 Comments
I am not sure when or why I decided to run the TNF 50 miler. In the beginning of this season I did my first Skyraces and, at the end of the season, I tried some technical ultras. Which I liked. But my favorite thing is still shorter and technical stuff. And December is a far way out of the summer season for me! The snow came already at the end of October in Tromsö and I had put my skis on! But somehow I told Mr. Vollet that San Fran could be fun and why not?
I ran a race in the end of October, Templiers, which is a race I thought could be pretty similar to TNF, so to say: not technical and very runnable. And I actually kind of liked it. Anyway, before Templiers I had a feeling that I was strong, but the race became a terrible race for me due to stomach problems. So I guess I wanted to try one more ultra and to have the feeling of being strong the whole the way through.
So after a month with skiing and not very much running at all I flew over the sea to San Francisco. The days before the race I ran more than I had done in the whole November! It felt good and my feeling for the race started to be good! I wanted to do a good race! I wanted to prove to myself that I can handle long distance. Even though I believe that good luck plays a big role, I understand that you need some practice and experience to be able to do a good race.
Emelie flying through the mud.
Photo: Brett Rivers, San Francisco Running Company
Anyway. The start was fast! Maud [Gobert] and Lizzy [Hawker] started super fast and my plan was to follow them. But just after a few kilometers I decided not to. “What happened,” I asked myself? I know that I am pretty fast, so I should be able to follow them. Is it all the cinnamon buns and the lack of running that is talking?
Somehow, I did not get stressed. After some more kilometers the American ladies Stephanie [Howe] and Caitlin [Smith] caught me. What is this?
Then I remembered, it’s TNF!! A fast race! I better stay with the Americans… So that’s what I did. My feeling was good. I didn’t push. I felt strong in the uphills and even better in the downhills. And that was such a nice feeling!
Then we passed Lizzy who had problems with her shoe laces. I said to her that she’ll catch us in the end and I see you soon! She is a very impressive woman.
After the half race, Caitlin and Stephanie picked up their pacers and I still was hanging around them. I was thinking about how much energy all the Americans seems to consume during a race. Or is it just because I’ve heard from Anton Krupricka and Dakota Jones (They are like the only Americans I know, so I assume that everyone is like those guys.) that they eat crazy amounts of gels that I drag all Americans into that camp?
Well, well. The race continued. Running running running, rain, mud and not really anything new to lay my eyes on. But hey! I see Maud. I felt so happy to see her. Like to catch a bigger European sister. I hoped that she still had power so we could run together.
Emelie and Anna on lap two. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
But in the last part of the uphill I started to get a small gap. Just a tiny one. But big enough to come alone to the aid station where I picked up my pacer. My good friend Anna [Frost].
We kept up the good pace and we had a good time out there. My thoughts were wandering around and the fact that this was going to be the last race for the season made me a bit sad. And very happy at the same time. And I also started to get the feel a bit impatient. Bummer! I just want to be finished with this race! And that’s a new feeling for me. Interesting. And good, because then I had some more to think about.
I was still feeling good in my body and in my mind. No stress. I think it was that I felt I could keep this pace (which was an okay pace) and if someone caught us, I think I had more to give. We just wouldn’t increase the pace until someone caught us. Because I want to be sure that I have power if that happens. And, for sure, I thought someone would catch me.
If I had not heard that Lizzy had a bad day, my money would be on her. But I knew that something was wrong with her, she was a bit behind. So my guess was that some of the American girls or Maud would catch me.
The last uphill I got a little nervous. In different ways.
First: I’m leading a long distance race! Wow! How could this happen? Can I win?! I thought I was doomed to just finish second and third in ultras. And that somehow got me nervous.
Second: What if someone catches me? Do I still have the power to run faster than them?
Third: My season is going to end in a few minutes. It has been so long and I know I have so many thoughts and reflections. And that got me a bit nervous too.
And then came the last downhill with just some small miles to go. Here, I started to see things clearer. I have nothing to be nervous about! Nothing at all! Running is just wonderful, it makes you see things clearer. So I let go and I had a relaxed downhill. I saved power for the last part on the road. And then I saw the finish line! My goodness, I was so happy and surprised! In the beginning of this season I had not in mind to run an ultra and, now, I am going to win one. I think I have a bit of luck I must admit!
Emelie winning 2012 TNF EC 50 Mile. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
I crossed the finish line with a big smile and with the conclusion that cinnamon buns make you strong! Thank you, America! And thank you, TNF!
Anna and Emelie after the finish. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Related articles:
- Emelie Forsberg’s 2013 Transvulcania Race Report Emelie Forsberg reports on her win at the 2013 Transvulcania Ultramarathon....
- Emelie Forsberg, 2012 TNF EC 50 Mile Champion, Interview A video interview (with transcript) with Emelie Forsberg following her win at the 2012 The North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Mile Championships....
- Emelie Forsberg, 2013 Transvulcania Ultra Champ, Inteview A video interview with Emelie Forsberg after her win at the 2013 Transvulcania Ultramarathon on La Palma....
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Emelie Forsberg runs for Salomon. In 2012, she won the Skyrunning World Series and The North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Mile championships.
All posts by Emelie Forsberg
Wonderful report! Congrats!
way to go!!!!!! and yes… cinn. buns and cappuccinos… excellent!
Awesome report! Congratulations! Hurray for cinnamon buns!
Clearly, you should stick with eating Cinnamon Buns…they seem to work! Its been a delight to watch your progress and successes this year. Enjoy your ski season!
Cinnamon buns and blåbärssoppa . Better than gels!
A beautiful little piece. Congrats Emelie! I was an exchange student in Finland an KNOW how amazing cinnamon buns are!! Super work!!
Good work and an excellent race report. Thanks for sharing, Emelie. And congrats on an excellent season overall.
Emelie! You are such a strong runner, yet so humble! It is a joy to watch you run and to see how successful you are, living your life to the fullest.
You mentioned that Americans eat a lot- this is true of course! I’m always told to eat 300-400 calories an hour during ultras, but this is always so difficult for me to do, and I am usually fine with 100 calories/hour… what do you (and other non-Americans) do, nutrition-wise, during ultras? Perhaps just one huge cinnamon buns halfway through? ;)
Keep up the great work, and enjoy the off-season. The trails will always be there in the spring!
I second Amanda’s question? What do you eat during a long race? And great job!
Hey ! Thanks folks!
Amanda and Drew: I eat the same as americans :) gels and some small pieces of chocolate or bars. At TNF I eat 3 gels and some small chewing gels maybe 5 pieces. I think that it´s from person to person what´s best for you but I also think that you can get your body to get used to less energy whitout loosing energu for the achievement. When I started this season I eat more during races but somehow in the end of this season I don´t eat as much as i did some months ago!
All the best,
Emelie