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Merethe | Runner | Triathlete

@merethe_s

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Four weeks ago, I was pulled out of the water by lifeguards after only 750 meters of my Ironman race. Yesterday, I came to Almere to finish what I started. 🔥

The swim was my biggest demon. Last time, the water took me out. This time, I stayed calm, found my rhythm, and got through it - and yes, I cried in T1 - because for the first time in weeks, I knew I was still in the fight.

Then came the bike. Headwinds or brutal sidewinds nearly the entire way, and on the last lap the sky opened up. Lightning was hitting so close I was genuinely scared for my life - but the only way out was through. So I kept going.

By the time I hit T2, I was freezing, soaked, covered in mud, and having a full-on existential crisis. But that’s part of the game. After a couple of minutes reminding myself, “It’s just a marathon,” I put on my shoes and headed out.

And let me tell you — triathlon marathons are a different beast. They’re not about speed. They’re about who can keep moving when every step feels like it might break you.

Yesterday, I kept moving. Through the fear, through the storm, through the pain. I crossed that finish line - and got the closure I came for. 🔥

Huge thanks to my coach @mip_training_by_jersild — for believing in me when I had zero experience swimming crawl or riding a road bike less than a year ago, and for somehow turning me around after that DNF and getting me ready to toe the line again in just four weeks. Couldn’t have done it without you. taken in Almere by @merethe_s

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a year ago

48 hours in Oslo

A little weekend escape 🤍

Wine, darts, good food, lots of laughs and quality time with family — finished off by celebrating my little niece’s Naming Day 🥹 Such a privilege to be chosen to be one of the special adults in her life, in addition to being her auntie 🥹

One of those weekends that was more needed than I realized 🥂 taken in Oslo, Norway by @merethe_s

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8 days ago

Haven’t posted much these past few months. So what have I been filling up my camera roll with?

Many post-run selfies

Selfies with 🥰

Some photos of the sun

A video of getting my lactate tested

A photo from my morning coffee one of the three days my doctor told me to not speak due to a virus on my vocal cords… 😅

A photo of the one time I had 100% body battery when waking up. Hasn’t happened before and probably will never happen again

A photo of how hotel bathrooms are not made for short people

A photo of the best bottle of Chablis I’ve ever had in my entire life which I had saved for 13 years.

A selfie in an elevator in Belgium

A photo of us looking pretty good in Albania🔥

And a video of me celebrating a huge win! by @merethe_s

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a month ago

It was May.

The flowers, the victories, the celebrations, the sunshine, the wine.
All of it. 🥳🇳🇴🎉🎂🥂🍾

#biking #running #celebrating #birthday taken in Aarhus, Denmark by @merethe_s

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4 months ago

Rebuilding routines and personalities apparently🥲♥️

#triathlonlife #lifeupdate #growthjourney taken in Aarhus, Denmark by @merethe_s

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7 months ago

Vejle-Ådal Halfmarathon 💥 The season finale for what’s been an absolutely wild ride.
For her, an incredible marathon season. ⚡️ For me, a triathlon season that took me from a ¼ distance to a 70.3 and finally a full Iron-distance - only 5 weeks ago. And man, did my legs make sure I didn’t forget 😂

It couldn’t have been a better day. Sunshine, perfect running temps, and good vibes all around.
We ran, we laughed and had a blast, even after 9km when my calves started screaming and the rest of my lower body followed. But she kept me going, kept the spirits high, reminded me that on even my worst day I can do a half marathon, and I gave it everything I had left in the tank. 😮‍💨🥲

No PB this time — but honestly, I came for a good time, the company, and the chance to close out an incredible season exactly how it started: running together with one of my favorite people. 🥹🥰

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#vejleådalhalvmarathon #halfmarathon #runningwithfriends #triathlete #triathlon #ironman #marathonrunner #fallrunning taken in Vejle, Denmark by @merethe_s

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a year ago

This past week has been… a ride. First, recovering from having water in my lungs (highly don’t recommend by the way). Then squeezed in the shortest trip home to Norway: renewed my passport, hugged my parents and sister, hung out with the boys (dogs), and tested my lungs with a run. 🥹
The real milestone though? Getting back in the water last night and doing my first open-water swim since inhaling half the ocean during my failed Ironman attempt. 🥹 It wasn’t easy, but with solid support by my side, it felt healing in the best way - leaving all the self doubt and bad feelings behind. Tough week, but a good one for the soul. ❤️

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#triathlontraining #triathlete #ironmantraining #openwaterswim #travelling #healingjourney #recovery #swimming #running #ironmantriathlon #runner #norway #denmark #aarhus #oceanswimming taken in Norway by @merethe_s

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a year ago

550m into my first Ironman, I inhaled two waves of water.
25 minutes of fighting to clear my airways.
4 attempts to keep swimming.
And then… it was over before it ever really began. 💔

300 days of training. I could not have been more ready. But only a few hundred meters into the swim, I was hit by two waves of water on inhale and suddenly I was coughing uncontrollably, unable to breathe properly, and fighting to stay calm.

For the next 25 minutes I was hanging off of SUP-boards violently coughing, and trying to restart the swim again and again because I refused to give up. But each time my lungs shut me down after just a few meters.
Finally, the officials made the call that I was not allowed to continue, and just like that - I was out.

Back at the shore I was surrounded by amazing medical staff and Ironman officials and examined by a doctor who confirmed that I had water in my lungs.
I spent the next 1.5 hours there — wrapped in foil, under observation, coughing and struggling to breathe deeply.

And then there was my best friend. The emergency contact everyone should have.❤️
While I was trying to catch a breath, she drove through the city like a maniac, argued with police at closed roadblocks, convinced officials to escort her into the Ironman zone, and stormed into the medical tent — practically kicking the door down to find me and make sure I was okay and put a smile on my face ❤️ if you don’t have a friend like her in your life, you need to go find one.

Meanwhile, my boyfriend was still out on the course racing, unknowing of what was going on. And despite everything, I made it into the athletes’ area to see him cross the finish line. Watching him complete such an incredible race (for the third time) was a bittersweet mix of incredible pride and happiness, but also heartbreak from not being able to cross the finish line myself. ❤️💔

I need some time to recover both physically and mentally. But I know that I have some unfinished business waiting for me on the other side🖤

#ironman #ironmantri #ironmancopenhagen #triathlete #swimbikerun #triathlon #triatlon #triatlet #dnf #iwillbecomeone taken in Copenhagen, Dennmark by @merethe_s

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a year ago

taken in Denmark by @merethe_s

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a year ago

Ironman 70.3 Elsinore!! 🥇🏆🙌🏼

I don’t even have the words to describe the experience, but I’ll try anyway. 🥹

Two weeks ago I was having panic attacks in the ocean when trying to do my first open water swim - yesterday I got smacked in the head, pulled by the leg, and stung by a jellyfish - all while keeping my head cool and just swim. 🪼👋
I did 90 km on the bike before completing my 4th fastest half marathon ever in the hottest conditions I’ve ever done a race - making me realize what a strong runner I’ve become in the last 7 months. 🏃🏼‍♀️

Saying I am proud is not even enough. Because I am in awe of what I was able to do yesterday. It was not perfect, and I still have some learning to do and. But I have never felt more proud of myself. 🥹

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#ironmantri #IM703elsinore #triathlete #runner #cycling #girlswhotri #triathlon #triatlon #enduranceathlete #halfmarathon #swimming #raceday #medalmonday #ironmantriathlon taken in Kronborg Castle, Helsingor, Denmark. by @merethe_s

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a year ago

128 km bikeride followed by a 30 minute off-bike run with my favorite little coach! 🐾🥰 honestly don’t know how I would have made it through today’s run without her with my legs feeling like jelly after the bike 😅

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#triathlete #triathlonträning #running #runningwithdogs #cockerspanielcuties #cockerspanielsofig #workingcockerspaniels #ftcockerspaniel #runner #cyclist #triathletes #triathlonlife taken in Aarhus, Denmark by @merethe_s

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a year ago

Sunday’s race?
Let’s just say I breaststroked about 80% of the swim like I was at a Senior lake day, and not a triathlon.🙃
Turns out, wearing my wetsuit over my trisuit (which I’d never tried before the race - yes, I know… nothing new on race day) caused me almost all movement in my shoulders. And meant freestyle was a no-go. 🙃

Tried to redeem myself today with an open water swim (suits layered and adjusted, and Hannah came along for emotional support), and made it a solid 180 meters before the cold said “absolutely not.” 🥶
Not the comeback I pictured, but hey - still learning, still showing up. 🥹

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#triathlon #triathlete #swimming #swimbikerun #wetsuit #openwaterswim #openwater #cockerspaniellovers #dogmomlife #activedog #zone3 #coldwater #trisuit #runner #swimmer #cyclist taken in Denmark by @merethe_s

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a year ago