The Norwegian Method Podcast

Kristian Blummenfelt, Olympic champion and elite Norwegian triathlete, reflects on his record-breaking IM 70.3 Oceanside win. He discusses chaotic bike-pack dynamics, tactical decisions during the ride and run, split awareness and cap-flip passing moves. He also covers equipment choices, transition tweaks, foggy conditions and thoughts on the 20m draft rule and upcoming IM Texas.

Kristian joins David to discuss his win at IM 70.3 Geelong, including a tactical breakdown and a quick look forward to Oceanside and travel. They discuss the course, Kristian’s mindset in the race and much more. (00:00) Introduction(01:07) How has Training in Geelong Been? (03:44) Training in Carbon Shoes (04:48) Recovery Post IMNZ(06:08) Did Kristian Feel Overlooked Pre-Race? (07:50) How was the Swim? (10:30) What was Kristian Thinking in T1?  (11:15) Bike Focus for the Day (12:37) Falling off the Back of the Pack  (13:34) Bike Course Thoughts  (16:45) Challenges with Fog  (17:39) Thoughts in T2  (19:35) Run  (22:40) Thoughts When Passing Jelle  (25:00) Thoughts Passing Hayden  (25:50) Was it Helpful Having People Between the Leader and Kristian? (26:27) Flipping the Cap (26:48) Sunglasses (27:33) Did Kristian Want to Ease Off with an Eye on Oceanside? (29:10) Is the Rolling Course Enjoyable? (30:06) The Mentality To Catch Hayden and Jelle (32:54) Kristian’s Thoughts on His Race Tactically(35:40) Training Week Upcoming Pre-Oceanside (37:28) Oceanside Thoughts Thanks to the sponsors of this podcast series:MaurtenTo benefit from the one-time code and get 15% off your next purchase on Maurten.com, simply enter the code “TNMS4” at checkout. The code is applicable once per customer, on all products except the Maurten Bicarb System, valid until 31/12/2026.Maurten WebsiteInstagram: @maurten_officialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaurtenOfficialHosted, edited and produced by Dr David LipmanEditing, video and introduction by Roj Ferman

Gustav and Solveig join David from Sierra Nevada to discuss training camp and how things have gone for them there. Gustav discusses dealing with injury, while Solveig discusses her plans for the year, and what it’s like to be the reigning world champion.  (00:00) Introduction(01:00) How is are things going in Sierra Nevada(01:57) Indoor Trainer vs Outdoor Riding(03:00) Have Solveig & Gustav Been Training Together? (04:18) Who Else is at Sierra Nevada(04:53) What’s Going on With Gustav’s Injury? (06:22) How Have Things Been Going for Solveig? (07:08) Solveig’s Race Calendar?(08:00) How Do Pro’s Setup a Race Calendar and Why?  (11:11) How Does Gustav Need to Change his Year Given his Injury? (12:30) Gustav’s Recent Training  (13:30) Solveig’s Recent Training  (14:23) What Does the Block Between Oceanside and Texas Look Like? (16:00) How Are Solveig and Gustav Feeling Going into Oceanside?  (18:44) How Does Solveig Feel Being Reigning World Champion? (21:42) How Will the Races in Oceanside Playout?  (24:23) How Has Training Alone Been for Solveig? (26:35) How is Gustav Finding Injury Mentally?  (30:00) 20m Rule Discussion  (32:41) Travel Plans for Oceanside and Training Leading into the Race (34:33) Gustav’s Haircut(35:10) Podium Picks for IM 70.3 GeelongThanks to the sponsors of this podcast series:MaurtenTo benefit from the one-time code and get 15% off your next purchase on Maurten.com, simply enter the code “TNMS4” at checkout. The code is applicable once per customer, on all products except the Maurten Bicarb System, valid until 31/12/2026.Maurten WebsiteInstagram: @maurten_officialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaurtenOfficialHosted, edited and produced by Dr David LipmanEditing, video and introduction by Roj Ferman

Kristian and David sit down to debrief Kristian’s day at Ironman New Zealand and how to debrief races more generally. (00:00) Introduction(00:31) How is Kristian(01:02) How has Kristian Found New Zealand? (02:50) Has Kristian Been Sick? (03:24) How did Kristian Find the Swim? (05:58) How Was Kristian Feeling Coming out of the Swim?(07:08) Was Kristian Holding Back Early on the Bike? (09:00) What Happened with Krsitian’s Aero bar?(12:19) What Went Through Kristian’s Mind when the Aero Bar Came Loose? (13:20) How do you Stay Positive and Switch Your Mindset When Something Goes Wrong? (15:49) How Did Kristian Decide not to DNF?(17:38) Did Kristian Have a Second Mechanical? (18:04) Tactical Thoughts on the Bike(18:32) How was the Run? (20:21) How was T2?(20:56) What Happened with Kristian’s Vomiting? (22:02) Why Were Kristian’s Run Splits Yo-Yo’ing? (22:45) How Does Kristian Review a Race? (25:47) How Does Kristian Deal with Bike Mechanic Needs on the Road?  (28:03) Why Was IMNZ so Tough for Kristian?(28:59) What Does Kristian Think of his Tactics Today? (30:10) Do Today’s Results Change How Kristian Thinks about Kona? (31:44) Training Plans Coming up(33:57) Travel Plans Upcoming(34:55) Does IMNZ Change the Year’s Plan? (36:00) Why Did Kristian Decide to do Roth? Thanks to the sponsors of this podcast series:MaurtenTo benefit from the one-time code and get 15% off your next purchase on Maurten.com, simply enter the code “TNMS4” at checkout. The code is applicable once per customer, on all products except the Maurten Bicarb System, valid until 31/12/2026.Maurten WebsiteInstagram: @maurten_officialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaurtenOfficialHosted, edited and produced by Dr David LipmanEditing, video and introduction by Roj Ferman

Kristian joins David to discuss his recent testing results and training. They discuss the reasoning for his season plans and what training and year planning looks like as a result. (00:00) Introduction(00:35) Reasons for Location Change for Training Camp (01:20) Bike Handling Work (01:55) Race Plans Upcoming (02:43) Bike Handling and Bike Fit Struggles (07:02) Season Plans and Training (08:52) Yearly goals (10:22) What Does a Mini-Offseason Look Like? (12:49) Training Planning Process for the Boys (15:15) Tracking Training Progression (17:12) Are the Boys Training Together?  (18:41) Spike Usage and Calf Issues (23:04) Training Adjustments and Plans  (25:54) Compromises for the Racing Block (28:06) Testing Procedures and Protocols (33:57) Historical VO2Max & RER Values (35:40) Reasons for Testing (38:20) Supplements During Testing (41:58) Current Training and Travel (44:09) Heat Training Usage (45:51) Periodising Stressors and Supplements (47:55) Accommodation Situation and Training Partners  Thanks to the sponsors of this podcast series:MaurtenTo benefit from the one-time code and get 15% off your next purchase on Maurten.com, simply enter the code “TNMS4” at checkout. The code is applicable once per customer, on all products except the Maurten Bicarb System, valid until 31/12/2026.Maurten WebsiteInstagram: @maurten_officialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaurtenOfficialHosted, edited and produced by Dr David LipmanEditing, video and introduction by Roj Ferman

The boys join David to review their year, what they have learned from it and what to look for in 2026. (00:00) Introduction(01:00) How did the Year go? (07:47) What Race did the Boys Execute Best in the Year? (09:36) What did the Boys Learn in 2025? (16:54) Changes for 2026(23:00) Plans for Offseason and Preseaon (28:19) Bike Position Plans for 2026(31:32) Thoughts on the Positions of the Half & Full IM World Championships in 2026?   (33:07) New Tech and Testing for 2026 (34:49) 2026 Periodisation (39:26) Predictions for 2026 Thanks to the sponsors of this podcast series:MaurtenTo benefit from the one-time code and get 20% off your next purchase on Maurten.com, simply enter the code “TNMS2” at checkout. The code is applicable once per customer, on all products except the Maurten Bicarb System, valid until 31/12/2025.Maurten WebsiteInstagram: @maurten_officialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaurtenOfficialPlasmaideVisit the plasmaide website and use the code “NM15” for a 15% discount on your order.  Website: https://plasmaide.co.uk Instagram: @plasmaide Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@plasmaide Hosted, edited and produced by Dr David LipmanEditing, video and introduction by Roj Ferman

Olav joins David again to answer a series of listener questions.  (00:00) Introduction(01:00) What Changes for Olav at UNO-X Now That the Men are a World Tour Team? (07:00) Lactate and Expiring Lactate Strips(09:13) The Impact of Caffeine on Lactate Readings (16:24) The Impact of Altitude and Heat on Lactate Readings (21:24) Periodising Supplements like Bicarb and Plasmaide (24:39) SmO2 and Training Prescription (34:40) Getting Reliable Data when Using SmO2 During Running(38:17) The Biggest Myth Olav Wants to Dispel (41:32) How Does Olav Motivate His Athletes (58:44) What is the Next Big Thing in Triathlon? (1:08:00) What Role Would Olav Add to a High Performance Organisation? Thanks to the sponsors of this podcast series:VO2Master To book your 1 on 1 call head to https://vo2master.com/norwegian-method/Website: https://vo2master.com/ Instagram: @vo2masterYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VO2Master MaurtenTo benefit from the one-time code and get 20% off your next purchase on Maurten.com, simply enter the code “TNMS1” at checkout. The code is applicable once per customer, on all products except the Maurten Bicarb System, valid until 31/12/2025.Maurten WebsiteInstagram: @maurten_officialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaurtenOfficialHosted, edited and produced by Dr David LipmanEditing, video and introduction by Roj Ferman

Olav joins David to answer a series of listener questions.  (00:00) Introduction(00:57) Linking Metabolics to Output(16:00) How Do You Track Changes in Efficiency?  (27:33) How Much Training Time Should Be Spent Above Race Pace in Ultramarathons?(35:51) How Would Olav Write a Program for a Pro Runner?(45:03) Cross Training for Runners (47:33) Who Influenced Olav Inside & Outside Coaching? (54:38) What Resources Inside & Outside Coaching Have Influenced Olav the Most? (1:01:37) Advice to a Young Coach(1:02:47) A Mistake That Olav Made Early in CoachingThanks to the sponsors of this podcast series:VO2Master To book your 1 on 1 call head to https://vo2master.com/norwegian-method/Website: https://vo2master.com/ Instagram: @vo2masterYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VO2Master MaurtenTo benefit from the one-time code and get 20% off your next purchase on Maurten.com, simply enter the code “TNMS1” at checkout. The code is applicable once per customer, on all products except the Maurten Bicarb System, valid until 31/12/2025.Maurten WebsiteInstagram: @maurten_officialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaurtenOfficialHosted, edited and produced by Dr David LipmanEditing, video and introduction by Roj Ferman

Kristian joins David to discuss his second place at the IM 70.3 World Championships in Marbella. (00:00) Introduction(00:30) How is Kristian?  (02:00) Kristian Talking to Officials on the First Climb (02:40) Race Recap (05:30) Bike Course (08:00) Final Portion of the Bike and the Run (11:36) Potential Errors in Judgement and Training (12:47) 70.3 is Closer to Short Course than Ironman  (15:50) Tactical Choices Late in the Bike and Through T2(17:16) Looking Behind vs in Front on the Run (18:09) Jelle Trying to Get Kristian to Lead on the Run (19:12) Northern European Dominance (19:40) Did Jonas and Jaime Surprise Kristian? (21:05) Reason for European Dominance (21:49) Casper Yelling at Kristian(23:42) How are the Other Boys? (25:09) Spending the IM Pro Series Winnings (26:08) Changes to his Bike Pre Race (28:17) Is a Loss Easier or Harder to Take if There are Obvious Mistakes? (29:49) Plans Going Forward (31:30) Running in Spikes Thanks to the sponsors of this podcast series:MaurtenTo benefit from the one-time code and get 20% off your next purchase on Maurten.com, simply enter the code “TNMS2” at checkout. The code is applicable once per customer, on all products except the Maurten Bicarb System, valid until 31/12/2025.Maurten WebsiteInstagram: @maurten_officialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaurtenOfficialPlasmaideVisit the plasmaide website and use the code “NM15” for a 15% discount on your order.  Website: https://plasmaide.co.uk Instagram: @plasmaide Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@plasmaide Eight Sleep Use the code “KRISTIAN” at eightsleep.com/kristian for up to $700 off the Pod 5 Ultra until December 1st. Try it for 30 days risk-free.Website: https://eightsleep.com/kristian Instagram: @eightsleepYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@eight_sleep Hosted, edited and produced by Dr David LipmanEditing, video and introduction by Roj Ferman

The guys join David from Sierra Nevada to discuss their recovery from IMWC Nice, how they’re building into Marbella and previewing the race. (00:00) Introduction(00:30) Sauna (01:22) Rest Day Activities (02:00) First 2 Weeks in Training Camp(02:47) How was Recovery Post Nice? (05:28) Altitude and Travel Plans(07:57) What Changes in Preparation for a 70.3 vs an Ironman (08:36) How Are Paces and Power Number at Altitude vs Sea Level (09:55) Key Sessions(12:37) How is Sierra Nevada?  (14:42) Finding a Swim Coach(15:26) Why Did the Boys Go To Altitude Pre-Race?(16:00) Marbella Course (23:27) How Are the Boys Feeling at This Stage of the Season? (28:04) How is Casper Going?(28:27) Car Chat(30:23) Gustav’s 2 Years(33:00) Early Race Announcements(35:24) Race Day Predictions(39:32) Who is Bringing the Vibes? Thanks to the sponsors of this podcast series:MaurtenTo benefit from the one-time code and get 20% off your next purchase on Maurten.com, simply enter the code “TNMS2” at checkout. The code is applicable once per customer, on all products except the Maurten Bicarb System, valid until 31/12/2025.Maurten WebsiteInstagram: @maurten_officialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaurtenOfficialPlasmaideVisit the plasmaide website and use the code “NM15” for a 15% discount on your order.  Website: https://plasmaide.co.uk Instagram: @plasmaide Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@plasmaide Eight Sleep “Use the code “KRISTIAN” at eightsleep.com/kristian for up to $350 off the Pod 5 Ultra.Try it for 30 days risk-free.”Website: https://eightsleep.com/kristian Instagram: @eightsleepYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@eight_sleep Hosted, edited and produced by Dr David LipmanEditing, video and introduction by Roj Ferman