I’ve watched this documentary twice now and I really think that I have learned something. Next time that I do some extreme event (soon, for sure) I will focus upon positive words and dismiss any anxiety as soon as the thought even occurs. Every time you think ‘brutal’ change it to ‘beautiful’. Physical suffering feeds negative thoughts which can only hurt us. Kill those thoughts, forget the black shirt and enjoy the moment. Do this Greg and I do believe you will still be able to complete the Norseman when you’re 70.
I love that... brutal to beautiful!!!! Thanks so much!!! Yes it's quite a lesson that one, isn't it??? I learned this literally when another runner had slipped in beside me as I was passing him and we were encouraging ourselves and each other for a while as he kept at my pace! But when he started complaining it was hard, too hard, I noticed how it started to get so much harder for me too, like an added weight!! I didn't have the experience to help him nor myself with positive thoughts, so I just put my head down and fortunately left him behind almost immediately. What a lesson it was!!! To remember to do that in the moment when you can't even control your brain any more... well, that's another thing!😂 Training I guess!!!! Thanks Patrick!!
Well, If i remember correctly she said stuff like - "hope it's over soon" and so on. The first reaction was nothing like "i am proud of having and incredible fit, driven and strong man, so him training to reach that is fine with me" or sth like that. Women always want the rich Chad, but not what it takes to get there 🙄
I'm a native of Telemark, Mt Gausta is my favorite mountain and I've scaled it many times. I simply cannot image doing so at the end of the Norseman! My sister's son crashed in Zombie Hill one year, then he got a top-10 finish the next year. Two of his cousins (my son and my brother's son) ran more or less the entire marathon together with him, but this angered a semi-pro from Germany who complained. The next year they made this illegal. That said, getting a black shirt after turning 50 is an amazing achievement, bravo!
Greg- Thank you for a fabulous honest account of all you have endured pre /during & after the event. Well Done Buddy amazing job spot on. All or nothing atall!!
Due to health and safety regulations, linked to the very fast (speeds in excess of 60 km/h), technical, narrow descents and flat sections of the bike course, we were unable to film descents and flat sections of the course. To that end, whilst the importance of wind tunnel testing and aerodynamics appears somewhat incongruous in the film given the focus on the up-hill section of the course, there was significant value in exploring marginal gains for the extensive periods of descent and flat (hours in duration) on the course.
Well done, Greg ! Thank you for letting me ( 330 ) and my support team be a part of this excelent Norseman movie. ( 39:15 ) Im so happy you got your well deserved black t-shirt !!!!
Lovely to meet you on the boat Greg. Brings back a few memories. Hot day mainly and how much I wasn’t prepared for it but, as you said here, strong mind gets you there. Congratulations on finishing a real tough event. Have a look at Patagonman, you’d love it.
Best documentary of its kind I have seen. What an incredible achievement. Well done Greg and team and thank you for taking us with you on such a journey.
Thanks for this, brilliant piece. Watched this at 6am this morning on the treadmill with the snow belting off the windows. Being of a similar vintage and having not raced an IM since July 19 due to the pandemic I was struggling for motivation but this could be my go to for the next few sessions. Chapeau!
Thank you Kieran. I am delighted you enjoyed watching whilst running. Competition will return, maintaining conditioning during these difficult times will deliver you to the next start line ready to race.
I've watched this documentary yesterday while preparing for my first ironman 70.3... It's incredibly motivating... Also being a junior researcher, I'm inspired by how Prof. Whyte has dedicated his life to endurance sports and I would like to do the same !
Thank you for this awesome documentary. As a 2016 black t-shirt finisher in what was my first ever triathlon, I could relate to almost every part of your story. This brought back fond memories. I've since partaken in more long-distance triathlons (I can't recommend the Swissman enough!), but none of those felt as adventurous as this first experience in Norway.
“You ask me why am doing this… family is at the centre of it. I want to be a positive role model for my children.” 12:35 While I enjoyed this video, for me this part struck a false note. It’s the biggest issue I have with triathlon. I think that triathlon is actually quite a selfish pursuit. I have a family myself, and all the many many hours I spend training, I could instead spend with my children. I think triathletes do it first and foremost for themselves. I think that it’s wrong to try and pretend that we do it for our kids. Greg, and the rest of you triathletes out there who are parents, I would like to hear your thoughts.
First and foremost, be honest with yourself, and then with others. You are absolutely right, every time that I do an event, my family suffers. You noticed what I also noticed, not only that, how many of these people really enjoy the ‘doing’ ?
WOW! What an amazing documentary. What a brutal race it is indeed. The happy bank mentality...will always be in my mind from now on. Couldn't help getting emotional at the end. Cheers.
Wow buddy just wow, I love this it’s what makes me put my trainers on when it’s pissing it down and freezing out, I tell my self it’s just water and I’ll be warm in 2 miles. What an inspiration great job 💪💪💪💪
I can relate to that silly ‘what’s next?’ question 😂 Thanks for this v inspirational video. Great storytelling! Now let’s go invest in the happiness bank :)
Amazing, Greg. Truly inspirational. I know someone who has done the Norseman in the past (he's got the tattoo on his ankle - did you get that?!) and I never truly got how brutal this challenge was. Great film and awesome achievement. I was knocked off my bike in a hit and run last summer and fractured my elbow. I'll never be able to fully straighten my arm again as it's held together with plates and screws and I have not yet been out on the road but this film has given me renewed energy & focus. Thank you 🙏
Ive not done the Norseman but have done a number of IM and yes, Greg, I know that nagging feeling at the end. It’s relentless and hasn’t left me. Not yet anyway!
Outstanding documentary. I watched it during my lunch break eating a cheese sandwich with a packet of crisps!!! Feeing guilty now! Your mental strength is phenomenal. Truly inspiring. I promise to never moan at another hill on my Orro ever again!
This was so awesome to watch. I’m an educator too. Thank you for the inspiration. I’m currently training for the Ironman 70.3. I’ll keep you in mind when I’m racing.
Great documentary Greg - and u have described it very good. It is a day to remember whatever emotions while doing it. i have done it 9 times - and still i feel the feelings i have had during those 9 times. Just watching this film takes me back there instantly :) . I hope u find a new project - especially during these times we have all over the world .
Hi, I watched your video whilst on the treadmill training for my IM Bolton in July, it was truly inspiring, I am of similar age to you and believe you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. Your motto is spot on!!
Congratulations for your impressive accomplishment and congratulations also to your crew and family. Also, an excellent documentary because of your precise, honest, clear, enthusiastic narration and the awesome videography and editing. Thank you! I like the image of the happiness bank and will use that in my race training.
Thank You Natasha. The team were instrumental in success, and the Happy Bank has worked for me on so many ultra-challenges. Success is created in training.
Again I learned something new: You can withdraw happiness from your brain if you deposited enough through training. Thats a rather enriching way of looking at hardships and I will keep this in mind for when I need it :) thanks again for the inspiration Mr. Superprofessor :)
Thank you Ryan. I am awaiting on the outcome of a ballot place for another ultra, and planning for an ultra swim challenge (restrictions permitting!). Lots of hard work to come!
Well done Greg! Just watched this having got a White T-shirt this year, brought it all flooding back. Wow we had the polar opposite weather this yr, driving rain and -2degree temps at the top of the first climb! You’ve only gone and made me want to go back for Black! 😉
This guy has trained a lot of celebrities in the past, helping them to achieve their goals while they were raising a lot of money for charity... chapeau! This time he has decided to have a deserved "fun" by himself. I must say the professionality of his supporters has been pretty much like the one he has provided to the celebrities in the past years... chapeau 2! :-) Considering he has finished this nice documentary saying: "What next?", I would suggest to try to do this brutal race again, taking it easy during the leg swim, in order to come out of the water in better physical conditions (aka no cramps). Possibly, this thing could affect positively the bike leg, making it a tiny bit easier (at least during the first climb 0-55K). My 2 pennies' worth. :-)
Greg, great result and fantastic documentary. I think a lot of athletes could gain from your experiences. Well done - an inspiration for my up coming Roth race. Unfortunately not a competer - just a completer. But for me it's not the race but the journey to the finish line that pushes me. Again congrats and look forward to the next event
Wonderful documentary - as a guy in his mid50s into extreme triathlons, with achilles and knee issues, loads resonated. As you say you can do these things when you are older- I am hoping to carry on for a while yet - if you put in consistent training (doesn't have to be that intense) and mentally prepare yourself to not go too fast at any stage and just keep going when it gets tough. as for what next - there are some great extreme triathlons in the UK e.g. triathlon X, Celtman, Brutal or Jurassicman - as well as some fabulous excuses for wonderful holidays overseas (e.g. Patagonman, Swissman, Austria, Himalxtri) - just hope they can take place again soon. p.s. When I did the Norseman it was very cold (there was still some snow at sea level) and then super hot on the run - heat nearly did for me too!
You and Gregg James inspired myself and some friends to do our own brutal3peaks, raising money for the children’s hospice south west a couple of years ago. When I finished that I said what next......this Sunday I should have been running from Trafalgar Square back to Bristol (112m) again raising money for the hospice. I have had to postpone because of the pandemic but it will happen when I’m allowed. I do these challenges because of the work you do with sport relief. You show anything is possible. Good luck with any future challenge.
Absolutely fantastic video Greg. “... weeing on his shoes while he was applying anti-chafe cream and pushing food into my mouth ... the glamour of ultra-endurance!” - living the dream 🤣🤣
Thank you Tom. Credit must go to the amazing team - Director of Photography - Ben Hull; First Camera (and Drone specialist) - Matt Littler; Second Camera (Driver) - Andy Digweed; and Support - Richard Ball. Teamwork makes the Dreamwork
Nice Story Greg, I met you at the Airport prior to the race - Waiting for the bike to turn up:) I Got my Black too. We were so lucky with the timing of this race, I feel so bad for the people the following year. All The best
I remember meeting Roo. Thank you for your kind words and congratulations on your Black, it is well-earned! I agree, it is a real shame for last years competitors. What an experience!
@@ProfessorGregWhyte I remember every single meter of the route you have shown in the film with fond(ish) memories. Especially Zombie Hill!! I really miss the comradery and the buzz of these events. Just after Norseman I was badly hit by a car, then in January this year whilst in recovery was hit by another car. That's Life I Guess! Still these memories will remain and your film has brought back so much. Thank you.
Great documentary and well done Greg! I heard my wife speaking through yours 😝 having also 3 kids I do get push back for my first 70.3 IM... to your question what’s next: Patagonman! If you loved Norway, you will be completely thrilled by southern Chile. Think about it! Cheers mate
Thanks. Running shoe was a real dilemma with such varying terrain, mine looked heavier than they were, and worked out well, particularly for the downhill return home! ;)
Great video!! I also raced Norseman in 2019, and it was so great to watch this and look back on an epic day! Big congratulations on your well earned black t-shirt :) Oh, yeah....the what´s next part... I think we are wired a little bit different than most people, because I know that feeling all to well myself, haha.
@@ProfessorGregWhyte the Norseman is my favorite event... I don't know why ... As I don't like cold weather, cold water but it's like this. First thinking in doing a "normal" 140.3 someday ... Already done marathon and 70.3 ... And I need to know if I can with the big one. But I might do it here in my little colombian village ... Alone, just by myself ... There are not 140.3 here in Colombia, so going abroad is too expensive and with the Covid-19, almost impossible. So when I decide that I will do it ... I will design the course here and do it alone. But it requires at least 1 year of preparation for me ... So, still looking at personal work situation to see when I have 1 year to be able to prepare it. Still young ... 52, so it's ok. Thanks for your answer and sharing your experience, I helps a lot
Great video, and only losing 25 places on the run leg is incredible considering the battle you went through (you were 105 at end of T2). Congrats on the black t-shirt, 100% deserved especially as you overtook 4 people on that climb!!! A few thoughts if i may... Running with road shoes / cleats is the worse thing you can do as it stop your natural foot roll and puts a lot of strain on your achilles / calf area. One compromise is to use MTB shoes (not the new ones, those we had 10 years ago) as they are better for foot roll, and if you transistion is on grass, it is really compliant and saved me a lot of muscles pain. Did your team look into cassette / crank ring gear ratio considering this is essentially a mountain ride? (13-34 cassette with 44-32 chain ring or even 40-30 and as light as possible too: SRAM red is super light and shimano compatible, in worst case a 42-32-22t triple chain ring could also have been an ultra safe option) You seem to be grinding a lot, hence the pain. A lot of people who are passing you have a higher cadence, and it seems smaller chainrings relative to yours? I am sure you are aware that Chris Froom is a hardcore spinner, with very high cadence, big cassette and small chain rings, and he won a few tour de France with that setup. Spin to win is nowadays a stable of high level biking, even in triahtlon. High spinning cadence also helps with muscle fatigue, alleviating / slowing down lactic acid release and crucially a 90-95 cadence on a bike is excellent to stop that jelly leg feeling when starting to run. Being aero is cool but in the mountains, spin to win is king. Also, not sure a full aero helmet in a hot day on the mountain is a great choice for heat dissipation and fighting hyperthermia, did you have a non aero backup helmet? Why not change from tri-suit to a pair of short /running vest combo (ok, 1min lost maybe)? how much of an advantage is a soaked tri-suit when running a hilly route? You could also make the argument, that in the case of a typical norseman weather, a set of fresh, dry running clothes would be welcome and bring a bit of heat to your body.
I can’t be the only one wondering about the descent from the finish? What goes up must come down, correct? Brutal after all that effort that you then have to keep walking. Amazing effort. Well done.
Thank you Roland. We should have filmed the walk down from the top of the mountain, hilarious! We could have waited for the train down the mountain but, in a moment of madness, we decided we would walk down - that was a mistake!
First well done, God I'd love to try Norseman but don't tell family, trouble is the cold would kill me. Yeah, that would be the only issue! Good to see focus on family, you don't get to do another IM if you drop them. Have you published your training plan to see how you split your time in each training zone? It was odd seeing quite a bit of hard core sweating on the turbo and I wondered if it was to up the pace of the video or was that to build power for hills. I spend 90% of the time in zone 2 which is boring as hell. Good luck with research and racing.
Thanks Rob. I haven't published the training programme, perhaps I should! re: High intensity sessions - my approach is to direct performance into its component parts (i.e. VO2max, economy, power (inc.strength), anaerobic capacity etc.). Having done that, I profile myself (testing) to identify strengths and weaknesses. Having established specific targets for training, I programme sessions that improve each determinant. I cover this in detail in my book: 'Achieve the Impossible' (check out 'The Shop' at my website: www.thewhyteanswer.com ) p.s. I would put There Norseman on your list, it is truly iconic
Great film !! So good to know that we are in love with some kind of suffering ! Whitney was my black shirt, which I achieved last year. This year will be 140 mile trek on the John Muir trail with my life on my back for 2 weeks....here comes the hurt..and every time, I think to myself never again, and as I'm done..I start to plan.
@@ProfessorGregWhyte Yes, indeed. Would love to apply your training principles to my CrossFit training and preparing for my hikes ! Having so much trouble as I age (64).
Great documentary! What next?...have a look at Triathlon X (full distance one). The bike course is definitely tougher, was voted in 220 Mag as toughest Tri and few years ago.
@@ProfessorGregWhyte it's on the list! I'm a bit too 'short course' to take it on just yet. My main sport has always been swimming, with very little competitive experience past 400m! Just the odd 1500m during tri's - which I always did far too fast! I'm a decent cyclist, but a woeful runner. A long cold swim after a 5m jump is my idea of heaven. A marathon up a stunning mountain both fills me with dread and a longing to conquer it! One day! Fantastic insight into what it takes to complete this awesome adventure/challenge
No gloves or socks for the swim? Jeez Prof Whyte, that's crazy! Did you train (1) train specifically to deal with the cold, (2) it wasn't that cold, or (3) you are just plane crazy? Great doc btw.
I trained for the cold. I rarely wear boots and gloves, as they negatively impact my speed, and once the hands and feet have gone numb, they don't bother me (they can really hurt when I get out!). Thew water temp on the day was c.15oC - not too bad!
Thanks Chris. I had a project planned for 2020 which was cancelled due to restrictions. Unfortunately, it looks like it might be cancelled this year too! I am in conversation for a late year challenge which, I hope, be able to go ahead. There are still so many challenges waiting out there.
@@ProfessorGregWhyte That’s unfortunate Greg, fingers crossed your late year challenge goes ahead. My own list of challenges only seems to get bigger each year and after your video, Norseman is a must now too. Best of luck sir.
This is nuts. Its crazy. I wonder if any athletes develop rhabdomyolysis from this. Be interesting to see their creatinine levels pre and post completion. This is beyond human 😃
I’ve watched this documentary twice now and I really think that I have learned something. Next time that I do some extreme event (soon, for sure) I will focus upon positive words and dismiss any anxiety as soon as the thought even occurs. Every time you think ‘brutal’ change it to ‘beautiful’. Physical suffering feeds negative thoughts which can only hurt us. Kill those thoughts, forget the black shirt and enjoy the moment. Do this Greg and I do believe you will still be able to complete the Norseman when you’re 70.
I love that... brutal to beautiful!!!! Thanks so much!!! Yes it's quite a lesson that one, isn't it??? I learned this literally when another runner had slipped in beside me as I was passing him and we were encouraging ourselves and each other for a while as he kept at my pace! But when he started complaining it was hard, too hard, I noticed how it started to get so much harder for me too, like an added weight!! I didn't have the experience to help him nor myself with positive thoughts, so I just put my head down and fortunately left him behind almost immediately. What a lesson it was!!! To remember to do that in the moment when you can't even control your brain any more... well, that's another thing!😂 Training I guess!!!! Thanks Patrick!!
its a good beer when its described as "an angel crying on your tongue"
;)
Well done on finishing an Ironman and still being married :)
That was the real challenge! ;)
🤣
hahaha! My husbands side chick is a Trek.
If a marriage is not strong enough for one part to do an iron man it probably wasn’t meant to be.
Well, If i remember correctly she said stuff like - "hope it's over soon" and so on. The first reaction was nothing like "i am proud of having and incredible fit, driven and strong man, so him training to reach that is fine with me" or sth like that.
Women always want the rich Chad, but not what it takes to get there 🙄
I'm a native of Telemark, Mt Gausta is my favorite mountain and I've scaled it many times. I simply cannot image doing so at the end of the Norseman! My sister's son crashed in Zombie Hill one year, then he got a top-10 finish the next year. Two of his cousins (my son and my brother's son) ran more or less the entire marathon together with him, but this angered a semi-pro from Germany who complained. The next year they made this illegal.
That said, getting a black shirt after turning 50 is an amazing achievement, bravo!
Greg- Thank you for a fabulous honest account of all you have endured pre /during & after the event. Well Done Buddy amazing job spot on. All or nothing atall!!
Due to health and safety regulations, linked to the very fast (speeds in excess of 60 km/h), technical, narrow descents and flat sections of the bike course, we were unable to film descents and flat sections of the course. To that end, whilst the importance of wind tunnel testing and aerodynamics appears somewhat incongruous in the film given the focus on the up-hill section of the course, there was significant value in exploring marginal gains for the extensive periods of descent and flat (hours in duration) on the course.
Well done, Greg ! Thank you for letting me ( 330 ) and my support team be a part of this excelent Norseman movie. ( 39:15 ) Im so happy you got your well deserved black t-shirt !!!!
Thanks Are. I'm delighted you and your support team were featured, we couldn't do it without our support teams.
Lovely to meet you on the boat Greg. Brings back a few memories. Hot day mainly and how much I wasn’t prepared for it but, as you said here, strong mind gets you there. Congratulations on finishing a real tough event. Have a look at Patagonman, you’d love it.
Waiting on the boat is one of the most iconic periods of the race. Remember, the cold spray and the jump-off! Patagonman looks amazing.
“So what’s next? “
Every endurance athlete can relate- going from - “I’m never doing this again” to “what’s next”👏🏾👏🏾
Best documentary of its kind I have seen. What an incredible achievement. Well done Greg and team and thank you for taking us with you on such a journey.
Great story Greg! As an endurance athlete years ago, you make me want to get back at it.
Thank you Mark.
Go for it, it's never to late; age is just a number!
Thanks for this, brilliant piece. Watched this at 6am this morning on the treadmill with the snow belting off the windows. Being of a similar vintage and having not raced an IM since July 19 due to the pandemic I was struggling for motivation but this could be my go to for the next few sessions. Chapeau!
Get out in the snow! I'm 65 training for a 50k ULTRA.
That 50k sounds handy, I've a 4k swim and a 180k cycle to do as a warm up first before hand.🤣
Thank you Kieran. I am delighted you enjoyed watching whilst running. Competition will return, maintaining conditioning during these difficult times will deliver you to the next start line ready to race.
Very inspirational! Doing my first ever triathlon this year in Bolton and this has helped with my prep. Many thanks
Thank you Simon. Good luck in Bolton.
Great performance, great documentary and great inspiration. This made my day, and I will carry your accievement with me for a long time.
Thank you Mathias
Doing it for the "old guys." Inspirational Greg.
Thanks Raul. Age is just a number!
I've watched this documentary yesterday while preparing for my first ironman 70.3... It's incredibly motivating... Also being a junior researcher, I'm inspired by how Prof. Whyte has dedicated his life to endurance sports and I would like to do the same !
Thank you Jalal. Good luck with preparation for the 70.3, and you research career.
Great watch. I did Ironman UK at age 51 (as a swimmer on a bike) but Norseman is another level. Well done on the black T-shirt.
Thanks Amanda. Ironman UK in Bolton has got some serious hills on it too, well done on your success.
Thank you for this awesome documentary. As a 2016 black t-shirt finisher in what was my first ever triathlon, I could relate to almost every part of your story. This brought back fond memories. I've since partaken in more long-distance triathlons (I can't recommend the Swissman enough!), but none of those felt as adventurous as this first experience in Norway.
Thank you. Swissman looks amazing, don't tell my wife!
“You ask me why am doing this… family is at the centre of it. I want to be a positive role model for my children.” 12:35
While I enjoyed this video, for me this part struck a false note. It’s the biggest issue I have with triathlon. I think that triathlon is actually quite a selfish pursuit. I have a family myself, and all the many many hours I spend training, I could instead spend with my children. I think triathletes do it first and foremost for themselves. I think that it’s wrong to try and pretend that we do it for our kids.
Greg, and the rest of you triathletes out there who are parents, I would like to hear your thoughts.
First and foremost, be honest with yourself, and then with others. You are absolutely right, every time that I do an event, my family suffers. You noticed what I also noticed, not only that, how many of these people really enjoy the ‘doing’ ?
CT by cub
Hey Greg great achievement and super documentary, it’s without doubt a tough day out but as you say ‘Nothing good comes easy’ Adam
Thank you Julie
“Mindset is everything” and she is NOTHING! I believe it! I loved the video!
Man, this is so....breathtaking! Awesome. Greetings from 🇩🇪
Thank you. The Norseman will certainly take your breath away (particularly up the mountains!)
What an incredible story and achievement, well done Greg! Also, this documentary is absolutely phenomenal!
WOW! What an amazing documentary. What a brutal race it is indeed. The happy bank mentality...will always be in my mind from now on. Couldn't help getting emotional at the end. Cheers.
Thank you Miguel. The Happy Bank has helped me through so many ultra-challenges.
Success is created in Training.
Fabulous, inspiring and moved by this wonderful achievement.
Thoroughly enjoyable documentary….what an awesome achievement - well done Greg!!!
Congratulations, you are a huge inspiration for many people.
Thank you Jarek
Wow buddy just wow, I love this it’s what makes me put my trainers on when it’s pissing it down and freezing out, I tell my self it’s just water and I’ll be warm in 2 miles. What an inspiration great job 💪💪💪💪
Thank you
You know you are an athlete when you can watch this film and think "I want to do that" all for the black t shirt. :-)
Go for it Christine. The Norseman is a real adventure with some breath taking scenery (if you have got the energy to look!
I can relate to that silly ‘what’s next?’ question 😂 Thanks for this v inspirational video. Great storytelling! Now let’s go invest in the happiness bank :)
Thanks Hamadel. There's no doubt that success is won in training.
Great video Greg, well done for the race.
Thanks Ian, I trust all is well.
great film, you're fantastic, Greg! So inspiring! Greetings from 🇭🇺
Thank you Istvan. I can't wait to get back to Hungary.
Amazing, Greg. Truly inspirational. I know someone who has done the Norseman in the past (he's got the tattoo on his ankle - did you get that?!) and I never truly got how brutal this challenge was. Great film and awesome achievement. I was knocked off my bike in a hit and run last summer and fractured my elbow. I'll never be able to fully straighten my arm again as it's held together with plates and screws and I have not yet been out on the road but this film has given me renewed energy & focus. Thank you 🙏
Thank you Guy. No tattoo yet, due to lockdown! but, I am very tempted to get inked.
Ive not done the Norseman but have done a number of IM and yes, Greg, I know that nagging feeling at the end. It’s relentless and hasn’t left me. Not yet anyway!
Let's hope it never leaves us Michael; it's the challenge that keeps us going!
Utterly amazing, thanks for documenting and sharing!
Outstanding documentary. I watched it during my lunch break eating a cheese sandwich with a packet of crisps!!! Feeing guilty now! Your mental strength is phenomenal. Truly inspiring. I promise to never moan at another hill on my Orro ever again!
Thank Jon. Interestingly, a cheese sandwich (often with Picallili!) is my favourite snack during a long bike!
Professor, you should'a called me. I have an extra black T shirt in my closet - Size M. :)
If only I knew! ;)
mans is built like a gd machine. multi-disciplinary champion in several sports? an athlete upon athlete. made to compete. wow.
This is such a fantastic priduction. Thank you so much!
This was so awesome to watch. I’m an educator too. Thank you for the inspiration. I’m currently training for the Ironman 70.3. I’ll keep you in mind when I’m racing.
Your crew buddy is a superstar ! And I loved the emotion when youre talking about your family cos at the end of the day thats really the best 'why' 🤗
Great documentary Greg - and u have described it very good. It is a day to remember whatever emotions while doing it. i have done it 9 times - and still i feel the feelings i have had during those 9 times. Just watching this film takes me back there instantly :) . I hope u find a new project - especially during these times we have all over the world .
9 times Tim; you are a legend. I am looking forward to the next challenge.
@@ProfessorGregWhyte , challenges are the best way of living. So keep it up Greg😁
Hi, I watched your video whilst on the treadmill training for my IM Bolton in July, it was truly inspiring, I am of similar age to you and believe you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. Your motto is spot on!!
Thank you Darren. Good luck in Bolton, it is a great race, with a fabulous crowd. The bike is lumpy!
Congratulations for your impressive accomplishment and congratulations also to your crew and family. Also, an excellent documentary because of your precise, honest, clear, enthusiastic narration and the awesome videography and editing. Thank you! I like the image of the happiness bank and will use that in my race training.
Thank You Natasha. The team were instrumental in success, and the Happy Bank has worked for me on so many ultra-challenges. Success is created in training.
So emotional to watch and amazingly inspirational. Thanks for sharing your journey.
A wonderful, inspirational experience. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Thank you.
Brilliant, loved everything about this film, so inspirational and a quite amazing achievement.
Thank you Richard
Again I learned something new: You can withdraw happiness from your brain if you deposited enough through training. Thats a rather enriching way of looking at hardships and I will keep this in mind for when I need it :) thanks again for the inspiration Mr. Superprofessor :)
Fantastic achievement and a brilliant watch 👍!! Have you decided what is next?
Thank you Ryan. I am awaiting on the outcome of a ballot place for another ultra, and planning for an ultra swim challenge (restrictions permitting!). Lots of hard work to come!
Well done Greg!
Just watched this having got a White T-shirt this year, brought it all flooding back. Wow we had the polar opposite weather this yr, driving rain and -2degree temps at the top of the first climb!
You’ve only gone and made me want to go back for Black! 😉
I loved every minute of this video. So good!
This guy has trained a lot of celebrities in the past, helping them to achieve their goals while they were raising a lot of money for charity... chapeau!
This time he has decided to have a deserved "fun" by himself.
I must say the professionality of his supporters has been pretty much like the one he has provided to the celebrities in the past years... chapeau 2! :-)
Considering he has finished this nice documentary saying: "What next?", I would suggest to try to do this brutal race again, taking it easy during the leg swim, in order to come out of the water in better physical conditions (aka no cramps). Possibly, this thing could affect positively the bike leg, making it a tiny bit easier (at least during the first climb 0-55K). My 2 pennies' worth. :-)
Thank you. There is no doubt about the team, they were amazing.
Teamwork makes the Dreamwork
I was there in 2019 as photographer, incredible experience!
Such a stunning location for photography.
@@ProfessorGregWhyte Yes!
Greg, great result and fantastic documentary. I think a lot of athletes could gain from your experiences. Well done - an inspiration for my up coming Roth race. Unfortunately not a competer - just a completer. But for me it's not the race but the journey to the finish line that pushes me. Again congrats and look forward to the next event
Thank you John. Good luck in Roth; to complete is to win. Keep up the training. Remember, success is won in training.
Wonderful documentary - as a guy in his mid50s into extreme triathlons, with achilles and knee issues, loads resonated. As you say you can do these things when you are older- I am hoping to carry on for a while yet - if you put in consistent training (doesn't have to be that intense) and mentally prepare yourself to not go too fast at any stage and just keep going when it gets tough. as for what next - there are some great extreme triathlons in the UK e.g. triathlon X, Celtman, Brutal or Jurassicman - as well as some fabulous excuses for wonderful holidays overseas (e.g. Patagonman, Swissman, Austria, Himalxtri) - just hope they can take place again soon. p.s. When I did the Norseman it was very cold (there was still some snow at sea level) and then super hot on the run - heat nearly did for me too!
Thank you Nick. I am hopefully for a return to challenges this year, I have missed it!
Respect for finishing Norseman
A truly inspiring film. What an achievement - well done 👍👍
Thank you Rich
well done greg!! i will add this to my list of future achievements to aim for im no where near fit enough yet but i will get there :)
Thank you. The Norseman is a fabulous event, definitely one for the list
I’m not crying! You are 😢
You and Gregg James inspired myself and some friends to do our own brutal3peaks, raising money for the children’s hospice south west a couple of years ago. When I finished that I said what next......this Sunday I should have been running from Trafalgar Square back to Bristol (112m) again raising money for the hospice. I have had to postpone because of the pandemic but it will happen when I’m allowed.
I do these challenges because of the work you do with sport relief. You show anything is possible.
Good luck with any future challenge.
Congratulations on your 3 peaks success. Good luck with the run, when it happens. Running for a great cause.
Fantastic chap, well done
Thank you
Great film and an even better achievement!
Thank you
Congrats and thanks a lot for sharing!
Thank you Fabian
Thank you for this great piece of motivation an insight - i'll keep on training and taking part in the draws ;-)
Thank Johann. Keep trying, your place will come; it is definitely worth the wait.
Absolutely fantastic video Greg.
“... weeing on his shoes while he was applying anti-chafe cream and pushing food into my mouth ... the glamour of ultra-endurance!” - living the dream 🤣🤣
Thanks Ken. Living the dream indeed!
Amazing and so inspirational! Well done Greg.
Thank you Steve
Loved it! You’re an awesome athlete and filmmaker! Well done!
Thank you Tom. Credit must go to the amazing team - Director of Photography - Ben Hull; First Camera (and Drone specialist) - Matt Littler; Second Camera (Driver) - Andy Digweed; and Support - Richard Ball.
Teamwork makes the Dreamwork
Nice Story Greg, I met you at the Airport prior to the race - Waiting for the bike to turn up:) I Got my Black too. We were so lucky with the timing of this race, I feel so bad for the people the following year. All The best
I remember meeting Roo. Thank you for your kind words and congratulations on your Black, it is well-earned! I agree, it is a real shame for last years competitors. What an experience!
@@ProfessorGregWhyte I remember every single meter of the route you have shown in the film with fond(ish) memories. Especially Zombie Hill!! I really miss the comradery and the buzz of these events. Just after Norseman I was badly hit by a car, then in January this year whilst in recovery was hit by another car. That's Life I Guess! Still these memories will remain and your film has brought back so much. Thank you.
Great documentary and well done Greg! I heard my wife speaking through yours 😝 having also 3 kids I do get push back for my first 70.3 IM... to your question what’s next: Patagonman! If you loved Norway, you will be completely thrilled by southern Chile. Think about it! Cheers mate
Thank you Diego. Patagonman looks magnificent, don't tell my wife!
I won‘t her but tell me if you plan to go 😉
what an inspiration! Well done Greg
Thank you Ricardo
So inspirational!!!
Thank you Ghanesh
Not only an impressive feat, but a solid narrative!!
Amazing watch. Not surprised the marathon was a struggle though wearing those heavy trail running shoes for road running.
Thanks. Running shoe was a real dilemma with such varying terrain, mine looked heavier than they were, and worked out well, particularly for the downhill return home! ;)
You are a total legend
Thank you Kate
Forgot to mention the terrific music!
Thank you Natasha. Music was created for the film by a truly outstanding musician. I love it too.
Absolutely inspiring. Great video!!
Thank you Grant
Great video!! I also raced Norseman in 2019, and it was so great to watch this and look back on an epic day! Big congratulations on your well earned black t-shirt :) Oh, yeah....the what´s next part... I think we are wired a little bit different than most people, because I know that feeling all to well myself, haha.
Thank you Sissel, congratulations on your success. It's Patagonman next for me! We must be wired different!
Thanks ... congrats and respect.
Thank you Richard
@@ProfessorGregWhyte the Norseman is my favorite event... I don't know why ... As I don't like cold weather, cold water but it's like this. First thinking in doing a "normal" 140.3 someday ... Already done marathon and 70.3 ... And I need to know if I can with the big one. But I might do it here in my little colombian village ... Alone, just by myself ... There are not 140.3 here in Colombia, so going abroad is too expensive and with the Covid-19, almost impossible. So when I decide that I will do it ... I will design the course here and do it alone. But it requires at least 1 year of preparation for me ... So, still looking at personal work situation to see when I have 1 year to be able to prepare it. Still young ... 52, so it's ok. Thanks for your answer and sharing your experience, I helps a lot
What a great video! Huge well done!
well done man black t for the win
Thank you Jacky
Great video, and only losing 25 places on the run leg is incredible considering the battle you went through (you were 105 at end of T2). Congrats on the black t-shirt, 100% deserved especially as you overtook 4 people on that climb!!!
A few thoughts if i may...
Running with road shoes / cleats is the worse thing you can do as it stop your natural foot roll and puts a lot of strain on your achilles / calf area.
One compromise is to use MTB shoes (not the new ones, those we had 10 years ago) as they are better for foot roll, and if you transistion is on grass, it is really compliant and saved me a lot of muscles pain.
Did your team look into cassette / crank ring gear ratio considering this is essentially a mountain ride? (13-34 cassette with 44-32 chain ring or even 40-30 and as light as possible too: SRAM red is super light and shimano compatible, in worst case a 42-32-22t triple chain ring could also have been an ultra safe option)
You seem to be grinding a lot, hence the pain. A lot of people who are passing you have a higher cadence, and it seems smaller chainrings relative to yours?
I am sure you are aware that Chris Froom is a hardcore spinner, with very high cadence, big cassette and small chain rings, and he won a few tour de France with that setup. Spin to win is nowadays a stable of high level biking, even in triahtlon.
High spinning cadence also helps with muscle fatigue, alleviating / slowing down lactic acid release and crucially a 90-95 cadence on a bike is excellent to stop that jelly leg feeling when starting to run.
Being aero is cool but in the mountains, spin to win is king. Also, not sure a full aero helmet in a hot day on the mountain is a great choice for heat dissipation and fighting hyperthermia, did you have a non aero backup helmet?
Why not change from tri-suit to a pair of short /running vest combo (ok, 1min lost maybe)? how much of an advantage is a soaked tri-suit when running a hilly route?
You could also make the argument, that in the case of a typical norseman weather, a set of fresh, dry running clothes would be welcome and bring a bit of heat to your body.
Loved this Greg well done, just awesome!
I can’t be the only one wondering about the descent from the finish? What goes up must come down, correct? Brutal after all that effort that you then have to keep walking. Amazing effort. Well done.
Thank you Roland. We should have filmed the walk down from the top of the mountain, hilarious! We could have waited for the train down the mountain but, in a moment of madness, we decided we would walk down - that was a mistake!
First well done, God I'd love to try Norseman but don't tell family, trouble is the cold would kill me. Yeah, that would be the only issue! Good to see focus on family, you don't get to do another IM if you drop them. Have you published your training plan to see how you split your time in each training zone? It was odd seeing quite a bit of hard core sweating on the turbo and I wondered if it was to up the pace of the video or was that to build power for hills. I spend 90% of the time in zone 2 which is boring as hell. Good luck with research and racing.
Thanks Rob. I haven't published the training programme, perhaps I should! re: High intensity sessions - my approach is to direct performance into its component parts (i.e. VO2max, economy, power (inc.strength), anaerobic capacity etc.). Having done that, I profile myself (testing) to identify strengths and weaknesses. Having established specific targets for training, I programme sessions that improve each determinant. I cover this in detail in my book: 'Achieve the Impossible' (check out 'The Shop' at my website: www.thewhyteanswer.com )
p.s. I would put There Norseman on your list, it is truly iconic
Great film !! So good to know that we are in love with some kind of suffering ! Whitney was my black shirt, which I achieved last year. This year will be 140 mile trek on the John Muir trail with my life on my back for 2 weeks....here comes the hurt..and every time, I think to myself never again, and as I'm done..I start to plan.
Thank you. Good luck on the John Muir Trail. Pain is short lived, victory lasts a lifetime.
@@ProfessorGregWhyte Yes, indeed. Would love to apply your training principles to my CrossFit training and preparing for my hikes ! Having so much trouble as I age (64).
@@Jmisslyn Age is just a number.
Great documentary! What next?...have a look at Triathlon X (full distance one). The bike course is definitely tougher, was voted in 220 Mag as toughest Tri and few years ago.
Thank you. I'll take a look at Tri X, don't tell my wife!
Outstanding brother!
Thank you Caesar
Awesome documentary. Would love to do that tri!
Thank you Rich. The Norseman is definitely one for the triathlon bucket list.
@@ProfessorGregWhyte it's on the list! I'm a bit too 'short course' to take it on just yet. My main sport has always been swimming, with very little competitive experience past 400m! Just the odd 1500m during tri's - which I always did far too fast! I'm a decent cyclist, but a woeful runner. A long cold swim after a 5m jump is my idea of heaven. A marathon up a stunning mountain both fills me with dread and a longing to conquer it! One day! Fantastic insight into what it takes to complete this awesome adventure/challenge
Love it, congratulations
Thank you Tony
No gloves or socks for the swim? Jeez Prof Whyte, that's crazy! Did you train (1) train specifically to deal with the cold, (2) it wasn't that cold, or (3) you are just plane crazy? Great doc btw.
I trained for the cold. I rarely wear boots and gloves, as they negatively impact my speed, and once the hands and feet have gone numb, they don't bother me (they can really hurt when I get out!). Thew water temp on the day was c.15oC - not too bad!
This is brilliant!
Thank you Sebastian
Love this video
Thank you
A truly inspiring story Greg and an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows. So... What is next!?
Thanks Chris. I had a project planned for 2020 which was cancelled due to restrictions. Unfortunately, it looks like it might be cancelled this year too! I am in conversation for a late year challenge which, I hope, be able to go ahead. There are still so many challenges waiting out there.
@@ProfessorGregWhyte That’s unfortunate Greg, fingers crossed your late year challenge goes ahead. My own list of challenges only seems to get bigger each year and after your video, Norseman is a must now too. Best of luck sir.
@@chrisredfern4205 Good luck to you too Chris. Definitely put Norseman on your list
what an inspiration! Congrats!!!
Thank you Ricardo
Phenomenal, fair play Greg
Thank you David.
Superb! Congratulations!
Thank you Rando
SO Awesome ! Great work!
Thank you Mark
Really impressive! Well done
Thank you
Great content.
thank you
This is nuts. Its crazy. I wonder if any athletes develop rhabdomyolysis from this. Be interesting to see their creatinine levels pre and post completion. This is beyond human 😃
I have done this 5 times and feel fine 😅