Details

Name:  Simen Holvik

Occupation: PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT (IT OIL&GAS)

Home Town: STAVANGER, NORWAY

Questions

What is your running background? 

Running since 2015 when my dad survived heart attack. A real mental eye opener for me.

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

 First ultra late 2015. I was out of shape, drinking and eating to much. Had to reshape my life.  

When or where (at which events) are we most likely to see you?

Except Spartathlon this year, I will do Desert Solstice 24 hours invitational race in Phoenix, Arizona in December.

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

24 hour track: 253 km (1st place at Gloucester 24 hr 2019). Across Norway FKT (2600 km) at 25 days, 15 hours, 20 minutes.

What was your hardest race experience?

Across Norway 2600 km FKT. Road.

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

1.) Even pace 2.) drink and eat at the clock. Eat at 15 and 45, drink at 30 and 60. 3.) Eat REAL food. No gel. 

What does a typical training week look like?

200-300 km/week. 80 slow, 20 % quality (tempo , intervals). and two strength sessions

What one tip would you pass onto people running an Ultra marathon for the first time?

Have fun and drink beers.

Can you tell us one interesting fact about yourself?

Had a great chat with Spartathlon legend Eiolf this summer. We ran several miles at a busy motorway as part of my FKT. What a man. 

Spartathlon Questions

 Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

Never

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

Looking forward to a real challenge, and to meet up with all the great beer drinking Brits.

What are you not looking forward to during the Spartathlon race?

Heat, hills and chaos. 

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

I have done my basic block with the 2600 km FKT this summer. Now I will focus on heat training, tempo and hills. 

Will you be bringing any support crew to the race? (If so, please introduce them briefly)

Yes, that is the plan (but not settled yet).