One of Xtri's close friends and 3x Ironman Age Group World Champion, Lisbeth Kenyon is getting ready for her toughest race yet...no, not Kona...Norseman Extreme!

For the last 3 consecutive years Lisbeth, who is originally from Norway, has raced in the scorching conditions of Kona and won her Age Group. This year, in the 10th Anniversary of the event, Lisbeth will try to battle out the extreme terrain and climate that Norseman has to offer.

For those who are not familiar with this race, check out a video of last years race below.

Below is an email update from Lisbeth on her journey thus far:

Nudity is allowed.

Todd (her husband) and Lars (her son) arrived today so with my brother Tom Erik, my crew is complete. We drive to race site Friday morning. It's a 2 1/2 hour drive from Oslo to the entry of Gaustatoppen Mountain where you strap on your backpack and the crew comes with you on foot, and then another 140ish miles to the start...so a long drive. My friend Per Gunnar, who has crewed and competed before and will compete again this year, will join us with his crew to review the spots along the route where nutrition handoffs are possible (car has to have all 4 wheels off the road when they stop (or else I get a time penalty) which is limited up the mountain passes). I biked on Sunday with PG in an area (Hurdal) where we covered 2 longish hills; one that mimics steepness of mountains numbers 2, 3, and 4 and one that mimics mountain number 5, which is steeper. (The 1st mountain pass is the first 40k which is gentler although apparently has some 12% sections thrown in). Anyway, we did the first hill twice and the second hill once, each took about 15 min chat tempo to climb and we covered 2500 feet during those 45 minutes of climbing. Barrington, Rhode Island IS flat. I feel I got a snippet of what's coming. I am in deep shit.

Word is there is still snow on top of the mountain at the swim start so the waters have been unseasonably cold. I will figure out on Saturday if 2 caps will be sufficient and if I need swim socks. Blue Seventy sent me a neoprene scull cap and really comfortable thin swim socks - they may be smart. Regardless, the key is plenty of Vaseline everywhere including face to protect from the jellyfish - they are the kind that sting, and on chest and back where water seeps in. I hear ear plugs are a good idea but I am afraid I won't hear the kayak people yell when I drift off course.

Saturday they have the first 250 people go off and then we go on Sunday. Two days of racing to get a total of about 600 people since this is the 10th anniversary.

Goal is black t-shirt.

We appreciate the well wishes!

Lisbeth and Crew