Emelie Forsberg’s third-place finish at the 2013 The North Face Endurance Challenge 50-Mile Championships rounds out a great running year for her. In the following interview, Emelie talks about what hurt about this weekend’s race, whether she’s happy with her performance, and where she’s headed next to enjoy some American skiing.
[Editor’s Note: For more information, we’ve published a full TNF 50 results article.]
Emelie Forsberg Post-2013 TNF EC 50 Mile Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar here with Emelie Forsberg after her third place finish at The North Face 50. How did it go out there, Emelie?
Emelie Forsberg: I think this was the hardest race that I’ve done.
iRunFar: Really?
Forsberg: Yes, because my legs in the downhill, the pounding from my quadriceps—whooof! It hurted so much! I don’t want to race to pain. All the time, Kilian [Jornet] was just, “Well this is how people feel!” “This will make you stronger!” So it was interesting, but it for sure was the hardest.
iRunFar: Kilian was out there pushing you?
Forsberg: No, he didn’t push me because…
iRunFar: Mentally?
Forsberg: When I have pain, it’s hard to push me I think.
iRunFar: You’re stubborn?
Forsberg: (laughs)
iRunFar: When did you know that your legs weren’t quite there?
Forsberg: I think I knew it from before, because seven weeks is quite a lot with only three runs over a half an hour.
iRunFar: Even though your quadriceps are strong right now, they’re not… skiing they have to be.
Forsberg: Yes, they are strong. I’m strong. Yes. But this is so runnable. I really like it. I’m happy with the day.
iRunFar: And you got to see great views this year.
Forsberg: Yeah, it was great.
iRunFar: More so than last year.
Forsberg: Yeah.
iRunFar: It’s time for you to go ski?
Forsberg: Yes.
iRunFar: Where to?
Forsberg: In Colorado somewhere. High mountains. Good training.
iRunFar: Good training; new mountains; new fun.
Forsberg: Yes.
iRunFar: Do you have any races you’re looking forward to on the ski side?
Forsberg: Yes, I’m going to do the whole World Cup this year. It’s going to be exciting to see if I have improved from last year.
iRunFar: Last year you were entirely new.
Forsberg: I’m excited for that.
iRunFar: Just in the couple of weeks of skiing you’ve done, do you feel like your technique has improved?
Forsberg: A little, yeah.
iRunFar: I know you still have your ski season to go through, but are there any runs that are inspiring you for next year?
Forsberg: Yeah, I have some mountains I want to do and some races like Ice Trail [Tarentaise] and Kima (a super beautiful race in Europe). Then I’m looking forward to The Rut. It’s going to be fun.
iRunFar: Go see Mike [Wolfe] and Mike [Foote] in Montana?
Forsberg: Yes.
iRunFar: That will be great. We look forward to seeing you there! Enjoy your skiing for now.
Forsberg: Thank you.
