02/02/2005 First training camp completed Mind-blowing sports gala Norway, 30 January 2005 - Dear biking friends, Time simply flies when it's sunny summer outside and one is surrounded by training buddies. I've completed two weeks of training on the Canary Islands, and it's been wonderful, despite a break due to sickness that left me lying in bed for four days upon arrival. Now my batteries are fully recharged again, and I've cycled many more kilometres and crossed many more mountains than I've done for a very long time. Now I'm sitting on the plane home again, dreading the snow and cold that will meet me at home. On long flights like this I can finish a whole deal of office work if I'm effective. The rest of this week will consist of very busy days, so it's a good idea to get some of the work done now. Kenneth and I have stayed on the Canaries together with our friends Lene Byberg and Håkon Austad, in lovely apartments in the town of Puerto Rico. Our days have obviously largely been used for training, rest and massage, so I don't really have all that much exciting news apart from these activities. I've enjoyed every day there, and now feel relaxed and good after these 14 days in the sun. We've eaten out every evening together, and it's an equally great luxury every time - absolutely fantastic food at a low price. I would rather have avoided the sickness just after I arrived, but when one's body is worn out it naturally becomes less resistant to sickness. I wrote a small piece for the national Norwegian newspaper VG which I'm including with this report. It feels like a complete catastrophe to get sick. Right then and there everything goes to pieces. But now that I'm well again and have gotten going with the exercise again, this small hiccup is already forgotten. There are quite a few exciting happenings coming up during this week at home. I'm leaving for Oslo as early as Wednesday evening, so I won't have that many hours at home in Stavanger. On Thursday I'll be giving a lecture for the employees at Shell Norway in Oslo. The same evening we'll have an exciting press conference together with Stians-Sport and Merida Norway, at which many young cycling talents will be presented. On Friday I'll take part in a large doctors' conference in Oslo led by Natumin Pharma, which is a new sponsor of mine in the build-up towards the Olympics in Beijing. We'll be staying at home in Norway for two weeks this time before packing our suitcases and bikes for yet another training camp on Majorca. I'll write a few lines to you all before I leave again. By then I'll probably have taken part in all sorts of exciting things, and also trained a lot at home. I would like to encourage everybody to experience a trip out into fresh air almost every day of the week. It will give you lots of energy, and it's wonderful to feel that your body is alive. Training this week: We had a completely crazy trip on Saturday which few of us will forget in a hurry. Fantastic weather, spectacular landscape, and such long and steep hills that we could hardly believe it. Dinner of the week: Barbecued octopus in garlic. A mind-blowing new taste experience, and difficult to get hold of at home. Tip of the week: Always start your day with half a litre of water – a great start to the day for your entire system. Cyclist's greetings from Gunn-Rita Article from the newspaper VG, Thursday January 20 Sick but prepared Outside the sky is blue as far as the eye can see, and the thermometer says to get sunbathing by the poolside. Lovely warmth for everybody but me. I should have been out doing a long trip on my bike, enjoying life. But here I lie, sick in bed, feeling sorry for myself. Getting sick is always just as inconvenient. For many of us cyclists, January and February is the time to travel to warmer climes so we can continue our bicycle training. Training in warmer weather gives more effect and better quality, and enables us to cycle even further. For the last two years we've travelled to Boulder in Colorado in January for training, but this year we decided on the Canary Islands, where we are right now. We chose a little differently this year because we needed a change, we needed sun and warmth, and we had limited time. Next year we're talking about maybe going to South Africa for a whole month. That would at least be something completely new for both of us. I didn't sleep much last night. I'm landed with a heavy flu and fever, inflamed throat, and thundering headache. It really hurts being sick. I think everybody would agree wholeheartedly. I'm really quite a sight as I trudge despondently around in our little apartment here. We actually have quite a fine tuned body. A body can take the toughest of stress and strain for long periods of time, but not for ever. Finally it says "enough" by getting sick. I always tell myself that it's my own fault when I get sick. Totally my fault. I simply haven't been clever enough at taking care of my body and health. When the fever is at its worst and it seems as if you're never going to get well again, it can be hard to think rationally. One lies there thinking about all that good exercise one's missing out on, how this sickness is setting you back compared to your competitors, and how long the road back to top shape again will be. As a matter of fact, I got sick at exactly the same time last year. Last year we left for Boulder the day after the Norwegian Sports Gala, and this year we went straight southwards after it. Even so, the 2004 season was quite a success, and that should be a comfort to help me feel a bit better about things. I choose to think that when my body gets sick, it's my body sort-of crying out for rest and recuperation. Many people these days have a very busy and active everyday life. When one ends up sick, it can be difficult to totally relax even though one's lying down in bed. It sort-of takes a couple of days before the body actually relaxes properly and accepts that now it's time to rest and calm down. Right now my body has reached this rest-mode. My body feels strangely relaxed and my batteries are gradually being reloaded. I know I'll soon be back on my bike again, more invigorated than for a long time, and all set for new challenges and a new season of cycling. Get well soon! MIND-BLOWING SPORTS GALA Norway, 14 January 2005 Dear cycling friends, This year's Norwegian Sports Gala was an absolutely fantastic experience for me, in more ways than one. Both Kenneth and I reacted to the awards we received with mostly shock and amazement, despite our highly successful cycling season, during which we won everything there was to win. We were both pleasantly surprised to receive three wonderful awards at this prestigious gala evening for Norway's star athletes. I also found it moving to be part of a huge fund-raising campaign where thousands showed the true joy of giving. I don't know whether to call these fantastic prizes a grand finale to a highly eventful year, or an indescribably powerful start to a new season! Either way, yesterday's celebration of Norwegian athletes' great accomplishments through 2004 was an experience I won't be forgetting in a hurry. It's difficult to say which one of the three prizes I received that meant most to me. The first one I received for "Endurance" or "Perseverance". It was awarded by a jury consisting of persons with high positions and extensive knowledge within the sports world. Therefore it was especially nice to receive this award, considering all the other strong candidates nominated for the prize. The second prize, the "Performers' Prize", is worth gold to me, as it was awarded by my fellow Norwegian athletes. 200 top athletes from the whole country, who know exactly what it takes to be best in the world, nominated and elected me. It was a fantastic experience for me, quite a surprise, and a huge motivation for the exciting new season coming up. The award for "Sportsperson of the Year" was voted by the Norwegian public. It was no less than momentous for me to receive an award of this calibre. Being acknowledged in this way was both touching and wonderful, knowing how many supporters follow us in what we do, both on and off our Merida bikes. It will take some time before this amazing evening really settles in completely. Thinking back on it, there are so many words I should have said when I had a chance like that, but I was sort of stunned by it all. In short, I at least got to thank everybody who had voted me as "Sportsperson of the Year". I really hope that our achievements and enthusiasm on our bikes provide lots of motivation towards physical activity for many people. In addition to this, I hope that all the money that was collected yesterday, every last coin, will reach those who really need it. It was very heart-warming to see how many people involved themselves and made an effort to help. It's nice to be able to use my position, based on what I do and what I have achieved as an athlete, towards such means. Naturally I would like, once again, to use this opportunity to thank all my supporters and co-workers, who are an important element behind these wonderful awards we were given at the annual Sports Gala. Each and every one has the right to feel that they own a part of these awards. As many of you are aware, I was given a Merida bike by Stians Sport and Merida Norway, which was subsequently auctioned for charity, and which has now reached a price of all of 35,000 Norwegian kroner (US$5,650 - AU$7,380). In addition I was given a cheque for 10,000 Norwegian kroner (US$1,615 - AU$2,100) by my personal main sponsor, Shell Norway, which I handed over yesterday evening. They have already donated 100,000 Norwegian kroner (US$16,150 - AU$21,000) via Red Cross to the fund-raising campaign. The Shell Group International has incidentally already contributed 3 million dollars to the tsunami catastrophe victims. Our new personal sponsor-partner in the run-up to Beijing 2008, "Natumin Pharma", answered the challenge from Shell Norway and contributed the same amount to the campaign too. What wonderful sponsors I have. Soon I will be signing a contract with Shell Norway for the next four years up towards the Olympics in Beijing. Natumin Pharma is a new sponsor, within the field of powder foods and dietary supplements, especially regarding oils (Omega 3, Lecitin, Ecomer etc.), with a contract also lasting four years. Natumin Pharma is an exciting and interesting partner I look forward to working together with. Those who had a chance to see the Sports Gala sent directly on the Norwegian television channel NRK yesterday will also have noticed that my award, "Sportsperson of the Year", was spontaneously handed over for auctioning. My latest news is that it has now received a bid of 152,000 Norwegian kroner (US$24,525 - AU$32,055). It's absolutely wonderful, and many thanks to those who have bid this much. This money is worth more than gold and will doubtlessly help many who are presently struggling due to the catastrophe. I would like to round off with these words today. Tomorrow we leave for this year's training camp together with our good friends and training buddies Lene Byberg and Håkon Austad. We're leaving for the Canaries for a 14 day stay, and we're all really looking forward to it: lots of great exercise, lots of rest, and good times together with like-minded people and hopefully lots of sun. I'm hoping to manage to produce some impressive lines where my tan contrasts against the whiter skin under socks and t-shirts. A word to you all: go for your goals, enjoy life together with your loved-ones, and enjoy what you do. Let physical activity become a natural part of your day. Next time you hear from us, we'll hopefully be enjoying the warm sun in Spanish surroundings. Big bicycle-hug from Gunn-Rita. Gunn-Rita Dahle in azione