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Filip Ingebrigtsen had not competed in a race since the Diamond League competition in Stockholm, where he was unable to complete the 1,500 meters due to respiratory problems.
But on the NM course, he took the lead early on, and had a full 29-second lead in the bread duel after just three kilometers. The 27-year-old ran the next seven kilometers alone and took his first gold medal and first NM cross-country medal.
Filip Ingebrigtsen was more than a minute ahead of Magnus Tuv Myhre and 1.15 ahead of Jonatan Vedvik.
– There have not been too many competitions this year. We’re starting around 2021 and it’s fun to compete instead of training, he says.
– Henrik wanted us to agree to a trick race, jogging and then asked, but I felt in the first round that the body responded easily. I wanted to test my body and my system on how I was doing, because sometimes it has been quite bad this summer, says Filip Ingebrigtsen.
Weakened brother
Reigning Norwegian cross-country champion Henrik Ingebrigtsen had not competed since he had to overcome 5,000 meters in Monaco in mid-August. Since then, he has battled foot pain and a lack of training was visible in Skien. He admitted a bit at the end, and was number seven, 1.26 behind his little brother.
– It was a lot of fun, but it’s frustrating when the body doesn’t react like it usually does. I was in much better shape in Monaco when I didn’t finish. But I don’t know anything about the injury, I’m just weakened since I’ve been lame for two months, he tells NRK.
– According to the form I am now, I have a perfect career. I couldn’t run faster, he adds.
BACK: Henrik Ingebrigtsen was looking forward to racing again. – I’m not in shape like last year, but I’ll ask and we’ll see how it goes, he says.
Photo: Thomas Bløndal / NRK
I was not optimistic
The coach father was not the most optimistic before the start, but after completing the race he was happy that both boys were able to test both foot and breath correctly.
– It is not possible to do this without controlling your breathing. It is a monster led by Filip. I think he was not looking to win, but to run well and push his body to see if it works. I think you are happy with the responses you receive. It has never been close to what it does today on any terrain, says Gjert Ingebrigtsen.
INSTEAD: Gjert Ingebrigtsen, of course, followed the race from the touchline.
Photo: Thomas Bløndal / NRK
He claims that Henrik Ingebrigtsen suddenly felt pain free one morning about two weeks ago, and that he then wanted to enter the National Championships.
– He has had so much pain that he could not step on his foot and not run a meter. But now there’s nothing else to worry about, now that he’s gone, says the coach father.
Filip Ingebrigtsen has not been able to train properly either. In the last few months, they have tried most things.
– It was so difficult to breathe that it was not possible to run. He doesn’t have full access to oxygen yet, but enough to race here, said Gjert Ingebrigtsen before the start.
