By Johan Trygg
Becoming part of Team Kaffebryggeriet for season XI gives Thea Krokan Murud a lot of joy. Not being able to roller ski or run since the end of June due to a broken rib is not as fun.
“I don’t really know what happened. I didn’t fall but maybe it happened when I did bench press, says Thea.”
Thea Krokan Murud left Team Ragde Eiendom after one season but announced in the spring that she would continue with long distance skiing. Now it is official that her new Pro Team is Team Kaffebryggeriet.
“It feels good. Everyone on the team is here in Lillehammer and I can get a lot of help along the way in my training, which I want.”
In fact, Thea had contact and support from Pro Team Director Vetle Thyli already before Vasaloppet, where Thea ended up in 7th place.
“It was the first race last season where I had a good feeling. When spring came, I felt that I wanted to be part of Team Kaffebryggeriet, and luckily Vetle wanted that too.”
Thea was already on her way to Team Kaffebryggeriet in season X.
“But then Vetle could not afford it and I got the chance in Team Ragde Eiendom instead.
Now Vetle Thyli has succeeded well on the sponsor side and has been able to sign both Thea and Oda Nerdrum. Team Kaffebryggeriet will be a team to be reckoned with in the Team competition as well.
“We will be a strong team. It feels great fun, says Thea.”
Everything is not so fun, though. The rib injury she suffered earlier this summer has made her training much more challenging to accomplish.
At the end of a four-hour session on roller skis, Thea felt that she couldn’t put one of the poles in the asphalt because it hurt so much.
“I do not really know what caused the injury. I had not fallen. At first, I just thought it was something muscular and went to a Naprapath. But it turned out to be a broken rib. Maybe it was caused when I did a bench press and got the bar a little too hard on myself.”
Thea has not been able to do roller skiing or running in 6 weeks.
“But I have been able to start with some training on SkiErg now. Otherwise, I’ve had to cycle or use an elliptical machine. It has not been ideal, but it works.”
“Soon, I hope to be able to roller ski but I have to start cautiously, Thea states.”
