Danish woman to attempt 30 Ironman competitions in 30 days

Vejle teacher wants to be the first woman to complete gruelling ultra-sport feat

Thea Storm Henriksen says that she has more energy than most people.

“I am not much for sitting still,” she told DR Nyheder.

Beginning on Sunday, Henriksen – a 33-year old teacher from Vejle – will put her energy level to the test as she tries to become the first woman to complete 30 Ironman competitions in 30 days.

Henriksen is the only woman that has signed up to compete in the XXX DecaIronman being held in Parco La Quiete in Brescia in northern Italy. An Ironman competition is made up of a 3.8 kilometre swim, 180 kilometre bicycle ride and a 42 kilometre marathon.

Other Danes making endurance sports news
Henriksen joins other Danes who have tested their endurance levels over the past few months.

In July, 41-year-old Annette Fredskov of Næstved made worldwide headlines by completing her quest to run a 42km marathon every day for 365 days. In fact, Fredskov managed 366 marathons in a year by running two on the last day of her challenge.

Crown Prince Frederik made his way into the history books at the Copenhagen Ironman in August by becoming the first royal to complete a full Ironman competition. It took Frederik ten hours, 45 minutes and 32 seconds to finish the course.

Not a sunny vacation
Henriksen has done some extreme sports before – including running a marathon, taking part in a grueling adventure race in Chile and trekking across the polar ice cap – so she is aware that despite the idyllic location near Lake Garda, her next month will not be an Italian holiday.

“I am well aware that I am exposing my body to enormous stress,” she said.




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