Yet another Dottir to watch out for from Iceland, Thuridur Erla Helgadottir will be making her third appearance as an individual competitor in Carson in a few short weeks.
The 24-year-old athlete took fifth in the Meridian Regional, affectionately referred to as the Circle of Death by CrossFit HQ. At 5’4″ and 127 pounds, the slight competitor loves bodyweight movements — you may remember her as the first woman to finish Regional Nate, a shoulder-searing combination of strict muscle ups, handstand push ups and one-armed kettlebell swings. In fact, Helgadottir took the event record on the women’s side out of hundreds of female competitors.
Helgadottir took 24th in last year’s Games. She’s spent the year preparing herself for another trip back to sunny CA, but with a completely different mindset this time around.
FHQ: Meridian is obviously a tough Region to compete in. Even if Iceland had it’s own Regional, it’d still be a tough place to earn a spot to the Games.How do you mentally and physically prepare yourself?
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: This year and last year I’ve fallen in ranking in the open in Europe but worldwide I am climb higher every year, so yes my region is definitely one of the most competitive regions and gets tougher each year! But I know by now what I am capable of in a competition like the Meridian Regionals – I am a competitor at heart, I perform well under pressure and in stressful conditions.
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: This year and last year I’ve fallen in ranking in the open in Europe but worldwide I am climb higher every year, so yes my region is definitely one of the most competitive regions and gets tougher each year! But I know by now what I am capable of in a competition like the Meridian Regionals – I am a competitor at heart, I perform well under pressure and in stressful conditions.
During the prep season I keep my focus on me and my training and try not to think about what others are doing. I put all my trust in my training and believe that if I do my best all year round it will be enough for me to battle against the best for the top spots in the region.
FHQ: You’ve mentioned before that you looked up to Annie Thorisdottir when you first began CrossFit. Is it strange now being friends with and competing against the athletes you used to admire?
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: No I don’t feel like it’s strange, I feel like I belong in the group. But it is awesome that the best girls in the sport are Icelandic and they all motivate me a lot, even though they’re my main competitors.
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: No I don’t feel like it’s strange, I feel like I belong in the group. But it is awesome that the best girls in the sport are Icelandic and they all motivate me a lot, even though they’re my main competitors.
FHQ: You didn’t qualify for the Games in 2013 and took a year off in 2014 before coming back last year. What was going on, or what made you decide to not compete?
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: In 2013 I just wasn’t focused enough and in hindsight just not ready, neither physically or mentally. I was disappointed with my experience at the Games in 2012, my mindset was off and it was
just a really stressful, negative weekend experience.
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: In 2013 I just wasn’t focused enough and in hindsight just not ready, neither physically or mentally. I was disappointed with my experience at the Games in 2012, my mindset was off and it was
just a really stressful, negative weekend experience.
In 2014 I decided to go team, even though I had a chance of qualifying again just to try and have fun and experience the Games in a more positive way. And to give myself a chance to train and become better without this huge competition hanging over my head.
Then last year, 2015, even after my “year off” on a team, again the Games didn’t go as I wanted. My mind game just wasn’t strong enough and I broke down early on in the competition and ended up not enjoying myself at all and just not feeling good all weekend. This year, I am taking my coaches from Iceland with me and I have been working hard at improving my mental strength and mindset. I am confident that this time it will go much better.
FHQ: We see from your Regional Nate performance that you definitely excel at bodyweight movements. What are some of your ideal movements you’d love to see in Carson?
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: Muscle ups and handstand pushups obviously (preferably strict), handstand walk, rope climbs and then some sprinting and long/mid distance running. I’ve also been working on my swimming a lot and am pretty excited to see how I’ll do in a swim event.
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: Muscle ups and handstand pushups obviously (preferably strict), handstand walk, rope climbs and then some sprinting and long/mid distance running. I’ve also been working on my swimming a lot and am pretty excited to see how I’ll do in a swim event.
FHQ: On the other hand, are there any movements you’re really dreading?
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: Rowing, strong man things (although I am practicing) and 1RM max in the power lifts.
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: Rowing, strong man things (although I am practicing) and 1RM max in the power lifts.
FHQ: Iceland generally has moderate to cooler weather — how do you prepare for the California sun when training for the Games?
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: I’ll arrive in California a few weeks before the Games and train at CrossFit Invictus to get accumulated and practice swimming in the ocean. I used to do a few workouts in the Hot Yoga studio at my gym, but it really sucks so I don’t do it anymore. Also, I don’t think it was the same at all as being in the heat at the Games. I feel like the sun is a more important factor than the actual heat in Carson.
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: I’ll arrive in California a few weeks before the Games and train at CrossFit Invictus to get accumulated and practice swimming in the ocean. I used to do a few workouts in the Hot Yoga studio at my gym, but it really sucks so I don’t do it anymore. Also, I don’t think it was the same at all as being in the heat at the Games. I feel like the sun is a more important factor than the actual heat in Carson.
FHQ: At one point, your mom and sister also CrossFitted. Do they still CrossFit? Do you guys get to work out together a lot?
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: My mom is still devoted as ever, never misses a workout. We don’t work out together though as I follow a completely different program, but we should do it more often, she is really strong (I have only recently caught up to her back squat and deadlift numbers!).
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: My mom is still devoted as ever, never misses a workout. We don’t work out together though as I follow a completely different program, but we should do it more often, she is really strong (I have only recently caught up to her back squat and deadlift numbers!).
My sister focuses more on weightlifting, but she’s had a nagging injury for a while now which has been holding her back for a while now (which gave me a chance to catch up with her in the Olympic lifts!). She is five years younger than me, so I was quite mad at first when she started lifting heavier weights than me… Will not let it happen again!
FHQ: Last year was only your second trip back to the CrossFit Games. What was different from your rookie year in 2012? Did you feel more sure of yourself?
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: Yes, in 2012 I wasn’t expecting qualifying for the Games, and I didn’t feel prepared enough. In 2015, I felt much better and had much more confidence coming in to the competition.
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: Yes, in 2012 I wasn’t expecting qualifying for the Games, and I didn’t feel prepared enough. In 2015, I felt much better and had much more confidence coming in to the competition.
FHQ: What feels different going in this year? How is your nutrition and training changing to get ready?
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: A major difference for me this year will be having my coaches with me at the Games, I am really excited about that. My training doesn’t change much leading up to the games, except I am able to train much more in the summer than during winter because I am a full time university student. But this year I have been focusing more on my mindset and how I eat — eating MORE food mostly (no junk), those are the main differences.
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir: A major difference for me this year will be having my coaches with me at the Games, I am really excited about that. My training doesn’t change much leading up to the games, except I am able to train much more in the summer than during winter because I am a full time university student. But this year I have been focusing more on my mindset and how I eat — eating MORE food mostly (no junk), those are the main differences.