I completed the Gudbrandsdalsleden from Oslo to Trondheim in 8 days, 11 hours, 29 minutes and 58 seconds with full support.
My mother supported me throughout the attempt by driving a campervan along the route. We arranged meeting points approximately every 8 to 30 kilometers, depending on road access and the trail. This allowed me to refill water, food and change clothing when needed while staying on the official route.
Recovery and sleep were a high priority during the entire effort. I aimed to be back at the campervan no later than 23:00 every evening, allowing me to get several hours of sleep before starting again between 05:30 and 06:00 each morning. I slept six nights in the campervan and two nights at a farm/pilgrim hostel, which provided a good balance between recovery and maintaining forward progress.
Nutrition worked well throughout the attempt. During movement I relied mainly on energy gels, energy bars and sports drink. For larger meals I ate bread, freeze-dried meals, and several substantial hot meals at roadside diners and gas stations whenever the opportunity arose.
The biggest challenge was my Achilles tendon, which became very painful after the third day. At one point I honestly thought it might rupture, but fortunately the pain gradually became more manageable and never forced me to stop. Between days three and six my legs were also extremely swollen, making running difficult. Interestingly, the swelling improved when the weather became cooler during the latter part of the journey.
Weather conditions were generally favorable throughout the attempt. It was mostly dry with no major storms, although temperatures were generally a little warmer than ideal for a multi-day run. The trail became particularly wet on the second-to-last day after rainfall, making some sections slower and more demanding.
Overall, the route was an incredible experience. The Gudbrandsdalsleden offers a unique combination of history, varied terrain and beautiful Norwegian landscapes. Completing the entire trail on foot was a memorable challenge, and I hope this FKT inspires others to attempt this fantastic route.