Coming all the way from Scandinavia, Ingvild Vedde, biology major and Nesbyen, Norway native, has traveled here to Thibodaux to run track for Nicholls State University.

Recently, she competed in the DN Galan Diamond League track meet in Stockholm, Sweden and placed second overall in a field with 13 other competitors.  This success might come as a surprise considering she has only been running competively for three years.

Q: What made you want to run track here at Nicholls?

A: Coming from Norway, a country where we do not have this type of climate, it was very tempting to come here to run in better training conditions. Also, back home I was competing and training individually, so it is nice to be part of a team now.

Q: What are the most extreme conditions you have experienced during your career thus far?

A: In Norway, temperatures will get as low as -15 degrees.  So when running in that kind of cold, frost forms on your eyelashes and eyebrows, then your face literally freezes. It gets to the point where you need to run with a mask over your face and all sorts of clothing to protect you. Also, we are not allowed to run fast because when we are in such cold weather, extreme physical exertion under those circumstances can lead to the development of asthma. 

Q: What led you to track?

A: I competed in orienteering, which is a sport similar to cross-country. You run with a map through the woods to specified checkpoints with a device that you scan in order to record your time. Most races would be around four to five kilometers and would be run as fast as possible. However, at the club where I ran, there were few kids my age. So, I joined a track team to see if I would enjoy it. I received a very warm welcome and have loved it ever since.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of running?

A: The feeling of accomplishment when you achieve your goal – knowing that you have sacrificed so much.

Q:What do you like most about America?

A: I like everything about America so far, except the heat and humidity. Also, I like the music here because we do not have too much good music back home.

Q:Two months ago, MSN rated Norway the third happiest country in the world. Would you agree?

A: Yes, aside from the cold, we are pretty well off.

Q:What aspect of Norway do you enjoy most?

A: It is a beautiful country, and nature is a very important aspect of our culture.

Q:What is a typical day back home like?

A: I would wake up at 6:30 a.m. to go to school. I would receive lecture all day until 3:30 p.m., then hopefully get a break for lunch to go train.  Afterwards I would train once more after my schoolwork was completed.

Q:How many languages do you speak?

A: I spoke Norwegian growing up, but I learned English and French in school. Danish and Swedish are very similar to Norwegian, so I could get by speaking those as well.

Q:What do you miss most from Norway?

A: Definitely my family and friends, but the food is what I will ultimately miss most. I have not eaten much outside of the cafeteria, so as of now, I am certainly longing for my dad’s barbeque chicken.