Pierre-Luc Pérusse
Pierre-Luc Pérusse really wanted his black T-shirt to symbolize success at the Norseman, an extreme triathlon in Norway. PHOTO PROVIDED BY PIERRE-LUC PÉRUSSE
36 years old – Boischatel
Father of two sons and vice president of consulting services company Alithya
· Norseman Xtreme Triathlon 2023
For what?
“I am a guy who accepts any challenge. But this one particularly scared me because of the cold and the altitude difference.”
When his son learned that his father was preparing for the extreme Norseman triathlon and he would not bring back a scholarship or a medal of achievement, but a sweater, he told him: “We will have it printed for you.” T-shirt if That’s all.”
For Pierre-Luc Pérusse, a fan of endurance competitions, the Norseman is more than the memory of a white or black sweater, depending on how long it takes to get to the finish.
The extreme event in Norway, 3.8 km swimming in a fjord, 180 km cycling and 42.2 km running in the Scandinavian mountain landscape, represented the fear of cold water and the dizzying height difference. Positive of almost 5200 meters on the route at the mercy of bad weather.
But it was also an event he wanted to add to his “bucket list” of the best competitions to take part in.
“Normally I would accept any challenge, except the Northman was the one that scared me the most. I've been thinking for a long time. It was sick. I wondered if I could do it or do it right,” says the father and vice president of the company.
Pierre-Luc Pérusse really wanted his black T-shirt to symbolize success at the Norseman, an extreme triathlon in Norway. In this photo, the Quebecer doesn't stop to eat his slice of pizza during the 180 km bike ride. PHOTO PROVIDED BY PIERRE-LUC PÉRUSSE
Matchless
A good swimmer, good cyclist and good runner, he had competed in Ironmans, marathons and Olympic triathlons before embarking on the stupid Norwegian adventure.
“The Norseman is by far the most difficult. “There is nothing comparable,” says the person who stopped the clock at 3:18 p.m. He made it to the end of “Zombie Hill” on the summit of Mount Gaustad to cross the finish line before the dangerous approaching storm stopped the race.
A citizen of Boischatel in the county of Côte-de-Beaupré, he trained on the hills of his region and those of Charlevoix. Still a very nice and good playground.
If we read between the lines of his captivating story, we understand that it's a small beer though!
Pierre-Luc Pérusse regularly takes part in triathlon events. In this photo, the Quebecer is pedaling during the Canadaman. PHOTO PROVIDED BY PIERRE-LUC PÉRUSSE
“To correspond to the Norseman route, where we drive and run on gradients of up to 14 degrees, we have to cover the relief of our region five to seven times continuously,” he estimates.
A testimony that rhymes with that of Bianca Drolet, who was one of the many representatives of the Unifoliate and the Fleurdelysé at the 2023 edition with Pérusse.
“It’s almost criminal to have thought of organizing a race there,” he added jokingly. When I saw the first climb of a mountain on a bike, I understood what I was really getting myself into.”
Frozen like an ice cube
One of the highlights of his adventure was that Pérusse opened the machine a few kilometers from the finish at the foot of “Zombie Hill”, whose gradient is almost 14%.
“When you get there, it’s hot and you’re hot. They think you have to walk certain sections because it is so steep. I was almost 160 and really wanted my black T-shirt,” he says passionately.
This black sweater is the symbol of a successful course, awarded to the top 160. You should know that the world's elite take part in this race, which is also open to lucky enthusiasts drawn at random. Pérusse was one of them.
“With seven kilometers to go, when the terrain and landscape had changed, I told myself that I absolutely had to run. I was the only idiot in shorts and a wet t-shirt. As the storm grew stronger, everyone had put on their protective gear. I was frozen.
“I still made it to the end,” he continues proudly. I touched the barrier and got confirmation 10 minutes early that I would get my black t-shirt. I was almost hypothermic.”
Pierre-Luc Pérusse really wanted his black T-shirt to symbolize success at the Norseman, an extreme triathlon in Norway. In this photo, the Quebecer is waiting on the boat for the starting signal. PHOTO PROVIDED BY PIERRE-LUC PÉRUSSE
Nice symbol
Every day, like him, his son can think about that famous black T-shirt that represents success. The father displayed it framed on a house wall.
Pierre-Luc Pérusse really wanted his black T-shirt to symbolize success at the Norseman, an extreme triathlon in Norway. He got it and displayed it well at home. PHOTO PROVIDED BY PIERRE-LUC PÉRUSSE
Reflecting on this extraordinary adventure, Pérusse believes that it made him feel alive and that it forced him to dig deep within himself to extract the last fumes of energy.
“It is a feeling of accomplishment and extreme pride, regardless of your final rank,” he assures.
With the Norseman checked off his list, he thinks about his next challenge, which “doesn’t have to be extreme.”
The Enduroman, the Marathon des Sables and the Barkley Marathon take place there. However, they are all among the most difficult in the world.
Undoubtedly, the Norseman redefines the categories when we return to the black t-shirt.