My Story: Per Kristian Lundby - Norway

I started throwing the javelin in my early teens and reached 50 meters at 19, winning a couple of County Championships (Norway). I was rubbish at any other event. I then went in the Army for 2 years, so very little throwing, - followed by 4 years in England studying Physiotherapy, during which I had a "partial subluxation" of C2 on C3 (same level as Christopher Reeve/Superman) when landing on my head attempting gymnastics. The two vertebrae were fused together using steel wire and bone chips from my pelvis.

Returning to Norway in 1974 I started weightlifting but suffered a lower back injury, x-rays showing a prolapsed L4/5 giving me back pain and left-sided sciatica, on and off, ever since. I've had epidurals twice, both leaving me pain free for 18 months but have decided against surgery. My training was very limited after that, - until, after having started a family and built a house in Norway, at 37, I won a Regional Masters Javelin title in 1985 (47m) during which I injured my shoulder, - later to be diagnosed as a torn Biceps tendon (long head). Again I decided against surgery although my javelin dropped below 30m a few years ago. It has since recovered to between 33 and 37m so reasonably happy.

I started "serious" training again in 2005 and although never done anyhing but the Javelin I started enjoying the triple-jump and then got into all the throwing events and finally multi-events, - the Pentathlon now being my strongest (World No. 1 in 2014) followed by the Decathlon (No. 8 in 2014) and the Triple Jump, - in all of which I have been British Champion, once in the Decathlon, twice in the Pentathlon and several times in the Triple Jump where I have also been Norwegian Champion and have topped the rankings several years both in the UK and Norway. Due to my back/neck problems I have periods without physical activity at all and always have to be very selective in my training, - mainly body weight exercises most days in addition to running and cycling. Heavy weights are however impossible but have managed to keep my muscle mass pretty stable (and reduced my body fat) for the past 10 years.

I have also had several hamstring and calf tears with severe bleeding, serious left ankle pain needing injections to be resolved and have a couple of degenerated discs in my Thoracic Spine (middle back). So don't give up if you struggle with injuries! I designed a back/abdominal training bench in 2006/7 which have proven a good help for my core/lower back and been a major factor in avoiding surgery. I am now looking forward to 2018, when I'm 70, for lower hurdles and lighter shot. Perhaps the Decathlon in Malaga?

As I can"t afford travelling around the world to Championships I take great pleasure from the Rankings and am therefore very grateful to "World Masters Rankings" for providing these so brilliantly encouraging me to keep going knowing that I still have a chance to be in the top 10% in several events.

It would be nice to hear from "likeminded" people out there so here is my e-mail; pklundby@gmail.com

Stay fit & healthy!

Best wishes.

Per Kristian Lundby