Long trainings are longer now...
March 15, 2008 ... by Jan Sidla
...and I have added some fast uphill trainings. Interview with Michal Smola.
You are back from the national team training camp in Le Caylar, France. You proved to be very strong on the long distance course. On the other hand, for example on the start loops training you stayed far behind Mr. Ikonen. Is it that you are focusing on long courses in this season mainly?
That is true that long distance is my main discipline but I train for other courses too. The reason why I was slow in start loops is that the map was very detailed and therefore more demanding of precise map reading, orienteering and pace adaptation than other trainings there. I know I still have a lot to improve in my orienteering technique.
So, what would you like to run at the WOC?
I am preselected for long distance and I would like to run middle distance too. Sprint race I would run only if I am not selected for middle. I hope to run relay too, but it will be day after long distance...
Except of the WOC, is there any race you are looking forward very much?
Of course! Especially Tiomila and European Orienteering Championships.
You are an adept for the last leg at 10MILA. What kind of experience do you have with non-forked legs?
Well, as far as I remember, I do not have any. There is another Czech specialist for non-forked legs in SNO...
Are there any major changes in SNO's team and strategy? What are your goals for the big relay races?
I think SNO's strategy changed the year after Peter Losman had done well his job on the non-forked last leg. The next year the team was already strong enough to be in the lead alone in any leg, and runners just focused on their own safe performance, not on other teams. The strategy remains the same I hope, the goal is to win!
I don't want to go through your training methods here, but very briefly, what are they based on?
In brief, basics of my trainings are very long distance runs at a low pace in terrain, fast intervals close anaerobic threshold, a lot of trainings with a map, strength exercises.
Is there anything particular you changed or added since the last training season?
Yes. Long trainings are longer now and I have added some fast uphill trainings.
Where can those, who don't speak Czech, learn more about your training approach?
It is secret! No, I believe in the study made by Stephen Seiler: XC Endurance Training Theory - Norwegian Style. It is originally for XC skiers so I have made some changes, but basics are still the same.
You've been testing route-choices in Czech terrains extensively over the past months. Are there any universally valid outcomes you would be willing to share?
I have neither tested so many route-choices, nor found any general rule. I believe that the most important things are save orienteering without any fatal errors, to run fast and to avoid a really stupid route-choice (which may be due to tiredness or nervousness during the race).
On the above mentioned long distance course in France you run over the top of the hills, so to speak. Why did you choose such a tactic and why was it successful?
I like climbing and the course was too flat. One of those choices was quite stupid actually but the others were good because of easy realization and safe control attack.
Do you think that the advantage of home terrain is substantial in top orienteering? Or better, how big is the advantage of being Czech in the Czech Republic? Norwegian in Norway?
It should not be a substantial advantage or disadvantage for best runners. In the Czech Republic the WOC is not in any extreme terrain so I think it should be pretty fair. As for Norway I feel really high motivation to perform well in such a terrain and I really look forward to long distance in WOC 2010.
You haven't been sick or injured for a long time. Are you getting older and more careful?
I would say I have been lucky so far.
You are known as a fiery opera fan. Now, when you are forbidden do go to Olomouc, which of the opera-houses are you touring?
The next one will be in Vienna but I would not mind a few weeks only with my hi-fi and a good opera record.
OK, I was joking. I know you listen to Arctic Monkeys. But for sure you can recommend any good film you saw lately?
A film? Yes! The best film I have ever seen, The Holy Mountain by Alejandro Jodorowsky.
How are your doctoral degree studies going? Have you published anything yet?
Studies are going fast, only one and a half year left and I have not published anything yet. I have submitted one article for the journal Measurement Science and Technology. I wait if it is refused or not.
I hope it is not top secret that you have a piece of an aircraft in your lab. Is it from a crash? What are you measuring it for?
It is a new part of a prototype of a very small plane. Some new materials are used for the skeleton. I examine its electrical properties.
We used to see you with French text-books all the time. Have you given up or have you read them all?
I have not given up but I do not have enough time, presently I study only occasionally.
I am preparing an interview with Dana Brozkova. Is there anything you would like to ask her?
Yes. How many caches have you already found?
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