World champion Ingrid Kristiansen has teamed up with RunAgain on project “Road to Gothenburg” to train self-proclaimed “average run-for-fun” runner Lauren Hoivik for the Goteborgsvarvet half marathon in May. Read what happens when they meet!
Meet the coach!
When Ingrid opened the door to her home training studio and welcomed me with a big smile and a booming “hei!” I felt a surge of excitement. Here I am! Your average middle-aged, middle of the pack runner, standing on the doorstep of world champion and record setter Ingrid Kristiansen. I am about to be coached by a legend.
We met once before, exactly a year ago, when I came for a threshold test I received as a birthday gift. I connected with Ingrid immediately then… we have both lived in Boulder, Colorado and have even run the same 10k race there. We are direct, down to earth, hard working and fun loving, and we share similar philosophies about balance in life and training.
This time, we are starting a joint project and the excitement was doubled! We are both equally excited about this collaboration leading to the Goteborgsvarvet and spreading the word that running is for everyone, goal-setting and structured training is for everyone! Running is FUN and achieving more than you thought you could is DEFINITELY FUN.
The beginning:
Ingrid looks at the whole person when setting up a training plan. We all have demands in our lives and this is a factor when creating a training plan. We talked about goals. I do not want to only focus on time. For me, the feeling I have at the finish line is also important. I want to feel like I pushed and gave it my all, but I do not want to feel miserable and painfully over-exerted. I also want to stay injury-free.
It is SO motivating to me that Ingrid takes my training seriously! I cannot lie. When she called me an athlete, I felt like my childhood dream of being in the Olympics was coming true. Ha! Anyway, the wisdom and feedback she shares is so valuable. Listen and learn. Soak it all in!! I asked so many questions and learned so much already in this first session together.
The threshold test:
After collecting information about me and my goals, Ingrid set up the threshold test and I stepped up to the treadmill in her training studio.
What is a threshold test?
This test is nothing to dread. It is tough, but completely manageable. The beauty of your threshold pulse is that you should never go higher than it. And if you stay below it… you don’t overexert yourself. I warmed up, then ran several intervals, each one increasing in speed until Ingrid collected enough data to identify the threshold pulse. Ingrid closely monitored my heartrate the whole time.
The results:
Well, I have not been that structured the past year, but even so my aerobic capacity has improved! This means my potential to run a faster half marathon has also increased.
And you may be surprised!! The main focus is that to get faster, I need to run slower! Stay within the heart rate ranges specified in the plan for each workout. This is how you increase aerobic capacity over time, stay consistent and avoid injury.
After we looked at the data and concluded on some goals, I packed up my workout bag and headed home, with even more excitement about these next few months of training than I had before.
Ingrid analyzed the test results, considered the half marathon goal for Goteborgsvarvet in May, and set up a 3 week plan to begin with. This plan is specific for my goal and my starting point. So motivating! I have 100% faith that the plan will work.
Read more about the plan and first month of training next time!