As summer gradually transitioned into autumn, Magnus Vesterheim, Team Kaffebryggeriet, sat down for an interview to discuss his goals and preparations for the winter racing season. The talk covered his feelings after the summer training, his training approach focused on lactate management, insights collected from recent competitions, and his ambitious future goals. Additionally, the interview explored the evolving landscape of Ski Classics and contemplated the Pro Team athlete ideas to enhance the spectator experience in winter sports.

Magnus shared that he is starting to feel good after the summer. He acknowledged that his back had posed some challenges, hindering his planned training regimen earlier in the summer. 

“I’m starting to feel good now. The summer has been decent, but I’ve had some issues with my back, which prevented me from training as much as I had planned”, said Magnus to ProXCskiing.com.

However, his back has been feeling better since August, and he hopes it will continue to stay that way. Despite the limited training he could undertake in June and July, Magnus mentioned that the roller ski races in August had gone reasonably well. He did observe a slight deficiency in high-speed training due to his previous back issues but expressed satisfaction that his threshold training had progressed as planned, with a noticeable positive impact on his performance.

“I did notice a slight lack of high-speed training due to my back issue. Nevertheless, my threshold training has gone as planned, and I can feel the positive impact on my performance”, the Norwegian skier says.

Measuring lactate levels to avoid excessive training intensity

Magnus explained his training approach, which had evolved significantly since 2021. 

He emphasized the importance of managing the intensity of his hard sessions, particularly his threshold sessions lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. Avoiding excessive intensity during these sessions was crucial to prevent prolonged recovery times. To monitor his progress, Magnus uses a Taidoc device to measure and maintain his lactate levels below 5 mmol/L. He also described an anaerobic capacity test involving a challenging 5-minute treadmill exercise to raise his lactate and heart rate, pushing his limits.

“I’ve ensured that my threshold sessions, which typically last between 60 and 90 minutes, don’t push me too hard. Going too hard during these sessions results in much longer recovery times compared to staying below my sweet spot. I use a Taidoc device for measurements and aim to keep my lactate levels below 5 mmol/L. I also use it to assess my anaerobic capacity, where I set the treadmill as high as possible for 5 minutes to elevate my lactate and heart rate. It’s always a tough challenge, but it’s also rewarding to push my limits.”

Regarding his summer competition experiences, the Pro Team athlete noted that he excelled in uphill and endurance events but faced difficulties in steep, short hills and mass sprints toward the finish line.

“I excel in uphill and endurance events but often struggle on steep, short hills and in mass sprints towards the finish line. With six months until Vasaloppet, there’s no doubt where my focus will be,” Magnus shares.

The goal is to secure a victory

Looking ahead to the upcoming winter season, Magnus’ primary goal is to secure a victory in a Ski Classics Pro Tour event. Despite achieving 4th and 6th place at Birkebeinerrennet, he emphasizes the significance of performing consistently well throughout the season and aiming for a solid overall position in Ski Classics, with Vasaloppet and Marcialonga as key targets.

“My primary goal is crystal clear: to secure a victory in a ski race. I’ve achieved 4th and 6th place at Birken, which suggests it’s a race that suits my style. Of course, Vasaloppet and Marcialonga are also significant targets.”

Reflecting on the evolution of Ski Classics since his entry into the sport, Magnus acknowledges that there have been developments, primarily marked by an increasing number of skilled skiers and dedicated teams. However, he believes there is still room for improvement. 

He suggests making the sport more accessible for viewers at home through enhanced broadcasts, improved graphics, and additional content throughout the year. Magnus also proposes the possibility of organizing a tour with multiple races over five days, drawing inspiration from the popularity of the Tour de France and its ease of viewing from home, especially during holiday periods.

“People adore the Tour de France because it’s easy to watch from the comfort of their homes, especially during holidays. So, why not create a similar tour during one of the winter vacation periods?”

In summary, Magnus Vesterheim’s interview highlighted his resilience in overcoming setbacks and his dedication to optimizing his training. Magnus is determined to secure a victory in a Ski Classics race while aiming for a consistent performance. 

Also Read – Magnus Vesterheim: The football player who became Pro Team athlete

Here you can find Magnus Vesterheim’s Ski Classics results.

 Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 35km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 55km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 12km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

For more updates and information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com.