WORLD CHAMPION EMIL IVERSEN LIKES TO TRAIN IN THE MARSH AND DO NORDIC RUNNING

by • 29.07.2021
Norwegian text: Ingebor Scheve, English text/re-write: Teemu Virtanen, Picture: One Way/Emil Iversen Emil Iversen became the World Champion in the 50 km race last winter when Johannes Høsflot Klæbo was disqualified due to the dramatic crash with Alexander Bolshunov at the finish line. Iversen is now preparing himself for the upcoming Olympics, and his favorite workout is…

Norwegian text: Ingebor Scheve, English text/re-write: Teemu Virtanen, Picture: One Way/Emil Iversen Emil Iversen became the World Champion in the 50 km race last winter when Johannes Høsflot Klæbo was disqualified due to the dramatic crash with Alexander Bolshunov at the finish line. Iversen is now preparing himself for the upcoming Olympics, and his favorite workout is…

Norwegian text: Ingebor Scheve, English text/re-write: Teemu Virtanen, Picture: One Way/Emil Iversen

Emil Iversen became the World Champion in the 50 km race last winter when Johannes Høsflot Klæbo was disqualified due to the dramatic crash with Alexander Bolshunov at the finish line. Iversen is now preparing himself for the upcoming Olympics, and his favorite workout is the one that Olympic Champion Frode Estil taught him to do.

Our affiliate Langrenn Pluss talked to Iversen about his summer training, and much like Hans Christer Holund (an article published yesterday) he keeps pushing hard. He is counting on some traditional methods that are certainly familiar to our Pro Team athletes as well.

“Actually, I have no favorite workout sessions. All training hurts, and I do not like to train,” says the 29-year-old from Meråker sounding like a used car salesman whose word is not to be trusted.

After a moment, Iversen gets serious and re-considers his answer. He says that a three-hour run in the wetlands is one of his favorite workouts.

“I live in Meråker, which means that this session is very natural to me. I learned it from Frode Estil. It’s a great training because you can go for a long time without getting injuries on your legs because you run on a wet ground.”

When asked about the benefits of the workout, he states that it develops physical and mental stamina.

“It’s a simple workout. You just take your running shoes and go out for hours. I have a regular round that I use, and it takes three hours to complete. I usually do this workout once a week.”

When it comes to the interval training, Iversen trusts proven concepts. He likes to do intervals running up a steep hill with poles, so called Elghufs-workout in Norwegian.

“Running hard on an uphill is my thing! I usually do 6 x 5 minutes with a 2-3 minute recovery. It’s a tough session! I grew up with this workout, but I can’t remember the first time I did it. It’s an effective exercise that can be done almost anywhere if you find a suitable hill.”

Iversen continues saying that it’s quite close to diagonal striding on climbs, and it develops the maximum capacity and increases VO2 max, both much needed for skiing fast in the winter.

“I start the training with a 30-minute warm-up and make sure that I end it at the bottom of a suitable hill. Then, I do those six intervals and I have a 2-3 minute recovery in-between. I do the runs very hard, close to my maximum capacity. To finish up, I do a 35-minute easy cool-off. I tend to do this once a week, particularly in the fall.”

Show sharing buttons

Subscribe to our newsletter

Most read

  • Team Ragde Stadaas
    1

    Two top athletes leave Team Ragde Charge

    by Ingeborg Scheve/Leandro Lutz
    13.04.2025
  • 13 Stian Hoelgaard
    1

    End of an Era: Retires after 13 seasons at the top level

    by Ingeborg Scheve/Leandro Lutz
    01.04.2025
  • Marcialonga
    1

    Nygaard and Fleten winners of Marcialonga 2025

    by Leandro Lutz
    26.01.2025
  • Mental Nygaard
    1

    Mental training makes a champion

    by Teemu Virtanen/André Santos
    29.02.2024
  • team Haavard Solaas  Taugboel
    1

    National team profile head-hunted by Ski Classics top Pro Team

    by Ingeborg Scheve/Translated by Katerina Paul
    01.04.2025

More Articles

  • Team ELON

    Team ELON Nord-Norge for season 2025/2026

    The Norwegian Ski Association has named the cross-country skiers for their Team ELON Nord-Norge for the season 2025/2026. 
    by Leandro Lutz
    15.05.2025
  • Five Swedish cross-country skiers confirmed for the 2026 Winter Olympics

    by Leandro Lutz
    14.05.2025
  • How to master V1 – the technique for uphill skating

    by ProXCskiing.com
    14.05.2025
  • Norwegian coaches to lead Estonian national biathlon teams

    by Leandro Lutz
    14.05.2025
  • Roller Ski Guide 2025

    by ProXCskiing.com
    14.05.2025