If you have ever been to one of our Shootouts, then you will most likely have had the pleasure of meeting an always positive and happy Swede.
That Swede is Johan Åsell!
He is now living in Copenhagen, and we have the pleasure of having him train with us in OOB Coaching. Johan is always very supportive of fellow athletes and is active in supporting other causes.
Above is Johan showing his support for Danish Cancer Society projekt OmSorg.
Johan has been interviewed by his coach, Vladimir Savic.
How did you get into training for sport events? Have you always been a very active athlete?
For me it all started with meeting a very active woman, that for many years had done a lot of endurance sports, and when we where on vacations together I envied her morning runs, that took here all kinds of places, seeing much that I did not see.
Then I was challenged by some colleagues to run DHL 5 km in 2008, and all of a sudden I wanted to try a marathon. I began to really enjoy endurance running.
After supporting some friends that completed KMD Challenge Copenhagen in 2011 (now KMD Ironman Copenhagen) and cheering them on during race day, I was completely inspired. I came home to my wife and told her: “I HAVE TO try racing a full distance Ironman”
What is most important to you in training/racing? What do you enjoy the most?
The most important for me is to enjoy my training, and that it is varied, that you can keep the inspiration. and not keep having the feeling that its all on repeat.
I have always found the “road” to the race to be the most fascinating, and I often enjoy the training more than the actual race.
This is also why I often can feel all empty and sad after the main race of the season.
Why are you working with OOB Coaching?
“FREEDOM”
Working with OOB Coaching allows me to focus on training and not on making training plans. This is a fantastic advantage when having a hectic job.
It is also a great help that sudden changes in plans due to work or other factors, always are adjusted in your plan with a fast response.
Working with my coach, getting feedback has also had a tremendous effect on me, as I earlier only had two gears in my training (full speed ahead or rest) therefore I often ended out overreaching and never really progressed. Being coached by OOB and Vladimir have opened up for my personal potential in chasing minutes (hours) on race day.
Having a coach telling me when to keep going strong, or when to take an extra rest day, makes me relaxed and free from worries.
What is your current goal?
Currently I am having an “off season” after 2 years with 70.3 and full distance ironman races. This year I have a stronger focus on my wife and my son (1 year old), so I am doing some marathons and 1/2 marathons to keep on having some fun.
What is you greatest experience with training/racing?
My best experience so far is how OOB and coach Vladimir made me ready for KMD Ironman Copenhagen in “record breaking time” and even with less training hours than the year before. I cut over 50 mins off my personal record, while training fewer hours. I also had a fantastic race with excess power all the way to the last 12km in the race.
What are the 3 best advices you can pass on from your personal experience with training/racing?
- Embrace your training
- Keep a healthy balance in your life (make sure there is room for family, work and friends)
- Visualize you goal and keep focus on that feeling.
Happy training!
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