The benefits of warrior-like training
Listening to Warholm, one is struck by the unwavering determination of an athlete striving to become the greatest hurdler of all-time.
From his aggressive personality to his wild training schedules that can last up to eight hours a day, and even the team he surrounds himself with— he is relentless in his pursuit of success.
Among them is his longtime coach, Lief Olav Alnes, whom he calls the “mastermind” and “brains” behind his three world titles, three world records, and Olympic gold. Additionally, his mum and grandmother handle administration and accounting, respectively.
“I understood quickly that to be in this game and to be on top, you have to first surround yourself with great people, which I’ve always done. I’ve always been with the same coach all my life, and we’ve built a great relationship with a lot of consistency in training,” said Karsten.
After getting off to a fast start to the season by winning the 400m hurdles at the second stop of the Diamond League in the People’s Republic of China and blazing to a world best in the 300m hurdles, he knew it was time to slow down after finishing third behind Rai Benjamin in Stockholm. It reminded him of his Olympic disappointment.
From his acclaimed hurdles on grass training to “Spikes on treadmill,” he underwent another rigorous two-month training block. He returned in August and charged to the world lead in Silesia, before clinching the Diamond League Trophy in Zurich.
“Training works,” shared the 29-year-old known for the chest thumps before his races to get his adrenaline flowing.
“The only thing that was a bit surprising to me was that I could run this fast coming out of training. We had the last really hard training session just a week before that race, so hopefully the shape can continue to build.”