"I write my own training programme" | Jakob Ingebrigtsen on the mindset behind his success

"It's very important for runners that want to be good to take part in their training/programme as everybody needs to understand the basic principles."
Jakob Ingebrigtsen opens up about becoming a double European Cross Country champion, after an imperious display in frosty Turin.
The Norwegian Olympic and world champion delves into being self-confident about training, working with his brothers and thoughts of going into coaching in the long-term.
He also provides advice for young runners on how to make it within track and field.
Jason Henderson asks the questions.

[@jamie.lennon1]

Always love Jakob's interviews. There's no act with him. He's so straight forward. It's honestly so refreshing to listen to.

[@TwistedTransistor88]

typical norwegian.

[@jp05598]

Kind of tough to not be arrogant when you’re the best in the world by a pretty clear margin. That said, when I hear him speak, arrogance isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Phenomenal athlete

[@beverleyreid8258]

True

[@oceanoverde1865]

Yeah buddy, phénoménal is the Word.

[@IntoTheSkyy]

Im a simple man. I see Jakob, I hear Jakob, I upvote

[@johnedwards2051]

Jakob has a unique sarcasm at times

[@userten4340]

Jacob talking about his training system, is gold for we all runners

[@beverleyreid8258]

So true and I'm a 61 year old runner

[@userten4340]

@@beverleyreid8258 Keep running my friend

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

@@beverleyreid8258 I'm 66, competing and coaching 50 years and I learned a few things for sure. Bookmarked for future reference.

[@ghost-writer]

Don't underestimate the value of a close, loving family. You may have all the physical potential in the world, but a broken, unsupportive family foundation. In my mind, he has a perfect foundation. Kudos to the whole family, especially to Hendrick and Filip, who always seem to be there in love and training. A rare combo.

[@osgubben]

Well, the last year the brothers broke with the father/trainer, and they hardly speak with him.

[@ghost-writer]

@@osgubben Gert's role was crucial, but the fact that the boys were emotionally mature enough to step away, speaks for itself. I'd say that Gert loves and has nurtured them all in his way. Children can learn from a father's weaknesses.

[@cemohnsevier9745]

Agreed!❤❤

[@userten4340]

Congrats to the interviewers for the quiestions we want to ask him as runners

[@beverleyreid8258]

True

[@J.e.f.f.r.e.y]

Fantastic interviewing. Great interviewers like you guys bring out the best in athletes and draw them out. Bad interviewers annoy athletes and then call them arrogant. Well done to you guys for a fantastic interview and we were able to get some real insight into the champions training and racing strategies that we can learn from.

[@jasonhenderson5879]

Jakob was generous with his time (he had already spent a chunk of time talking to broadcast media too) and I think/hope he enjoyed chatting to us as he literally had to be dragged away in the end by a media officer to go to his medal ceremony. The interview with a little 'combative' in places but he gave measured, blunt and honest answers to everything.

[@oceanoverde1865]

Clever man. I love this Guy.

[@Spirit_Matters.Arthur]

Being at the absolute top of his game and then doing an 11minute interview into the specifics of his success, props - really! This is truly a Lover of the Sport, wanting all to improve - thankyou

[@jasperherr8694]

Jakob: "My training programme started 23 years ago" Interviewer: "But it says you are 22 years old" Jakob: "I started training in my mother's womb. My father was already playing the metronome everyday. When I popped out, the next thing I knew was I could run before crawling"

[@lanagorgeous9485]

This young man is AWESOME! 😎

[@la8pv737]

Norway a country of 5 milllion, have the best 1500 m runner in the world, the best striker in the world, the best 400m hurdles in the world, the best chess player of all times, Odegaard the Arsenal captain, and more olympic winter gold medals than any other nation. Crushing USA, Russia, and China.

[@jasonpill179]

Quality interview showing Jacob is a seriously intelligent person who is not arrogant but someone who has an amazing amount of self belief and self awareness

[@curreretraining999]

Great interview. Very good questions that Jacob enjoyed answering. He is a class act.

[@emf6621]

Good responses by JI. Interviewer asked sensible questions, too, kudos.

[@wandelpassiert8064]

He is incredibly mature for his young age!

[@marksmyth5505]

This guy is so versatile,what an amazing athlete.

[@atedejong5620]

Look forward to the coming outdoor track and field season again, although far away...

[@peters6119]

Supremely intelligent. My athletics coach always stressed that to be the best athletes you have to be intelligent. Jakob is one of the greatest and he is clearly one of the most intelligent as well. I still can't believe that he runs 185-190 km/week. That's just an astounding volume of training at 27 km/day on average. I know that's at the high end and he does somewhat less volume during the racing season, but it's still astounding.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

He is a smart young man with a long training history, and smart people around him. The ideal combination.

[@pdonj7228]

for most people 27km split into two sessions is an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. but he will be running at a faster pace, so it isn't even that for him. 50 minutes maybe, give or take depending on the type of run. with proper rest and diet it's not that much really, especially when you don't have a job and can put your feet up the rest of the day.

[@maikolmaikolmaikol]

@@pdonj7228 although I somehow agree with your main point, there is a lot of action behind the scenes that allows him to run those easy runs at 3:45-3:50 pace without blinking. Physio, strength and conditioning, stretching, right timing for nutrition, proper rest...if for a non-pro amateur athlete like me that consumes sometimes more time than my actual running time (90-100km per week), in his case it turns into a full-time job.

[@finnrmr]

What would be your advice for a 17 year old runner? I have a coach who has a training scheme built for me but I don’t really understand every training I’m doing. I’m doing 2 trainings are for mileage. 2 for endurance/intervals. 1 for speed but I’ve never dived deep into improving my training. I trust my coach. But i also struggle with injuries and sometimes time my diet and sleep. I also train a lot alone and don’t have someone to train with who is faster and has a strong & driven mindset. All tips are welcome also small ones:) Thank you

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

@@finnrmr The real key is communication between you and your coach. They should be able to take the time to discuss what each element does and how you should feel. Other than that, I would say that a consistent lifestyle and steady training efforts, not pushing your body too hard too soon, will pay off over the years. I am on year 50 and still making adjustments and having a blast!

[@n_k1817]

a master piece !!!!!!!!!!!! I wish you the 1500m WR !!

[@natgiann]

Thank you Jacob for taking the time to respond to these questions! We all want to know!

[@migueltome1148]

Great champion! Very nice interview

[@saraadams6447]

great interview!!

[@johnlvs2run]

What an excellent interview. Thank you, Jakob.

[@DA-bp8lf]

This kid’s amazing!! So young! So many MORE great things to come! 🤗👏👏👏

[@cakej1]

Shoe companies should listen to his advice.

[@ThatRunningGuy]

Awesome interview

[@alvarojrgalo926]

what a range never seen anything like it.

[@jimmason8502]

Said Aouita had it, 800m to 10,000m. Moe Farrah had it, 1500m Euro Record holder to 10,000m. Zatopek, 5k to marathon gold medals....we've seen his like before just not as fast as this.

[@robwilhoit6461]

He just ooozes with confidence and never satisfied. Always hungry to improve. Rare specimen.

[@JekabsJan]

This has to be the best interview I've ever heard.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

He reminds me of Adam Ondra, the world's best rock climber, confident, smart but not arrogant.

[@Trailrunner1978]

Bra jobba Jakob!

[@raulputong542]

Jakob ingebrigtsen is going to be the 🐐! 🥇🏃‍♂️🗯️

[@felisbertodedeus2576]

Legend

[@jeffjeff8562]

I wasn't expecting him to say "douche" or "asshole" in this interview.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

His grasp English is superb :D

[@jeffjeff8562]

@@terraflow__bryanburdo4547 No doubt, but I thought it was funny as hell when he said that. I laughed, reactionary, not expecting to. One of those good laughs.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

His hair is so perfect he could be a Werewolf of London.

[@themetricsystem7967]

His mother is a hairdresser

[@veeco50]

Regarding the reference to Magnus Carlson: Who is better at their respective craft, Jakob or Magnus? I love them both! I'm leaning towards Magnus myself. Go Norway!

[@kiraofthesky5561]

Norway also has Halland!!

[@bambus0404]

@@kiraofthesky5561 ...and Blummenfelt...and Casper Ruud...and Victor Hovland..and Warholm...and about 15 others world athletes in winter sports

[@phylosophdotcom]

Magnus has been inbeatable at blitz / speed and classical chess for a long time so clearly Magnus but I think it is harder to compete with runners who bere born at high altitudes so Jakob has potentially improved himself a lot more than Magnus.

[@felisbertodedeus2576]

Europe legend

[@claudiacortes3067]

Simple the best

[@Alex-pr6zv]

If it was in Sandnes, then maybe

[@greganikin7003]

Jacob is a very smart guy! lykke til Jacob

[@user-bf6ul8ok1s]

Maybe its cultural but of the 10 or so interviews I have watched of Jakob never found him arrogant. I follow him and a bunch of other athletes on IG and he puts out the least amount of self promoting stuff, mostly its his girl or just him running on a treadmill.

[@goatbloat8233]

Gjert spotted: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJDKkqSFZq1_opI ... he is not coaching them any more but the whole thing is a mystery so I am surprised to see him walking there.

[@osgubben]

Tht was NOT Gjert :-)

[@randytindol2172]

Jakob reminds me of a young energetic but productive Steve Prefontaine..

[@luisortegast]

5:40

[@chrisvarelabenitez4690]

It's remarkable that we are able to witness such a young mature high caliber athlete. Master tactician and works hard to win. At the same time, I wouldn't be surprised if he was "doping." I enjoy what the Ingebrigtsen's do for the running world.

[@abkonk]

Most elite athletes dope. You’ve got to accept it as a piece of athletics at this point

[@bambus0404]

@@abkonk serious accusation without shred of proof. He has been a super talent since 10 years old, been followed closely ever since, and tested without warning numerous times. He is clean.

[@leptitduo]

Please substitle in French 🔥

[@andersjakobsen9906]

Jacob is a Norwegian, doing the interview in English, for the whole world to understand. You don't learn English in France?

[@serumser1]

@@andersjakobsen9906 I think that is a bit arrogant to say

[@lukejanofski4233]

@@serumser1 fr lmao. Monolingualism is wild here in the us

[@leptitduo]

@@andersjakobsen9906 😂😂

[@hotdog9262]

@@andersjakobsen9906 many european nations even place their own audio on foreign films. the mindset is nuts^^

[@mo_fanthe_magic_god7954]

lol

[@roadrunner3481]

I would say the arrogant claims actually are spot on. I admire Jakob as a runner but I just wish I could see him as a role model or an idol. Once you fail to see the difference between being arrogant and self confident in what you do you will automatically use that as an explanation or excuse to how you act and that won’t allow you to develop on a personal level.

[@mutleyb]

What do you see that makes you say he is arrogant? Genuine question looking for your opinion.

[@brakerbraker829]

"If everything has gone according to my plan....". Not like in the old days when an athlete would say he felt strong, was in good shape and hoped to challenge for the win. Now it's all about THE PLAN. A certain cyclist was always big on THE PLAN.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

Failure to plan is planning to fail.

[@ironmantooltime]

Two things: pivot to race mode and training long distance is easy (by which we should infer peaking for shorter distances is much, much harder). I'll take his word for it on the latter point a) because I don't run short hardly ever (Parkrun doesn't count right) and b) I figure he knows what he's talking about 🤣👍

[@LG9786]

Italy Anthem ❤️🇮🇹