Interview: Nathan Holst
August 3, 2001
As a member of the vaunted Duluth East ski team, Nathan Holst
showed huge improvements last season. After finishing 34th
in the Grand Rapids Invite in 2000, Holst returned this year
and took first place in this classical race. Holst went on
to a 10th place finish in the State Meet classic race, and
helped power Duluth East to yet another State title, combining
with Anders Osthus, Bjorn Batdorf and Adam Van Stratton for
the team victory. Last February, over stiff competition, we
named Holst the Most
Improved High School Skier of the Year. Holst is now working
hard for what should be an exciting senior year at Duluth
East.
We interviewed Holst by e-mail on July 31th.
- Skinnyski: Can you give us a general run down on your
summer training?
Holst: This summer I am on a program given to me by
Steve Harrington. I started the program in May with 4
rest days, 3 intermediate days, and 1 long day. My easy
days started at 30 min, intermidiate at 40 min, and long
at 50 min. Now, in August, I am up to 60 min, 90 min,
and 3 hours.
Holst: Typical activities? Basically all I do is run
and rollerski. I try to space it out so I do about half
and half for each week, but if I don't it's no problem.
One last thing is that I also do take days off once in
awhile. When your schedule gets pretty full and long,
it can be kind of tiring. So, I just relax on one of my
easy days.
- Skinnyski: On average, how many hours per week are
you training in the summer?
Holst: This summer I'm working up to 11 per week, but
that is my final destination for the summer. Basically,
that will happen for one week before I start X-C running.
- Skinnyski: What time of the year do you start ski specific
training?
Holst: I started my training at the begining of May.
- Skinnyski: Favorite summer training activity?
Holst: Rollerskiing is kind of fun, but you have to
get the hang of it first.
- Skinnyski: The one summer training activity you hate
doing the most?
Holst: Oh man, those 3 hour runs are the worst.
- Skinnyski: What's the strangest/funniest thing thats
happened to you during summer training workouts?
Holst: Well, I was running with my friend Kurt one time
on a long run and I was at the point where I wasn't really
watching the ground anymore for the simple reason that
I was pretty tired. All of the sudden, I hid a root that
was sticking up and fell flat on my face. Needless to
say, Kurt laughed pretty hard and I went home with a couple
of bumps and scratches.
- Skinnyski: If you had to pick one training tip that
you think was most helpful over the years, what would it
be?
Holst: That's an easy one--Stay dedicated. That's what
I think counts the most. If you just put in the time and
really work hard I believe you will see results in your
skiing. It also just feels great to be in shape, so it's
well worth the time you put in. If you're having trouble
keeping up with your workouts, bring a friend to keep
you going. It's more fun and you can keep each other accountable.
If you can just get out there, you've completed the hardest
part.
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