Ice cool Jukka eyes steeplechase crown
Finland's European steeplechase champion Jukka Keskisalo talks to spikesmag.com about how to beat the Kenyans, the Finnish distance running tradition and how to survive training in temperatures of -34c.
Trying to beat the Africans in the steeplechase is hard enough, let alone training in a cold country during winter. How do overcome this?
JK: I try to train outside of the country in better conditions, as much as possible. I normally train at home for maybe only three weeks in the winter time. We have some indoor arenas as well. I spent five weeks this winter in South Africa and 12-weeks in Flagstaff, USA.
Ingrid Kristiansen, the former world 10,000m record holder from Norway, used to train on the treadmill during the winter, is it the same for you?
JK: I do my steady runs, morning runs (on the treadmill) at four minutes per kilometre. I would maybe do about 300km on the treadmill in the winter.
The Africans and, particularly, the Kenyans have dominated the steeplechase for the past 30 years do you think they are beatable.
JK: I’m trying to raise my level and concentrate on my own records. If I’m impriving maybe I can take those records one day.
Why did you take up the steeplechase?
JK: I used to do high hurdles when I was under-15 then at under-17 I was given the possibility to do the steeplechase. It was natural.
Are you inspired by Finland’s rich distance running tradition.
JK: In the Nineties the people didn’t understand how hard it is to be No.1 in the world because in the Seventies they wasn’t as many Africans runners, nowadays that is a normal situation. Athletics is still a popular sport (in Finland) on World Championship final days we have 1.5m people in a nation of 5m watching. It is very big pressure competing, but not so much like the Nineties.
Who were you’re heroes in running?
I didn’t have any special ones. I used to like Ari Suhonen (the 1:44 800m runner).
Training in the Finnish winter Is obviously tough, but I guess in the summer it is ideal?
Yes, in summertime it is sunny all the time, also at night. The running paths are very smooth, ideal for long distance running. These paths are very hard to find at high altitude.
What qualities do you need to excel in the steeplechase?
JK: You have to have some skill, but the flexibility and jumping over the barriers is not such a big deal becausee they are only 91cm high and everybody can jump them.
How often practise jumping over the barriers?
JK: I would usually start in March with special training with drills and some reps with the hurdles.
How much of an advantage is it to come from a hurdles background?
JK: Of course, it is little bit like walking once you get it, it is easier to remember. This is also an advantage when you are tired in the last 400m. I am a very good hurdling in all races.
Why are the Kenyans so good at steeplechasing?
JK: It is quite natural for those guys. They are also quite brave and not afraid about anything. They can run and train in a big groups in Kenya and train for the steeple. If you are a lone runner from Finland and you run in major competitions they are not so many people around you.
You mentioned bravery do you think that is a important quality in your discipline?
JK: Yes, of course it is a big thing. If you are not brave and take things easier before the barriers it makes a big difference because you are jumping 30 times. When you take that hurdle and take it badly you lose that speed. You can't pick that speed up again and that's the end of the game. I did it a couple of times last year in Monaco the last 200m was awful. One barrier can break that rhythm.
How cold does the temperature reach for training in Finland?
JK: Actually this has been very, very cold winter. For a long time now it has been -20c but you do get used to and because the humidity is very low it much easier. "Training in -34c is my record, and it is not very clever," says Keskisalo. "The hardest part is breathing because when you are working with maximal oxygen uptake you can easily get a sore throat or sore lungs."
I guess you are running on snow and ice?
JK: The hardest part is it is slippery. I wear running shoes with ice spikes. It is a little bit different the feeling when you are running with those on. I broke my hand slipping on the ice in 2006.
Why is it so dangerous?
JK: When you are working with maximal oxygen uptake, it so rare you can easily get a sore throat or sore lungs.
What clothing do have to wear?
JK: Three layers, first one keeps you dry, the second one warm and the third layer Is for the wind. When it is very cold you have to wear some kind of fabric around your nose and mouth. It can get very sore there.
What is the worst experience you've had?
JK: Maybe when I was very younger and you start a training session in -5c or -6 but by the end of the training session it can be -17c. That can make it tricky because you might not start the run with the right clothes on.
Jukka Keskisalo also features in the latest SPIKES magazine.
Have you signed up to get your copy?
If not click on the free subscription link below.
If you enjoyed this spikesmag.com feature then you might like one of these:
Dai Greene on Ryan Giggs
Shannon Rowbury on the big screen
Jeff Riseley: How I survived Black Saturday