Seasoned athlete, Andreas Wenger, is both adapt at road and trail running. While running is his passion, there are other things that he also enjoys doing. Let’s find out more about Andreas!
Profile
Sport: Road and Trail Running
Name: Andreas Wenger
IG handle: @ Icyandi
Facebook: andreas.wenger.73
1. When did you discover that this was your passion and that you were going to pursue it as far as you could?
I was doing sports (gym, soccer, running, squash) regularly but was a very casual runner. I participated in runs but didn’t have the ambition to become faster. Only in 2015, I started with a coach and more serious training for road marathons. I had the opportunities to run some of the world majors and continuously improved my timings. Besides road marathons, I really enjoy trail running as you are much more in nature. Those races are giving a different challenge, and it’s not about timing. Usually, the main goal is to reach the finish line and just have fun.
2. Are there people who inspire you?
I have a group of running friends that are all inspirational in their own way. Having a running group definitely makes it easier. Many might see running as an individual sport, but your running friends make a big difference. In some races you might run alone, some you run with a friend and some you support a friend. This is what I enjoy and what keeps me going.
3. Have you participated in any major competition?
a. I ran the world major marathons: Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Boston.
b. In 2019 I completed Ultra Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB)
c. Ultra Trail Mount Fuji (2015) was my first 100 mile race
d. In 2007 I did my one and only Ironman. Maybe I will do that again
4. In your opinion, what was your best performance?
Completing 200miles (320km) around Singapore was one of the hardest runs I did. When I look back, I wonder how I managed to finish this.
5. What’s your training like when training for a competition?
a. Speed training
b. One intervals session
c. One Threshold session
d. Recovery run (slow)
e. Long run
f. Strength training
g. Rest Days (very important)
In total I will run about 70-90km per week
6. Do you maintain a special diet? If so, what do you eat? Are there cheat days?
Most days I am vegetarian. I drink a lot of milk and I love my cereal and sweets. I do have cheat days where I eat meat or fish (1-2 days a month).
7. When not training for a competition, what’s your training like? Do you cross-train? What does a typical week look like?
The training plan and volume is quite similar if I train for a competition or not. The speed sets might be adjusted to the competition and I might add some hills when I plan a trail run.
8. Do you see yourself as an inspirational role model for aspiring athletes?
If I can inspire someone to run or have a healthier lifestyle, that’s great. I might speak more to the mature runners I am getting older but faster. So don’t put age as a limiting factor. There is sooo much we can achieve if we just believe in ourselves.
9. Where are your favourite training spots?
I try to run a bit all over as I am getting bored to run the same route over and over again. I don’t really have a favourite training spot. I know the track is definitely not my favourite as it’s a place where the training is always hard 😊
10. Have you always been fit and fab? Was there a time when you were not?
a. I have always done some sports. I definitely was a bit ‘bigger’ in the past as I am quite lean at the moment. So I was always working on my fitness.
b. The Fab part I am still trying to find 😊
11. If there are readers who would like to get started in your sport, what advice do you have?
Take it slow and have fun. Your friends might run 5km, 10km or more and you want to do the same. Increase the distance slowly to prepare the body and prevent injuries.
12. Do you have anything else about yourself you’d like to share?
a. Besides running for myself, I try to run every Saturday with https://www.runninghour.com/ It’s just a great bunch of people and I met so many inspiring people. Running with my buddies is just the best start into the weekend.
b. And yeah I love to dress up also for running 😊 mostly I do it during Runninghour events.
Being able to enjoy one’s favourite activity along with friends makes for great fun in life: that about sums up what we learn about Andreas in this interview. We really appreciate Andreas taking time to share with us a little about himself with us. Sunday Shades wishes him every success!