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In RT Snap’s Q&A series, we had the privilege of interviewing some of the world’s best racers, delving into their extraordinary journeys, celebrating their accomplishments, and exploring the unwavering dedication that defines their careers.
Alexanderson died
- Date of birth: April 14, 1993
- Nationality: Sweden
- FootO, SkiO and Trail Running
Alexanderson died He is a legendary figure in the world of endurance sports, with a career spanning orienteering, skiing, sky running and skimo. She has been crowned world champion in multiple disciplines, a testament to her exceptional versatility and dominance in endurance events.
Tovey’s journey into the sport of orienteering began at an early age, competing in her first race when she was just one year old. This early exposure to diverse terrain laid the foundation for their ability to excel in a wide range of challenging environments, from dense forests to rugged mountain passes.
Her transition to road and mountain running was unexpected and amazing. In 2017, after a successful guiding season, she entered the Skyrunning World Series final on a whim, and not only entered but won the race.
This victory led her to pursue the World Championships the following year, which she also captured, cementing her status as one of the most accomplished endurance athletes. Toffee’s ability to combine tactical thinking with physical endurance, honed in orienteering, translates seamlessly to sky running, where navigating difficult terrain is a key element.
Tovey continues to dominate in her field, with an impressive collection of world championship titles under her belt. Her training focuses on a mix of mountain running, skiing and snowboarding, ensuring her body is prepared for the variety of challenges each event poses. Despite her success, she remains consistent, with a clear focus on improving her performance and remaining adaptable to new challenges in her sporting journey.
RT: Trail running requires endurance, speed, and the ability to adapt to different terrain. What inspired you to explore this discipline, and how has your background in orienteering influenced your success in skydiving and racing?
He died: I started directing at a very young age. I did my first orienteering race when I was just one year old, so orienteering has always been a big part of my life. In orienteering, you need to be able to handle all types of running — everything from running up and down steep slopes in the woods to running fast on a flat road. The terrain can be heavy with lots of wet swamps or technical with lots of stones and everything in between. Since I was young, I learned to run on many different types of terrain.
My first long race was in 2017. It was the final of the Skyrunning World Series, and I went there with some ski friends after the ski season. I wasn’t specifically prepared for the race. It was like a vacation and a way to try something new. But I won the race, and that was a great experience. I decided to go to the World Championships the following year. I won that race too, and I think those two races are my most treasured wins so far, mostly because they were a bit unexpected, and I surprised myself as well.
RT: Your versatility in endurance sports is exceptional. Can you take us through a typical training week focused on running, and how you balance intensity and recovery to prepare for road and mountain competitions?
He died: In fact, I don’t have a lot of training weeks focused on mountain racing, because orienteering is my main sport. But I really like to do long sessions in the mountains, and I also like to do intervals on the hills, so this is good preparation for road and mountain races as well.
My training weeks vary a lot, but here is a training week from the summer when I ran a trail race:
Monday:
- 40-minute intervals on hills (2 hours total)
- Running for two hours
Tuesday:
- 3 hours and 40 minutes mountain running
- 45 minutes for ice skating
Wednesday:
- 55-minute orientation periods (2 hours total)
- 1h 35min road running
Thursday:
- Mountain running for 3 hours
- 1 hour 15 minutes uphill with poles
Friday:
- 40-minute orientation periods (1 hour and 30 minutes total)
- 50 minutes of ice skating
Saturday:
Sunday:
- Track Race: Fleta Trail (1 hour 38 minutes)
- Total 2 hours and 15 minutes
- 40 minutes running
RT: Running in extreme conditions and difficult terrain is part of your success. Can you share a particularly difficult race or moment in your career and how you overcame it?
He died: The biggest challenges I faced during the race was when I hit the wall because I didn’t have enough energy with me. My first longer race was almost 3.5 hours, but the only energy I had was two gels (and I didn’t eat anything at the stations). I thought that would be enough for 3.5 hours, but it definitely wasn’t. After that, I learned the importance of fueling properly during a race.
RT: You have excelled at the highest level in road and mountain running. What are your next running-focused goals or challenges that you aim to overcome?
He died: Right now, I don’t have any big running goals, but I plan to focus a little more on running in a few years. However, next season, steering will still be my main focus.
RT: Long distance running, especially in challenging environments, requires physical and mental flexibility. How do you maintain focus and composure during critical moments in races?
He died: Staying focused during the race is not a problem for me, because I am used to steer races where you really need to concentrate every second. So, for me, arcade races can be a bit boring sometimes because I don’t need to maintain focus in the same way as during steer races. I’m always happy when the terrain is really technical so I have something to focus on. Of course, the terrain can be technical and difficult at times, but I really like it!
RT: For aspiring runners looking to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you give about building a successful running career, especially in dealing with setbacks and staying motivated?
He died: To have a successful running career and stay motivated while dealing with setbacks, I think one of the important things is to get another form of training that you enjoy, which isn’t running. Road running is very hard on the body, and if you are running all the time, you are likely to sustain some injuries. I also think it’s good for motivation to have some variation in training. I love cycling, and in the winter I ski a lot.
