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Bronze Medalist Jolanda Čeplak Unveils Her Incredible Olympics Journey!

Jolanda Čeplak

Jolanda Čeplak, born on September 12, 1976 is a Slovenian middle distance athlete. She was born in Celje and lived in Velenje until briefly moving to Monaco. She specializes in the 800 metres.

Her most successful season was 2002. On March 2nd, at the European Indoor Championships in Vienna she beat local favourite Stephanie Graf and set the indoor world record at 1:55.82. In the same year at the European Championships in Munich she became the European champion.

At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Čeplak finished very strongly in the 800 m but could not quite catch winner Kelly Holmes and finished third, winning the bronze medal.

Achievements:

  • 2002
    • European Indoor Championships
      • 800 m gold medal and world record
    • European Championships
      • 800 m gold medal
    • IAAF World Cup
      • 800 m bronze medal
    • European Cup B League Final
      • 800 m gold medal
  • 2003
    • European Cup B League Final
      • 800 m gold medal
  • 2004
    • 2004 Summer Olympics
      • 800 m bronze medal
    • World Indoor Championships
      • 800 m silver medal
  • 2007
    • European Indoor Championships
      • 800 m bronze medal

Let us take you through the Slovenian middle distance athlete, Jolanda Čeplak’s incredible fitness journey in an exclusive interview with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You are a middle-distance runner who has set a mark at the Olympic Games, World Championships as well the European Championships. Tell us more about your spectacular journey .  

Ms. Jolanda Čeplak: Nowadays, I am almost a full time mom of two daughters. In my young age, I loved to run barefoot everywhere. The first steps of my sports career began when I was 7 years old. All alone, I walked into my hometown stadium. First 12 years of my career I was coached by Tomislav Popetru (former 800m, 1500m runner). At the age of 14, I had already run Ex Yugoslavian junior record 2:10.15 that still stands today. When the puberty came the results were improving little slower, but to the age of 20 (in 1997) I managed to run 2:00.78. In the following years, I was struggling to improve that result until my coach decided to get me some help for strength training. The previous results were based more or less on running, little jumping and little strength training. We had reserves in strength and power training to improve maximal speed. In the time I was cooperating with Aleš Škoberne, we did much more weight lifting training, jumping,… which improved my performances.

All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2016 Women Fitness

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Introduce us to a day in the life of an athlete, preparing for the Olympic Games.

Ms. Jolanda Čeplak: Every single day from waking up, I had in mind my training schedule. Daily routine was subjected to the training plan. Usually I ate some light breakfast, drank coffee. In the morning at 10.00 a.m. I started my first training and finished it around noon. After eating lunch I usually took a nap, before I started with my mental preparation for the second training, which started at 4 p.m. and finished at 6.30 p.m. After the second training I did some massage (couple of times a week). In the evening I was resting at home or walked the dogs. Once a week (after 10-12 trainings) I had the day off, which I usually spent with friends, shopping or just relaxing at home.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine?

Ms. Jolanda Čeplak: Training plan is always a complex thing. Of course there are many useful workouts, but it is even more important that you do the things in the right way – technically, mentally. I could say that squating, snatching or pliometrics helped me a lot. It helped me, because before I was not doing that kind of excercises, intensive enough. Nowadays I see many runners who run like crazy, but they forget that for middle distance running power training is just as essential. Although I didn’t like power training (clean, snatch, squats, leg curls,..) so much, I still did that as planned. Nowadays I run a lot, lot less and prefer doing some strength training. I am raising two daughters (3 years old), so I have much less time for myself. With weight lifting training I can do more in less time.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?

Ms. Jolanda Čeplak: Today there are many supplements in the market, but usually I ate just regular food, added some proteins or amino acids, vitamins, omega 3, sometimes some caffeine based drink prior to my workout. I didn’t need any strict dieting for weight managing, due to many burned calories during the everyday training. It is important to eat balanced (enough proteins, dietary fibres, good fats).

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Ms. Namita Nayyar: Training for professional sports requires you to be out in the extreme weather. How are you able to take care of your skin and hair?

Ms. Jolanda Čeplak: Middle distance running means you are warming up with 5km run, you do faster distance runs (like 6-8x1000m) and other things outside. In our country there was, and still isn’t any athletic circular hall, so we did the greater part of our training outside, also during the winter, in rain, sometimes in snow. I wasn’t used to doing some special treatment, just regular use of face, hand cream, lip balms and hair shampoo and conditioner.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career?

Ms. Jolanda Čeplak: Most of my career there was my first coach Tomo (Tomislav), who was motivating and helping me. There were no role models for me, of course I respected many athletes, but the motivation was coming from inside of me.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: At the European Indoor Championships in Vienna you beat Stephanie Graf and set the indoor world record at 1:55.82. In the same year, at the European Championships, you became the European Champion. How did you feel after giving such breakthrough performances?

Ms. Jolanda Čeplak: In Vienna hall there was something electrifying in the air. Right after I came to the start of the race I felt a special energy. Stephanie was under greater pressure, she was running in her home and everyone expected a win from her. I had nothing to loose, so I was leading the race to the point where Stephanie overtook me. I felt I had some reserve left, so I pushed myself to my limits and overtook her right before the finish line. Right after the race I couldn’t believe I had won and set the new indoor WR. I got goosebumps.

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Ms. Namita Nayyar: You won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics, silver medal at the World Indoor Championships, bronze medal at the European Indoor Championships and many more. Tell us about one of the most memorable experience that you may have had at these Championships.

Ms. Jolanda Čeplak: Summer OG in 2004 were very difficult for me. After great performance and sovereign win in Munich in 2002, I came to the OG with 5. result. Many expected a medal from me. I felt so much pressure before the start. There was really strong competition and I was lacking confidence, so I ran on the tail (on 8th place). 200m from the finish I was still far outside the medal position. Then suddenly I woke up and felt I have some energy left and pushed myself to my limits, while overtaking the competition on the outside line. And I finished in 3. place really close to Kelly Holmes (who won) and 2.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding middle distance athletes who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in this field?

Ms. Jolanda Čeplak: I don’t think there is one, single way to come to the top. Every athlete should listen to them-self, believe in them-self and stay motivated. Don’t let anyone distract you, or ruin you dreams. Choose the coach and team (therapist, club) which you believe in, work hard and stay focused.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?

Ms. Jolanda Čeplak: The website Womensfitness.net is very transparent, with many useful advices.

For anyone who does recreational or professional sport I would stress out that it is more important how the training is done, than what you are doing. Be focused, motivated, train hard and results will come.

To know the latest about Jolanda Čeplak follow her on social media:

Women Fitness Team thanks Jolanda Čeplak for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her.

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All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2016 Women Fitness

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