by Larry Eder
Blanka Vlasic, photo by Photorun.net.
Blanka Vlasic is a high jump warrior. Blanka Vlasic is also a rock star. Watch the women clear 2.02, 2.05 and listen to the crowd roar and Vlasic perform! She may be at her most complete during competition.
In this interview, Blanka was very introspective. It was really during a short break in her training before she started the long drive to Berlin 2009. As a former coach, Blanka Vlasic is the coaches’ dream: a natural athlete, a hard worker, and a focused athlete. In those attributes, one may also find her Achilles’ heel.
The interview was conducted in English. Blanka Vlasic has many particularly American idioms down cold. Vlasic is quite comfortable in the limelight, and she knows exactly what she is saying, whichever language she chooses to speak.
Blanka Vlasic seems to have this absolute need, much like breathing, to compete almost constantly. That seems to be acknowledged after her silver at Beijing. The focus now is on Berlin this coming August…..
RBR: How did you get started?
Vlasic: It was quite natural: watching my father doing decathlon, I spent a lot of time in stadium, instead of kindegarten. I liked the discipline. For me, it needs to be a game. I started to be good in the high jump. I was coordinated. I managed around the age of fifteen to committ a little more. I first had competitions with my team, then across the country, then juniors, then the world juniors.
RBR: How did you get into the high jump?
Vlasic: It was not an overnight decision, it was not spontaneous. I tried this and gave myself a chance to see how it worked..
RBR: How many competitions do you do a year?
Vlasic: Up to 25.
RBR: Tell us about your approach to training?
Vlasic: We work very specifically. I do not need too much training. I want to always to be able to jump over two meters, not a problem. I enjoy practice. I do most sessions on my own, I want to break records. I enjoy competing with myself.
RBR: How is your training influenced by the needs of a professional athlete?
Vlasic: I spend a lot of time traveling. But, I live in Europe, so I train 2 1/2 months in the winter, one and half months before the summer. Before the indoor season, I trained one week.
RBR: Do you take a rest?
Vlasic: Yes, I keep my body alive (editor: I believe she meant, refreshed) by taking an active vacation.
RBR: Can you be more specific about your training?
Vlasic: One day a week, I do snatch, then one leg exercises, then plyometrics, then jumping exercises, then explosive strength, then regeneration. I never do more that one big stress every day, every strong training session, I try to go to maximum to meet that peak.
RBR: Your father still manages your training?
Vlasic: My father coaches me. He brings the training book. It is easier not to think about the stuff. I focus on the training. I believe in him so much. He is part of both of my lives. I get the experience and knowledge. I trust him completely. He proved that to me by taking me from 1.60 meters to 2.05 meters. Very important to have confidence in your trainer. He keeps my back in every possible way. Also with me, we are a team, a family, every body knows their part of the job. We do meets together, it keeps it less stressful.
RBR: Tell us about Osaka and Beijing? Both tremendous days, but there were differences: one day, you were the gold medalist and one day, you were the silver medalist?
Vlasic: Osaka? It was a good day for me. It was also a good day in Beijing. One fault: 2.05 meters. Two failures (misses). I always remember my first big medal. I can handle the pressure. There is pressure from the local press. They like me winning. When something happens, it is a disaster–they do not understand. They expect from me perfection. (Blanka was pretty serious in this part of our interview).
RBR: How do you improve or learn from Beijing?
Vlasic: I am too hard on myself. When I need to accept is that when the competition is over, it is over. I try to do a little better. Then I stop. Why exhaust yourself today? I can not accept, I am too much involved, I will try to work better on that.
I must try to relax a little bit. I want to do something for ten years. If one year is so intense, and you have lots of years in your career, how can you have good time in your life? Whatever people think, it is you who give the biggest effort. Finally, it is in my family, of course, that I give explanations–they are the most important.
RBR: Any thoughts on your competitive schedule?
Vlasic: I competed quite often in 2008. In 2009, I will do the same, less one or two. It is important to find your rythmn.
Special thanks to Lyn Familgietti of adidas Communications and Spencer Nel of adidas Global Sports Marketing.
Special thanks for Blanka, who gave us the interview at the end of a day full of interviews and demonstrations under the hot sun.
For more on the sport of athletics, please check http://www.american-trackandfield.com
