Vanessa Herzog is an Austrian speed skater. She competed at the 2013 World Sprint Championships in Salt Lake City, and at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Herzog is the current holder of the Austrian records in the 500, 1000 and 1500 meters. Vanessa Herzog is among the world’s leading speed and inline speed skaters and one of a very few athletes, who is world champion on both, blades and wheels.
Vanessa Herzog Medal record: Women’s speed skating
World Single Distances Championships
Gold medal – first place 2019 Inzell 500 m
Silver medal – second place2019 Inzell 1000 m
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 2018 Kolomna 500 m
Gold medal – first place 2019 Collalbo Sprint
Silver medal – second place2018 Kolomna1000 m
Silver medal – second place 2020 Heerenven500 m
Bronze medal – third place 2018 KolomnaMass start
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Vanessa Herzog Speed skate& Inline World Champion here she talks about her fitness routine, her diet, her beauty secrets and her success story.
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in Innsbruck, Austria. Your love for Speed skating sports started early in life. You took part in 5000 meters event Olympia Eisstadion, Innsbruck in 2012 and later you won your first Gold medal in 500 meters World Single Distances Championships at Inzell in 2019. This later propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world as a Speed skater and winning one Gold, one Silver in World Single Distances Championships in 2019. Tell us more about your journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance?
Vanessa Herzog:
My cousin took me to the nearby ice rink in Innsbruck, when I was 5 years old. I remember that very afternoon having a lot of fun. For Christmas I got my first skates and was very proud. Within some months I started at my first event and won it. This continued for many years in Austria.
When I was a little bit older I participated at the famous Viking race in Heerenveen, the Netherlands. I had a lot of fun meeting young athletes from all over the world and won some races there as well. Years went by and I started to enojy the increased training sessions even more and decided for myself to become a professional athlete when I was 15 years old. I joined the Austrian army when I was 18 years old and the supported me ever since then.
Speed skating is a tough sport, when things are not going well, which happened to me from 2015 to 2016. I did not see any progress chances in Austria anymore so I joined a Dutch professional team and … things got worse. I could not improve anymore and wanted to quit my career seeing no chance at all to get back on a podium although I was training harder than ever before.
So I set down with my husband and we discussed our options. The only fact we knew was that my husband should not become my coach. He was a tennis and skiing coach during his study but had no experience with speed skating.
And as life is always full of surprises we nevertheless tried it and started to have fun in training again and started a very successful period which led me to the point I am now. Ever since we tried it he accompanies me for every single training and we spend 24/7 together, which is our secret of success.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
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 © 2021 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
You have won two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal in the European Championships over the years. Tell us more about your experience of these spectacular exceptional achievements?
Vanessa Herzog:
I do remember when I won my first international title in Kolomna, Russia becoming European champion in 2018. I was in very good shape and hammered a fast time on the ice but was still unsure if this will be enough to be on top after the remaining pairs.
So I crossed the finish line and passed by my husband Tom, standing on the crossing straight and he whispered to me when I was passing by: “congrats champ, this is your first title, since noone can beat this time. The day after I won silver in the 1.000m and so we decided that just for fun I shall participate in mass start, which is unusual for a sprinter. And I won bronze and completed my full set of medals. Right before the Olympics in Pyeongchang 2018 this was the motivation boost I have hoped for.
Namita Nayyar:
You have won one Gold in 500m, one Silver in 1000m World Single Distances Championships in 2019. How do you manage such a remarkable achievement and which of these wins is most dear to your heart and why?
Vanessa Herzog:
For years Tom and I had prepared for these world championships in Inzell, which is our training base. We spend nearly 1/3 of our time in this stadium; love the ice, the region of Chiemgau and the people. When the season 2018/19 started I was in good shape from the beginning on, but I just could not beat Nao Kodaira, the Japanese Olympic champion and not beaten since 2016 on the 500m. With every world cup race I came closer to Nao, which is additionally a very good friend of mine and a sports person that I really adore. The last race before Inzell was in Hamar, Norway and I was super-fast but still Nao won. Tom told me after the race: You will see next week in Inzell we will be at our home track, which is a little bit narrower than others and while Nao will have some problems you will skate at your very best.
When we left for the rink Tom stopped me and showed me an envelope and said: I have written down the time you will do today and did not show my by then.
The 500m were the best race of my career; I broke the track record and became world champion in 37.11. I could not believe that I had finally reached the goal of my career. We had a long media day and when coming back to the hotel I opened the envelope to see what Tom has guessed and he was very close: 37.12
Next day I was still in a flow and became 2nd in the 1.000m. I do not remember this race entirely since I was still overwhelmed. It were the first medals for Austria in speed skating since 25 years and my success was very much appreciated in Austria, when I was later honored as “Athlete of the year 2019” in Austria.
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Vanessa Herzog:
Ever since my husband is coaching me, he integrated a lot of different trainings in my program, so our weekly routine consists of:
2 sessions in the gym, mostly all varieties of squats combined with core and upper body exercises
2 track and field sessions with hurdle, mobility and sprints
3-4 times speedskating or inline speed skating
1 time jump program
3-4 times 90-150 minutes on the race or mountain bike
1-2 sessions of swimming, running or hiking
Namita Nayyar:
What is your fitness routine in such pandemic times?
Vanessa Herzog:
The pandemic was a big change for everyone, for us as well. We had to do a lot of trainings at home at our farm, where I could do gym in our cellar, running at our grounds, and slide board in our living room. We had to compromise a lot, but were still far luckier than so many other people, who suffered tremendously from Covid-19.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you train your abs? One secret to your toned body.
Vanessa Herzog:
We are doing abs training 3-4 times a week with a set of 15 different exercises. Since I had a disc prolapse recently we are always stabilizing the back, lower back and the whole muscle complex around, which is very important to do, once you have strong abs. Balance is the key to a healty and well functional body.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Vanessa Herzog:
I get a weekly plan from my nutrition advice or more exact Tom gets it since he is cooking most of the time for us. I also love to cook but only if I have enough time during training sessions. The plan is quite advanced but to break it down to some rules it’s:
- Carbs when doing endurance
- Protein when doing power and strength especially gym
- Intermediate fasting on rest days
- One light cheat day per week
Namita Nayyar:
Five foods you absolutely love and five you keep to a minimum.
Vanessa Herzog:
In general the ones I really love are the ones I have to keep to a minimum:
Pancakes, pizza, pasta and chocolate
I also love and are allowed to eat:
Fresh fish from the regional rivers
Fresh vegetables from our garden
Fruits from our trees
A good steak from the grill
Quinoa with vegetables or scampi
All sort of rice with chicken stripes
Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your hair care and skincare routine. What special care do you take for both during extreme winter weather?
Vanessa Herzog:
I do not spend too much time with my hair since time is a limiting factor in an athlete’s life so I try to keep it simple: I wash my hair daily and cleanse it bi-weekly. I also condition it weekly. When I have some free time I apply a deep conditioner and style it myself.
My skincare routine is also very straight forward. I believe in cleansing, moisturizing, Vitamin C complex and sun protection. I use a special Norwegian cream when we are outdoor and the temperature is below -20°C.
Namita Nayyar:
Five skincare myths
Vanessa Herzog:
Only the face needs skincare.
Skincare once week is enough.
You only need skincare when you are at a certain age.
Expensive products are the best.
Sun protection is not needed when it’s a cloudy day.
Namita Nayyar:
Five athletic leisure brands you love to wear
Vanessa Herzog:
Nike
Adidas
On-shoes
Craft
Salomon
Namita Nayyar:
Five travel destinations on your wish list.
Vanessa Herzog:
Macchu Pichu, Peru
Iceland
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Mount Everest
Etosha Pan, Namibia
Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding Speed Skaters, who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in the field of Speed Skating?
Vanessa Herzog:
There is always a path to success once you believe in your own strength. Be active, motivated and learn from your missteps.
Namita Nayyar:
A message for your Instagram followers.
Vanessa Herzog:
Thanks to all my followers and supporters. I like to share my life with you and your inspirational messages and comments enlighten my days. If I can inspire my followers as well it makes me happy. If only one out of my followers reached a goal because I inspired him is a motivation to share some more on social media.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and the message for its visitors?
Vanessa Herzog:
I am living me dream and in paradise because I have fought hard and never gave up. This shall be a hint for everyone following such stories that everything is possible if you work hard for it. Women Fitness highlights the life of so many inspiring and outstanding persons and is an icon of health and fitness. I enjoy reading these stories and also the tips for a more healthy life.
Vanessa Herzog Social Media Presence
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/vanessa.herzog/
Official Website : https://www.vanessaherzog.com/
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 © 2021 Women Fitness