Kilian Jornet is a Spanish ultramarathoner, ski mountaineer, and long-distance runner. He is widely regarded as one of the best endurance athletes in the world, having set numerous records in various sports.
With his incredible achievements and fascinating life story, Kilian Jornet is an inspiration to many. We’ll go through his daily routine, his diet plan, and how he has achieved what he has today in the below post.
Background
Jornet was born in Sabadell, Spain, in 1987, but grew up in the Catalan Pyrenees. He started skiing and climbing at a very young age and soon discovered his passion for endurance sports. By the age of 10, he had already climbed several of the peaks in the Pyrenees and had completed his first ski mountaineering race.
In his teenage years, Jornet started competing in ski mountaineering and quickly became a dominant force in the sport. He won the junior world championships in ski mountaineering at 18 and continued to dominate the sport over the next few years, winning the World Cup in ski mountaineering several times and setting numerous records.
Jornet’s success in ski mountaineering led him to try his hand at other endurance sports, including ultra running. He quickly made a name for himself in the ultrarunning community, winning races and setting records around the world.
Daily Routine
Kilian Jornet’s training routine is known for its simplicity and focus on specificity. He trains in a way that is specific to the demands of his sport, which requires a high level of endurance, strength, and agility.
Running
Jornet’s running routine includes a combination of long-distance runs, interval training, and hill repeats. He typically runs for around 100 miles per week, focusing on building endurance through long runs of up to 20 miles at a time.
Interval training involves running at a high intensity for short periods of time, followed by rest or active recovery. Jornet uses interval training to improve his speed and to simulate the demands of racing.
Hill repeats involve running up and down steep hills, which helps to build strength, speed, and agility. Jornet often incorporates hill repeats into his training, sometimes running up and down the same hill multiple times in a single workout.
Strength Training
In addition to running, Jornet also incorporates strength training into his routine. His strength training focuses on exercises that are specific to the demands of his sport, such as squats, lunges, and single-leg deadlifts.
Jornet typically does 3 sets of 8-12 reps for each exercise, using weights that are challenging but manageable. He does strength training 2-3 times per week, in addition to his running workouts.
Flexibility and Mobility
Jornet also highly emphasizes flexibility and mobility, which are important for preventing injury and maintaining optimal performance. He incorporates stretching, foam rolling, and other mobility exercises into his routine on a regular basis.
Recovery
Finally, Jornet places a high emphasis on recovery, which is essential for allowing his body to adapt to the demands of training and to prevent injury. He takes rest days when needed, and also incorporates activities such as yoga, massage, and ice baths into his routine to aid in recovery.
Diet
Jornet’s diet is simple and focused on whole, plant-based foods. He follows a vegetarian diet and avoids processed foods, refined sugars, and dairy products. He believes that eating a clean, plant-based diet helps him to perform at his best and to recover more quickly from his training and races.
Jornet is also known for his use of “real food” during his races. Instead of relying on energy gels and bars, he prefers to eat natural foods like bananas, dates, and nuts. He believes that these foods provide a more sustained source of energy and are easier on his stomach during long races.
Races
Jornet’s list of race wins and records is too long to list in full, but here are some of his most notable achievements:
- Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc: Jornet has won this prestigious ultramarathon three times in a row (2011-2013) and holds the course record.
- Hardrock Hundred: Jornet has won this grueling 100-mile race through the Colorado mountains four times (2014-2017) and holds the course record.
- Mount Everest: In 2017, Jornet set a new speed record for the fastest ascent and descent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, completing the climb in just 26 hours.
Charitable Work
Jornet is also committed to using his platform as an athlete to give back to his community and to support environmental causes. He has founded several non-profit organizations, including the Kilian Jornet Foundation, which works to protect and preserve mountain environments around the world.
In addition to his foundation work, Jornet teamed up with the Red Cross to launch a fundraising campaign for the refugee crisis in Europe. The campaign raised over 200,000 euros for the Red Cross.
Other Activities
Jornet is not just an ultrarunner and a philanthropist. He is also an accomplished author and filmmaker. He has published several books about his experiences as an athlete, including “Summits of My Life,” which documents his quest to climb the highest peaks on each continent in record time.
Jornet has also produced and directed several documentaries about his adventures, including “Langtang,” which tells the story of his expedition to Nepal following the 2015 earthquake, and “Path to Everest,” which documents his attempt to set a new speed record on Mount Everest.
Conclusion
Kilian Jornet is a truly remarkable athlete, with a unique combination of endurance, speed, and skill. His minimalist approach to training and racing, his clean and simple diet, and his commitment to giving back to his community and to protecting the environment make him an inspiration to many.
Jornet’s list of accomplishments is long and impressive, but what sets him apart is his humility and his genuine love for the mountains and the natural world. Whether he’s racing up a mountain or writing a book, Jornet always seems to be in his element, connected to something larger than himself.
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Marko Rakic is a trail runner and fitness enthusiast from Sydney, Australia. He is the lead writer for The Ultimate Primate and believes the best way to live a happy life is through constantly challenging yourself.
