Bytagand the publication "High-level marathon runner and cycling: an essential alchemy"
Elite marathoner Hassan Chahdi is at a crucial crossroads in his career. Having competed alongside the world’s best athletes and qualified for the most prestigious competitions, he now faces overwhelming uncertainty about his participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. What sets Hassan apart is integrating cycling into your training, a vital strategy for his endurance and performance. Hassan opened his door to us, and we share with youtagHere are a few words exchanged with this exceptional champion…
By Jean-François Tatard – Photos: DR
To stay in shape and recover, Hassan has incorporated cycling into his training, an approach that is essential for an athlete of his caliber.. " Cycling is good because with age I have to adapt and do less traumatic things.", he explains. For three years, Hassan has been riding an S-Works SL5, kindly provided to him by the S-Bike store in Montélimar. This partnership allows him to benefit from cutting-edge equipment, crucial for optimizing his performance.
Cycling has become an essential tool for muscular endurance and effort management.. " Cycling helps me maintain good physical condition while reducing the impact on my joints", Hassan explains. This varied practice not only allows him to diversify his training, but also to strengthen specific muscle groups, particularly the quadriceps, which helps improve his running economy. By performing regular outings of more than 120 km, Hassan develops strength endurance which translates into better performance in his marathons.
Cycling also plays a crucial role in injury recovery and prevention. By reducing the load on his joints, Hassan can increase his training volume without the risk of overexerting himself. Cycling is perfect for active recovery“, he says. " It allows me to work on my muscular endurance without the excessive wear and tear that running could cause.. » This multifaceted approach allows him to stay in shape throughout the year, even during periods when running would be too restrictive.
Hassan also uses cycling to create pre-fatigue before his running sessions.. By doing a bike ride before a running workout, he simulates the fatigue of a long run, which helps him better manage his effort during marathons. This technique allows me to focus more on the consumption of fats than sugars.", he explains. By optimizing the use of fat stores, Hassan improves his ability to last longer without quickly depleting his glycogen stores.
Cycling is not only a complement to Hassan's training, but an essential component of his preparation. Every bike ride gives me muscular benefits that I couldn't get from running alone." he says. The stimulation of the quadriceps and the strength endurance developed through cycling translate directly into improved running efficiency. Hassan emphasizes that this practice allows him to understand and optimize the energy pathways used during his races, thus improving his overall performance.
By incorporating cycling into his training, Hassan Chahdi found a perfect balance between performance and recovery, allowing it to remain competitive at the highest level. This innovative and well-thought-out approach could well make the difference in its quest for a place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The first blow of the club
« For now, there is no selection revealed but I have a feeling of injustice", Hassan confides, his voice filled with disillusionment. I was a finalist at the world championships and, in the ranking, I am the best Frenchman. » Frustration is evident in every word. The current qualification rules ignore the specificity of the marathon, a discipline of extreme rigor where each opportunity to qualify is precious and rare.. " You can't multiply your chances to qualify." he explains, his eyes reflecting the complexity of juggling recovery and preparation for upcoming races.
Hassan knew since last August that the rules would be strict. Except that I couldn't run after it anymore because I had the world championships and I had to succeed in recovering." , he said, his voice cracking slightly with disappointment. The timing imposed by the regulations prevented him from qualifying, despite his remarkable performances. Each marathon requires a long recovery period, making it impossible to achieve several peak performances in a short period of time. For Hassan, This reality is a bitter pill to swallow, as he sees his Olympic dreams hanging by a thread..
Hassan's qualification now depends on the fate of Mehdi Frère, whose possible suspension could free up a place for Hassan. It's hard to put 200% into training with all the sacrifices that it generates without knowing if I'm qualified or not.", he confides. This situation of uncertainty weighs heavily on his morale and his preparation.
Questionable rules
The selection rules anger Hassan, especially in comparison with other athletics disciplines.. " I am the first Frenchman in the world ranking, world finalist and I have achieved the minimums several times", he says. However, he is limited by arbitrary dates. He cites the example of Kevin Mayer, whose qualification rules were more flexible, allowing an invitation to the European Championships in Rome. For him, everything was easier."
The bicycle, as a training tool, also symbolises this perceived injustice. By fully exploiting the advantagestagIn cycling, Hassan shows that athletic performance is not limited to a single discipline and that regulations should reflect this reality. Integrating cycling into my training proves that adaptation and diversity are essential to reaching the top“, He said.
A hope of bouncing back
Despite this difficult situation, Hassan remains hopeful of bouncing back. Using the bike as a strategic tool in his training, he is preparing to participate in another marathon at the end of the year, as a plan B.. " Cycling allows me to maintain a high level of fitness while preserving my strength for important races." he explains. With this method, he plans to aim for the podium in New York or to achieve a good time in Berlin. " I feel like I have room for improvement" he says, confident in the potential that this diversified approach to training offers him.
His long-term dream is to race all the majors and one day do Boston again. With the endurance and strength he gains from his cycling training, Hassan is better equipped to handle the fatigue that comes with these prestigious races. Every ride, whether it’s an intense session or a long ride, helps sharpen his physical and mental abilities to take on the challenges of the marathon.
A message of hope and support
Despite the difficulties, Hassan remains reconemerging towards his supporters. I don't realize how popular I am, but I know that I am appreciated and I feel that those who support me understand my values. » The use of the bicycle in its course inspires not only runners, but also cyclists and all those who seek to maximize their potential by combining different disciplinesHe hopes his story will serve as a lesson for the future and that regulations will be revised to treat all athletes fairly, regardless of their discipline.
In partagWith his experience, Hassan Chahdi sends a powerful message about resilience and innovation. Using the bike as a pillar of his training, he demonstrates that with adaptability and determination, one can overcome the most difficult obstacles and continue to strive for excellence.
The fight goes on
Hassan Chahdi's journey is a testament to resilience, perseverance and passion for the marathon. His story highlights the unique challenges marathoners face and the need to review selection rules for major competitions. While waiting for the final decision on Mehdi Frère's qualification, Hassan continues to train with determination, ready to seize every opportunity that presents itself.
For Hassan, every race is a lesson, every challenge a chance to grow.. His journey inspires not only riders but also all those who face obstacles in the pursuit of their dreams. No matter what happens, Hassan Chahdi remains a champion in the hearts of his fans and a model of dedication and excellence. By integrating cycling into his training, he proves that diversity of approaches can be the key to success, even in the most uncertain times.
High-level training according to Hassan Chahdi Preparation and training Hassan prefers quality training and high-intensity interval training, which he considers to be the most beneficial. High intensity interval training is what I prefer", he says. To stay in shape and recover effectively, Hassan also incorporates cycling into his program. Cycling is good because with age I have to adapt and do less traumatic things.. » By riding his S-Works SL5, provided by the S-Bike store in Montélimar, he has found a way to strengthen his endurance and diversify his training without putting too much strain on his joints. Cycling contributes to his endurance and resistance, strengthening specific muscle groups and promoting better running economy. Cycling allows me to maintain a high aerobic capacity without the repeated impacts of running." The importance of the environment Hassan’s coach, Alain Calandreau, plays a crucial role in his journey. Despite the distance, they maintain regular communication, allowing Hassan to benefit from valuable advice while managing much of his training himself. I know myself better and better, so I also manage my training well.", he explains. This independence, combined with the use of the bike, allows him to refine his preparations with surgical precision. The Philosophy of Racing For Hassan, running should remain a source of pleasure and discovery. He advises young athletes to keep a playful spirit and make running a personal experience. “What has always motivated me is pleasure and playfulness,” he says. Cycling, for him, represents an extension of this philosophy, a way to rediscover his body and its abilities while remaining true to his values of respect and perseverance. By combining running and cycling, Hassan perfectly illustrates how versatility and innovation can lead to excellence. Values and objectives Hassan aspires to run all major marathons and improve his times. He remains open to new technologies and training methods to continue to improve. His values as an athlete and person include respect, perseverance and humility. |
Bytagand the publication "High-level marathon runner and cycling: an essential alchemy"
