In the 1980s, Sandra Gasser was the strongest Swiss middle-distance runner before her career was stopped short by a mysterious doping story. Today, she trains Maja Neuenschwander, the most successful Swiss marathon runner, and a group of promising young runners, among others, together with her husband.

You are still very actively involved in the athletics and road running scene. What are your three most important tips that will enable runners of any age to improve?

• 2.
  Regularity: those who stick with it and train without interruptions will be rewarded.
• 4.
  Frequency: the more frequently you run each week, the quicker you will realise success.
• 6.
  Set incentives: the idea is to use a varied training program to continuously force the body to adapt and thus improve. With varied, I mean different tempos, varying durations, different routes, and diverse terrain (hilly, flat).

As an athlete, you have a lot of practical experience. Now in your position as a trainer, you are gaining insights into the theory. What would you do differently in your career if you could turn back the wheel of time?

Basically, I wouldn’t really change much because it wasn’t so bad ;-). But now that you ask, there are three points that I would change:

• 2.
  Regarding regeneration, I would take advantage of today’s knowledge. Because I would have certainly had potential. I’m thinking specifically of the various forms of therapy or regenerative shakes.
• 4.
  I would try to enjoy or appreciate the moment more consciously. Being an athlete is like living in a hamster wheel. After achieving a new best time, you are already striving for the next. Instead, you should enjoy the moment and be aware of what you have achieved.
• 6.
  I would focus on the enjoyment of the sport instead of wanting to prove something to somebody.

The sport of athletics is currently cast in an unfavourable light. The doping issue is omnipresent. In your eyes, what needs to change so that good performances do not automatically come under suspicion?  

We are really on the right track in Switzerland. There are, however, two problems: Firstly, too much money is involved, which is why the IAAF is not really doing anything. Secondly, how doping is controlled is left to each country. This means that many countries, or their associations, are in a dilemma. On the one hand, they want outstanding achievements and successful athletes, on the other hand, a clean slate. It is really difficult to have both. One approach is to therefore have a neutral control authority worldwide. This would thus raise the confidence of spectators, and athletes would not immediately come under suspicion when they achieve good performances.

Many parents want the best for their children and let them train specifically at an early age. What tips do you have to ensure the outcome is as good as possible? 

• Training for children should be as versatile (many types of sport) and as playful as possible. New movements, new incentives, learn, learn, learn.
• You should only start to specialise in running at 16.
• Parents should put aside their own expectations and never push or place their children under pressure.
• Developing the basics (basic endurance) should be in the foreground so their career is successful in the long-term.
• Choose a highly skilled trainer. Check: how many of his athletes are successful as adults. This is the guarantee that they will be trained properly.

Foto: ZVG