Two-time ice hockey world champion, former NHL player and current hockey coach Václav Varaďa will join 8,000 other runners tomorrow (Saturday, June 13), at the Mattoni Running Festival.
He is set to tackle the Mattoni Half Marathon Olomouc, which is celebrating its 16th year in the heart of the Haná region's capital. Just like many other participants, the 21.097 km course will be uncharted territory for Varaďa. During his playing days, he viewed running merely as a necessary evil to build endurance and stay in peak shape. However, he only truly fell in love with the sport once the pressure for maximum performance was off.
"I have a completely different relationship with running today. It’s no longer a chore, it’s something I choose to do,” admits Varaďa, who was renowned for his gritty, physical style of play during his career.
“Hardly any hockey player will tell you they loved the long runs during summer training and back then, I was no exception. On the other hand, I always knew that was where you built the aerobic base needed to succeed during the season. Despite still carrying my hockey playing weight of 95 kilos, I can really enjoy it now.”
“Coaching is a beautiful job, but it’s also mentally exhausting and you are under pressure practically every day,” says Varaďa, who earlier this year coached and served as general manager for the Extraliga team, Vítkovice.
“When I go for a run, it gives me time to clear my head and unplug from daily responsibilities." The former Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators forward has been running recreationally for about three years, but the Mattoni Half Marathon Olomouc will be his first time racing at this distance. "I chose the half marathon specifically because it represents a new challenge,” explains the Kopřivnice native, who grew up just an hour away.
“Throughout my life in sports, I’ve been used to pushing my limits and this is another opportunity to step outside my comfort zone." Although he usually runs distances between 5 and 12 kilometres, his coaching instincts mean he is fully aware that putting his body through a half marathon requires structured preparation. "I tried to incorporate more long runs this year and specifically target my endurance.
“As a coach, I also know very well that recovery, sleep and overall lifestyle choices are critical to performance. Beyond good nutrition and rest, staying hydrated is key. I try to stick to what is proven to work for me and draw on the experiences I gained throughout my professional career."
He would like to finish his 21.1 km debut in under two hours and finish feeling good. "I’d be happy with a time around 1 hour and 50 minutes. The priority is to enjoy the race atmosphere, not get carried away by it and avoid blowing up at the start,” he says, outlining his strategy while expecting a bit of pre-race jitters, which he considers completely natural.
“I want to run a smart race, hold my pace and try to pick it up a bit toward the end," notes the highly-regarded coach, who led Oceláři Třinec to three gold and two silver medals as head coach.
"Starting a race like this is actually quite comparable to hockey. Before a big game, you also feel that anticipation, respect for the challenge and a strong urge to get going and succeed. Nervousness isn't the enemy; it's just part of the performance." Among the most famous hockey players to fall in love with long-distance running after retirement is undoubtedly former Slovak defenseman Zdeno Chára, who has several major world marathons and Ironman triathlons under his belt.
"Zdeno is a former teammate of mine from the Ottawa Senators and I have to say, what he does is truly exceptional,” Varaďa points out.
“At the same time, I’m noticing that more and more former athletes are looking for new challenges after their careers end and running is often one of the best ways to stay in shape and keep that competitive edge alive." The only detail he hasn't planned out – and which will be a game-time decision on Saturday – is whether to wear headphones. "Music is a big part of my life and I always run with headphones during training.
“It helps me find my rhythm and sometimes just tune out the world,” Václav Varaďa concludes.
“On the other hand, I'm really looking forward to the atmosphere the spectators will create along the course. So, we’ll see whether my playlist wins out, or the mix of music and pure energy from the race itself."
