– I had a ski year last year, summarizes Karoline Knotten to news. After a terrible cycling accident in May last year, the biathlete has been struggling with severe pain in the head. Knotten plunged headfirst into a ditch, and up again bloody and bruised. As a top athlete, it is difficult to slow down the training. And at the start, Knotten wanted to continue as if nothing had happened. But it is not so easy with intense head work, and the 28-year-old has been forced to become smarter with time. The keyword is surplus. – I should have learned it sooner, because Marte (Olsbu Røiseland) and Tiril (Eckhoff) have been saying it for years. I have seen that they are good at it, but I am slow to learn, says Knotten. Karoline Knotten, 28, born 6 January 1995. National team athlete in biathlon and plays for Vingrom IL. Three podium places, individually and relay, during the World Cup opening in Östersund. Number 18 in the World Cup overall last season. – That’s my Achilles’ heel During the World Cup opening in Östersund, the Norwegian hope distinguished himself as one of the best biathlon athletes in the world. With several podium places and top positions, she got to wear the yellow leader’s jersey. The success is far from random. She has worked closely with trainers and health teams, and found solutions that enable her to deal with the headaches. – I am adamant that I have to go to bed after lunch. I don’t sit around for too long. If there’s a good atmosphere, I can get fired up by it, but sometimes I reach my limit. Then I have to withdraw a little, stay in the room and keep it quiet, says Knotten. PRIORITIES REST: Knotten has been good at making the right choices during the week. Photo: NTB The same applies to training. Where previously she would force herself to go on a hard session, she now prioritizes rest if that’s what it takes. If he is tired, he rests. If she has energy to spare, she drives on with a good session. So simple, but at the same time so difficult. “I have to grit my teeth and “fait” my way through”, is the thought that often comes up. – It is my Achilles heel in my head. I’d rather just put my head down and do the job, than try to figure things out. It’s been going on for many years and I’m starting to get a little fed up. – But I have seen that surplus is so much better than being in pain and tired. Then you don’t get as much quality in your training as when you’re feeling well. It sounds simple, but I think I have a tendency to overlook things and struggle through, says Knotten. Had an operation to remove a cyst at the age of six. The head is the worst, but the stomach is also an eternal torment for Knotten. At the age of six, the doctors discovered a cyst in the little girl’s stomach. – I have had a stomach ache since I was born. I hate wearing trousers, I always wore a dress, because I didn’t want anything to press on my stomach, she says. Two years later she had an intestinal loop as a result of the operation, which again formed keloids. Knotten says that over time she has become immune to stomach problems. – There has been irritation and pain after that, so then it has been a bit difficult. But we have tested everything possible, without finding any other problem than that it is a form of irritation, says the biathlete. FOCUS: Knotten is known as one of the best shooters in the biathlon circus. Photo: AFP Tandrevold notices a big difference National team coach Patrick Oberegger is grateful for the openness and trust Knotten has shown him and the rest of the support staff. – For some, it can be interpreted as weakness. We have to perform, we have to be strong. But she is good at being honest with herself and takes it seriously. It will pass, but with small measures it can go faster than you think. She has been very good at preventing what may come, he praises. COACH: Patrick Oberegger. Photo: NTB The teammates have also noticed a change in Knotten this season. – She has always trained a lot and worked hard, so maybe she hasn’t quite got it out in competition. But I think that she has become even better at listening to her body and getting the surplus needed to ski fast. It has been incredibly fun to see her progress, says Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold. Now Knotten hopes to float further on a huge upswing. She enters the competition in Hochfilzen as one of the big favorites this weekend, together with a high-flying Norwegian team. – I have to make some choices from time to time, but I hope to avoid being overwhelmed. Because I want to go skiing when I feel like this, she smiles.
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This is how Karoline Knotten fought off health problems – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
