Maximilian Zeus

MAXIMILIAN ZEUS

Trail + Mountain Runner

What does your standard training week involve?
I run between 70 and 100k in the preparation for the new season with additional strength training and stretching. Alternate training like cycling, cross country skiing in winter or swimming is a key part of my training, too.

Where is your favourite place to train?
My favorite place to train is the mountains in general. The feeling of freedom at the top of a mountain is stunning every time.

What is your favourite 2XU garment? When do you use it and why?
I love my XTRM Short Sleeve Tee because it supports me in mountain races and it gives me a comfortable feeling.

What is your favourite training accessory?
My sport watch is very important sometimes because it keeps me from running to fast when I’m not supposed to and I love to wear my Sziols sportglasses to protect my eyes.

What has been the toughest experience in your career and what did you learn from it?
The toughest experience in my career so far was my bad race at the Karwendel Berglauf 2015. I missed the qualification for the European Mountain Running Championships and I put myself under enormous pressure. I wanted to show everybody how strong I am but I can’t resist that pressure. In this race I realized that it is very important to keep in mind that I’m running because I love it. Since that day I try to take it easy but still be focused before an upcoming race.

What’s the most common training mistake you see on the circuit? Any suggestions on how to avoid it?
I think a lot of athletes train to much and can’t deal with the big amount of training especially when they are still young athletes. In my opinion it is necessary to listen to your body and take care of it. Sometimes recovery is more important than doing an additional run per week.

What motivates you to train and race harder?
It’s the passion for running. I learnt that it is impossible to achieve anything in sports when you don’t love what you do. Honestly I have to add that it is very motivating to see that the gap to the top runners is shrinking every year, too.

Describe your diet/meal plan leading up to a big race:
There aren’t any big changes because I take have a healthy diet in general.

How do you balance your training and racing life with life outside the sport?
As a student at University I have the opportunity to plan my day freely to have enough time to train but also to study as well. I’m very thankful for the support of my family and partners that give me the chance to train and race at a high level.

What type of nutritional supplement do you find most helpful (either for training or competition)?
I don’t use many nutritional supplements but at the moment most helpful for me are gels and bars which I use at the long training sessions.

In five years time, I'll be:
Hopefully a more experienced athlete who inspires other people to start with running.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 12th place at the World Junior Mountain Running Championships 2014
• 2nd place at the European Junior Duathlon Championships 2014
• 23th place at the World Junior Mountain Running Championships 2013
• 2nd place at the German Mountain Running Championships (U23) 2013+2014
• 5th place at the German Mountain Running Championships 2015
• 9th place at the German Cross Country Running Championships (U23) 2015
• Half Marathon debut 2015 (1:11:19)