By Johan Trygg
In December, Anton Karlsson, Lager 157 Ski Team, operated his disc herniation. He missed the entire season X but could see his teammates line up several strong performances.
Now Anton is on his way back and is longing to compete.
"I am super motivated and it will be fun to compete again. I want to win races myself and I want my teammates to win," says Anton, who won the green sprint Bib Competition in season IX.
Anton just returned to his home in Östersund in the middle of Sweden after a camp with the Pro team in Torsby. Torsby is in the southwest of Sweden, close to the Norwegian border. Both dryland training and skiing on snow in the Ski tunnel were on the program.
After a lot of rehab training during the winter, Anton started with more normal workouts during the spring. Now he is up and running at a high level again and is challenging his teammates in workouts.
"It feels like I'm back. I have received help from Magdalena Moström, a Physiotherapist, who pushed me in the gym. I feel strong and stable. I have had an inner drive to really do the work. I got a lot of inspiration from the guys on the team who performed well at the competitions last winter."
At the camp in Torsby, there were a few tough sessions, such as five times double poling up Tosseberg. A steep road about 2 km and 200 meters of elevation.
Lager 157 Ski Team roller skiing in the Torsby area. Photo: Lager 157 Ski Team.
Are you not afraid to push yourself too hard now?
"No! We are followed up well by Anton Järnberg, our Pro Team Director. We stick to our plan and this time of the year, it is mostly basic training. At the same time, you want to feel development throughout the year. I can see on the SkiErg, for example, that I am back at a good level."
Anton also says that the team athletes are prepared to take a step back if the body says no.
"When we were in Grönklitt at the last camp, Andreas (Holmberg) felt that the body was worn. He stopped and went home. Emil (Persson) was not alert at the beginning of this camp and passed some workouts. It is important to be wise and not push it. You should dare to train hard but also listen to the body."
The desire to go to a real competition is big for Anton. So far, the substitute is a few training races.
"I choose to prepare myself as if it was a real competition to get used to the routines again."
Anton is already longing for winter and competitions on snow in season XI.
"I am super motivated and it will be great fun to compete again. I want to win races myself and I want my teammates to win," says Anton.
"The goal for me is to be better than ever," he states.
Anton Karlsson in front with the sprint bib in season IX, as we used to see him.
In addition to training, Anton plays a little guitar, has an interest in finances and follows what is happening on the stock market. He misses summer cycling competitions on TV.
"In the summer, I enjoy a long workout in the morning and then watch a cycling race on TV in the afternoon. I long for August when the cycling competitions start again."
Anton is very grateful to the team sponsors who allow him to focus on training.
"Especially in these times, I am very thankful that the sponsors line up so well."
Pro Team Director Anton Järnberg was pleased with the training camp in Torsby.
"We had a great time. In the mornings, we did tougher dryland workouts. In the afternoons, some skiing and ski tests in the Ski tunnel."
"It was fantastic conditions in the tunnel. I have probably never experienced such hard and good snow there before."
Everyone in the team except the Norwegian Øyvind Moen Fjeld was at the camp.
"Øyvind was at home. He will soon be a father," says Järnberg.
Lager 157 Ski Team testing skis at the Torsby Ski Tunnel. Photo: Lager 157 Ski Team.
