How Slážo rose to the challenge and ran the hardest race in Slovakia

Do you know why challenges in life are important? Because they teach us something new and move us forward. Slážo also claims that life would be boring without challenges, which is why he accepted an invitation from Redbull for the second year in a row and once again took part in the most difficult 400-meter run in Slovakia Redbull 400.

This race is organized once a year at Štrbské pleso and runs up to an altitude of 1,335 m above sea level. m.. You literally have to run up one whole, incredibly steep diving board. In addition to the individual race, it is possible to participate as a team and run the relay, which is divided into 4 sections of 100 meters. Don't be fooled even if it's only 100 meters, the challenging terrain will definitely take your breath away. And Slážo also took part in this relay, and we asked him how he managed this whole challenge.

Hello, how do you feel when you realize that you have managed the most difficult 400 meter run in Slovakia?

“I feel good, one day I would like to run the whole thing, but for that I would have to train a lot more. The 100 meters seems not enough, but when you run 100 meters at a 90-degree angle uphill, it's not the easiest, it takes a lot of work."

Did you feel the difference from last year? Did you have a better time? You've been preparing for this run for a while. Mentally or physically?

“Well, I felt a huge difference mainly because I thought that the last section, the last 100 meters on the bridge, was the hardest, but it is not. In my opinion, the section from 200 to 300 meters is the most difficult, the section that I ran, because it is actually on a very steep hill, so I was much more exhausted than I expected.“

„As for preparing for the run, I didn't do any extra preparation. I regularly go to the bike and to the gym, but none of us have completed any special runs or training.„

“I think our time was either the same or very very similar to last year, which I think is cool. We finished 15th out of 35.”   

Who do you think out of the four of you managed the relay best and why?

"I think that Lucka, because she ran quite a difficult section with the fact that she had a difficult route with a significant climb and in the last meters, when she was supposed to hand over the baton to me, it looked like she was going to drop off, but she made it and didn't drop out so wow! I'll tell you the truth. I was worried about her for a while.”

Was it a challenge for you? Were you scared? How do you approach challenges in your life?

“The first year I was very afraid of the run because I don't like heights and I had to run the very highest section. This year, the nervousness only came when I was standing at the top of the hill, because I looked down and over myself and said to myself: "Oh damn, I hope I can do it." But then the fear passed.“

"I take a different approach to challenges than to which ones. I always try to find solutions and ways to overcome the challenge, because without challenges life would be boring. Some challenges are easier, some are harder, but I try to overcome them all.”

Would you dare to run the entire run all by yourself?

„Yes, I would like to try it one day, but I don't know if I would be able to do it, how long it would take me, and I would probably have to train a little more. Maybe one day I will decide to do it.”

Do you currently have a sport in your life in which you would like to improve?

"Yes I do, it's downhill and I'd like to get better at it, I really enjoy it and I feel as relaxed as possible. I like sports where I don't think about anything else and concentrate on not making a mistake, not dying or getting hurt somehow. At the moment, mountain biking is my favorite sport, I'm just a little sad, that I don't have that much time to drive. But I'd definitely like to get better at it, learn some jumps and fun stuff like that.”

Can fans look forward to more vlogs on your channel?

"Definitely yes, I returned to weekly vlogs again, some weekly vlogs last a month, because there is not always so much interesting content. I always try to make sure that these weekly vlogs have as much content as possible, so that it is not boring and that there are as many things as possible. I am trying, I will keep trying and hopefully it will be keep people entertained."

As they say, training makes perfect, whether we're talking about Slážo becoming Slovakia's downhill champion one day, or how to build a successful YouTube channel, the most important thing is to be consistent, don't get discouraged, do what you enjoy and overcome the challenges that come into your life. We believe that one day Slážo will run the entire Redbull 400, learn to jump perfectly with a fairy, and that you can do anything you set your mind to. We're keeping our fingers crossed for you.