Can you handle Gwen Jorgensen’s uphill/downhill workout?

Gwen Jorgensen is an Olympic gold medalist and two-time ITU World Triathlon Series champion.  Earlier this year she announced she was returning to the marathon and since then, she’s been putting in some work. She recently shared a video of one of her workouts to her YouTube channel, and be warned: it’s not for the faint of heart. Check out the video below, and continue reading to find out how the workout can be modified for mortals.

Post-run core work with triathlete-turned-marathoner Gwen Jorgensen

Not only does the workout incorporate uphill training, but it uses the downhills as well, something many runners may not be used to. Running hard on a descent is a skill that requires practice, however, since downhill running can be tough on the body. In total, Jorgensen does six uphill and six downhill intervals with a one-minute walk/jog recovery in between. When doing this workout, it’s important to find a hill that’s long enough for you to do the majority, if not all, of the interval on the hill.

Of course, most of us aren’t Olympic medalists, so this workout may be a little too much. The great news is it can be easily scaled down to match your fitness level, by simply subtracting a few intervals. Alternatively, you could shorten the intervals by choosing a shorter hill.

WATCH: Gwen Jorgensen’s challenging year