Fotos: Sportograf.com

Janine Meyer is the best of all amateur cyclists. She has already won more than 200 cycling races! At the beginning of September, the 47-year-old won the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon for the third time – and set a new course record in the process.

Ötztaler Cycle Marathon

I took part in this race for the first time in 2011. I participated several more times after that. The last time (before 2023) was in 2016. I didn't feel well on the Timmelsjoch, so my husband and I sat down in the grass. After that, I was actually done with this race. However, my husband and a few friends encouraged me and said that the Ötzi was actually the perfect race for me. So I bought a ticket and was immediately selected. My husband and I then set about planning for the race. A week before the Ötzi, I travelled to the mountains (high altitude) for the Engadin Cycle Marathon in 2023. My husband, who was injured at the time, did everything he could to make sure everything was just right: food, bike, etc. In 2023, I had the perfect day and won by a large margin, setting a new course record. I repeated my victories in 2024 and 2025 and was able to further improve my own record (2025: 7:22:32.4).

Training philosophy

As my husband Michael Meyer is my coach, I am very fortunate to have him close by. If a planned session does not suit my physical or mental state, it is simply changed or cancelled. For me, the most important aspects of training are recovery, regeneration and sufficient sleep.

Daily training routine

I train almost every day. I usually have two to three more intense sessions per week. Mondays are my rest days. I decide whether I just cycle to and from work or whether I take a leisurely hour-long ride through the woods after work (usually alone) and relax at 90–100 watts.

Annual mileage

Approximately 25,000–27,000 km

The key to success

Training that is tailored to my needs, providing stimulation but also allowing me sufficient recovery time. It is important to consume enough carbohydrates during training. During the Ötzi race, for example, I consumed 100–120 g of carbohydrates per hour. However, you have to try this out during training to find out whether you can tolerate it and train accordingly. I find it easy to consume most of my carbohydrates from my water bottles. During the Ötzi race, I only had five gels with me.

Watts, heart rate or feeling?

I've been training with wattage for decades and it works very well for me. Especially as a cycle marathon rider, it's important not to overpace on longer climbs. I used to always wear a heart rate monitor. Now I only wear it when I've been ill and am slowly starting training again to see if it might be too early. Otherwise, my pulse doesn't tell me much. However, if the watt meter fails, I now have a very good sense of my body and pay attention to the altitude metres per hour. At the 2021 Kitzbühel Cycling Marathon, my watt meter didn't work from the start, but I still managed to climb the Kitzbüheler Horn very evenly in the end.

Coach

As already mentioned, my husband Michael Meyer has been my coach for years. That is both a blessing and a curse. You have to keep your marriage and coaching strictly separate. Things don't always run perfectly, but when coach and athlete are so close, it's easy to take corrective action.

Job

I work full-time as an accountant.

My strengths

I am good at focusing and concentrating on something. Once a task is completed, I turn my attention to the next one and refocus.

My weakness

My impatience when something does not work out immediately as I had imagined. This can quickly lead to frustration.

Tips for amateur cyclists

Targeted training for your own goals. But make sure you include enough rest and recovery phases. During harder sessions and races, you should eat enough and consume sufficient carbohydrates. And most importantly, don't lose the fun of cycling and be able to ‘let go’ and enjoy days without cycling.

Winter training

I do intervals on the roller, but outside at the weekend. When the weather is good, I do my basic training outdoors. However, I also cycle to work in all weathers (but it's only 5.7 km).

Nutrition

Everything in its own time: I eat enough carbohydrates during or before hard sessions. Afterwards, I like to eat protein. Healthy fats are also a must. It's important to have a balanced diet, ideally three meals a day. I track my food to avoid my body becoming deficient. A nice side effect is that I can also treat myself to enough tasty treats because I have a high basal metabolic rate.

Recovery 

This is particularly important. Sufficient regeneration and sleep are essential!

Tips for combating age-related performance decline

I can't say much about this. I don't know how long I can continue riding at this level. At some point, the day will come.

Secret tip

EAT, EAT, EAT – don't be afraid of carbohydrates, they're not evil.