Alex Hulka: 2024 Season, Ambitions, and Inspirations

In this exclusive interview with Alex Hulka, discover how he reflects on his past season, the highs and challenges he encountered, and the major plans he has for 2024. Learn where he draws his motivation, how he collaborates with his team, and what message he has for young athletes aiming to find their own path to success.

Alex, you once again delivered outstanding results this year, including a championship title. How would you evaluate the 2024 season? What motivated you the most throughout the year?

I see this year's 2024 season in a positive light. I set personal records in every event I entered. I also gained some valuable experience and managed to stay healthy, without any training interruptions.

What were your personal goals at the beginning of the year? Did you manage to accomplish them all, or did new horizons open up for you

Yes, I did. Goals that were just dreams a few years ago became reality—be it setting new personal records or taking part in international events. However, there are still new milestones I'm working toward. I believe that thanks to this season, they can also become reality.

You participated in several major races this season. Which of them do you consider your biggest highlights, the ones you're most proud of?

I took part in three significant international events, each very different:

• U20 International Match in Brno: This was my first time this year dealing with less-than-ideal conditions. I narrowly missed my personal best in the 3000m steeplechase, but with a bold start, I took the silver in a quality field of competitors.
• U23 International Match in Trieste: I tackled a challenging 10km course, where I was the youngest participant. I finished 26th, only 1:42 behind the leader, and set a new personal record.
• European Cross Country Championships U20 in Antalya: I completed a not-so-easy course of about 4.9km in very strong competition, placing 74th. While that may look weak at first glance, I was only 1:11 behind the winner Laros, and considering my average pace, this "weak" result actually carries a more positive perspective.

Every athlete goes through periods when things don't go according to plan. What challenges did you face this year, and how did you overcome them? How did those moments strengthen you, either as an athlete or as a person?

Of course, not everything was smooth. There were challenging periods, such as the end of the indoor season or right before the European Championships. However, perhaps the toughest moment was my first performance of the outdoor season, where I ran a 400m in extremely cold and windy conditions during training. Because I'm not used to that distance and pushed too hard, I fell, hit my head, briefly lost consciousness (a minor concussion), and ended up with some nasty scrapes. Fortunately, with the support of my family and friends both in and outside the club, I recovered fairly quickly, for which I'm very grateful. Other difficult times came near the end of the outdoor season when races didn't go as planned due to bad weather. Experiences like these definitely make a person stronger and more grateful in many ways.

Your training must be demanding. What does your typical weekly schedule look like during the season, and what do you enjoy most about your training sessions?

My sessions might seem tough for my level of performance, but I still have some room to improve. Of course, if you really love what you do, you don't perceive the hard work as much—or you simply accept it with a smile. My training plan is diverse, ranging from easy runs to strength exercises, moderately challenging sessions, and intensive workouts. The ratio depends on factors such as the time of year we're in. I enjoy all types of training, but I particularly love slow, long runs in the woods or specific workouts geared toward upcoming races.

How do you perceive the support from your team and family? In what way does their motivation influence your performance?

Without the support of those closest to me—my coaches and my club—my success would definitely not be possible, and I want to thank them for that. There's a straightforward rule: the more support you receive, the better results you can achieve, provided you also put in the effort yourself and appreciate the support you're given.

Do you have any special training or mental rituals before competitions that help you stay in top form?

I do feel stress before races, which is natural and unavoidable. It also comes with responsibility for my performance. I don't have any specific rituals, but I try to visualize the race in a positive way and think about all the training sessions that went according to plan.

The 2025 season is just around the corner. What would you like to achieve next year?

My goal for next season is to stay healthy and set personal records in every event I enter. I'm also planning to take part in the U20 European Championships in Tampere, Finland, or the U20 European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa, Portugal, where I hope to reach my best placements so far. Beyond running, I also aim to graduate high school, choose the right university, and get accepted into a quality program.

Are there any new events you'd like to focus on more, or would you prefer to improve your times in your usual disciplines?

I plan to stick primarily to the 3000m steeplechase combined with the 1500m, but I'm also open to other events from 800 to 5000 meters.

Do you see any specific opportunities for yourself in national team representation or at international competitions?

I definitely see a possibility to continue representing Slovakia, as long as I remain healthy. I believe that over time, my performance in international events will improve, and new opportunities will arise.

Who or what is your greatest inspiration, and what message would you like to leave for young athletes? What is your main piece of advice for fans and kids who are just starting in athletics?

My greatest inspiration might be anyone who is better than I am or who knows more than I do. From the world of athletics, it could be the Ingebrigtsen brothers, or many others with unique stories. If I were to give a message, it would be: have fun doing what you do, be patient, never give up, keep learning new things, and always listen to your body.

How do you maintain balance between school, training, and your free time?

So far, I've been able to balance athletics and high school effectively and achieve good results, even without an individualized study plan. I'll admit that sometimes it's challenging. I'm in school from morning until late afternoon, which means I can only train in the evenings. After training, I usually study for tests, often in advance, so I'm not overloaded all at once. I try to plan my meals during the day so I can train right after I get home. In recent weeks, I've been training alone after dark, which has become a daily routine. It's also common to face a flood of tests once I return from training camps, which can be difficult when combined with competition season. However, I think many people have it harder than I do. I spend the remainder of my free time resting or with those closest to me.