Double threshold training is one of the hottest topics in distance training right now, with many runners aiming to replicate Jakob Ingebrigtsen's incredible success in the 1500m, 3000m, and 5000m. The double threshold method does not originate with the Ingebrigtsens, though—it was first pioneered by Norwegian 5k runner Marius Bakken.
Marius Bakken’s 2022 blog post on the Norwegian Model of training has become a key resource for English-speaking runners interested in the practical implementation of double threshold training. Aside from that blog post and an excellent 2025 follow-up, though, English-language resources on double threshold training are lacking—most of us have to make do with second-hand recaps of Norwegian-language articles or interviews.
One of the main resources for Norwegian-speaking runners has been Bakken’s appearances on the Norwegian-language podcast I det lange løp (“In the Long Run”). That podcast, which ran from 2019–2023, hosted Marius Bakken several times to talk about double threshold training.
In this blog post, I am presenting what I hope will be another significant English-language resource for understanding the practical use of double threshold training: a translated version of Marius Bakken’s two-part interview on I det lange løp, plus commentary and footnotes.
The interview covers Bakken’s personal training history, the development of the double threshold method, the use of altitude training, intervals versus continuous runs for improving threshold, and more. I also wrote up a short commentary that follows the text of the interview.
Make yourself your favorite beverage and find a comfy spot to sit down, because there is a ton of in-depth training wisdom in this interview—the original interview runs nearly two hours, and even in writing, it’s quite a long read!
