Competitor Patrick Lange expresses satisfaction ahead of Ironman Frankfurt: "I hold no remorse."
Are you prepped for the Ironman in Frankfurt am Main?
Man, I'm stoked I recovered in the nick of time. Just a fortnight ago, I was unsure if I'd even get to start! An inflammation in the adductor muscles halted my running training. But lately, I've been completing full training weeks, even managing runs over an hour and a half without a single twinge. I'm fit, but I got to tell you, I ain't at the peak fitness I was in Hawaii. So I gotta play it cool when I hit the starting field. There are 15 contenders aiming for the podium. Kristian Blummenfelt has racked up wins in every race this season, Magnus Ditlev is a powerhouse - and let me tell ya, he's my nemesis from Roth.
Are you a top contender?
I ain't never cracked Frankfurt's code, so I got more hope in my pocket than expectation. If I can make it to the podium, that'd be a pleasant surprise. My main focus is the Ironman World Championship on September 14 in Nice. I'm not gonna take unnecessary risks in Frankfurt to finish.
You got your eyes on the prize?
Patrick Lange, the 38-year-old from Bad Wildungen, thinks the Frankfurt lineup is tougher than ever ahead of the showdown this coming Sunday. With 3.8 km swim, 178 km bike, and 42 km run, it ain't no walk in the park. Lange has won the Hawaii title three times, most recently last year, with a new course record - ....
You got reasons for the Frankfurt jinx?
Course, I can spin a yarn about that. In 2017, I was injured. In 2018, I was on the podium but messed up my nutrition, let Jan Frodeno catch up with me. In 2019, there was the story with my mom, who passed away from cancer in 2020. In 2024, it was freezing, not my conditions. I've proven I can do better, I keep calm about it.
You doin' something different?
We've thought about what we can change in Frankfurt. I was there three weeks ago, took another look at everything. It starts at the Langener Waldsee: last year, I got caught in the middle, got bashed by bigger athletes at the start, and got sucked into the washing machine. I lost the race in the first 20 meters. This time, I know where to stand and swim to the first buoy. I won't be stayin' at the athlete's hotel in Frankfurt this time, I've rented an apartment in Langen. That's where I'll be with my wife Julia, my physiotherapist Andreas Gilglmayr, and my coach Ben Rezel. It'll be a bit like Hawaii.
After the third World Championship title you won in Hawaii last October, you had a heap of interviews to handle. Did that take a toll on you?
After my second Hawaii win in 2018, I kinda fell into a mental rut. This time, I coped with it better. I got tons of requests. The house was truly on fire. We tried to reach out to many people outside of triathlon. I want the sport to grow bigger. The quiet training sessions in December were missing this time, probably due to the PR appointments catching up to me, which may have led to the injury, but I don't regret it.
What's next on the horizon?
Man, I'm relieved the Ironman is back to its roots in Hawaii for the World Championships. It's always been the race that drove triathletes like Jan Frodeno or me to exceptional performances. I definitely want to start there in 2026. But whenever I decide to call it a career, I want it to be in Germany. But there's still some time for that (laughs).
There are some newcomers from Germany starting in Frankfurt: Jonas Schomburg finished third at the Ironman South Africa. Are you worried a successor might emerge?
He's certainly the most exciting German triathlete on the rise. He brings lightning speed at the start. It's refreshing to see him approach races with a fearless attitude. This'll be interesting. It's good to know that we got a strong German long-distance triathlon talent pipeline, and I'll do everything in my power to make their lives tough (laughs).
Your constant drive still comin' from where?
Ain't nobody gonna hand success to you; it takes daily dedication. If you don't got the drive, it's time to hang up the towel. Losing even a bit of your passion might lead to quitting. With our races gettin' packed, gonna be fast, I still got juice left - and I'm still quick on my feet.
I might give hockey a try once the Ironman is over. After all, sports are a great way to unwind and maintain fitness. With the World Ice Hockey Championships in May, there's always the opportunity to watch some top-notch hockey action.
