IRONMAN World Championship
My Path to Hawaii
It was an exciting year for the towaysportswear athlete Anja Leuendorff. A successful triathlon season with the World Championship as its grand finale. An "Emotional rollercoaster," as she says. Behind the scenes of her success is the time, money and nerves she's invested.
Since 2014, the Berliner has fallen for the sport of triathlon and has become an ambitious athlete in the triathaolon scene. After the birth of her second child, she wanted another taste of glory and qualified for Hawaii for a third time.
Here's Anja on her success: "I think my success has to do with focused training, not just racking up miles for kilometer's sake. Do what you can and make the most of it. But don't overdo it and injure yourself. Ain't nobody got time for that." In addition to work and motherhood, preparing for the ironman was a real challenge that wouldn't have been possible without the support of her husband.
The race on the big island is the mother of long distances: a 3.8 km swim in rough seas, 180 km bike ride through the desert and a marathon in 100+ degrees - back to back to back. Even for an experienced athlete a huge challenge. After a back-breaking race, Anja will have finished her 14th long distance and her 3rd Ironman Hawaii on Ali'i Drive with pride and satisfaction: "A unique experience that I will never forget."