After winning the Ironman World Championship here in Kona in 2022, things have been anything but easy for Norway’s Gustav Iden. The two-time Ironman 70.3 world champion lost his mother in 2023 and has also struggled with an Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him for a long time.
He returned to racing in 2024, but it’s been a long journey back, and he’s not at the same level he was in 2022. Which means Iden arrives here in Kona with a new mindset.
“The hard part is done now,” Iden said in an interview yesterday. “I have adjusted the expectations going into the race. Two months ago I was more confident because I saw there was time to improve, but it takes time to get back on track, and time has been running out the last month. I had hoped for one breakthrough session that was going to make me believe, but I didn’t get it.”
“There’s nothing more you can do now, so it’s time to relax and do what you can with what you have been given,” he continued.
In case you’re thinking that he’s possibly holding back and is fitter than he’s making out, when asked about a unexpected great day he said: “It would be cool, but that’s showing that maybe I am just a talent.”
“If I end up having a dream performance, what I’ve been doing in training is not enough to justify the performance,” he continued. “I do hope the race reflects my training.”
So has the last two years provided shown him that he really does love the sport and what he’s doing?
“It has shown me that it’s harder to be at the top than I thought before,” he said. “I have a new added respect for the people who are able to perform year in a year out. The love for the sport and the love for my competitors has definitely grown.”
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