Sonja, first of all congratulation to your stunning performance. How did you manage such a comeback after a 2 years break? Well, I did have a 2 year break from races, but I never really stopped working out. For example I had to stop running about 6 months into the pregnancy, but then we went nordic skating until about 2 weeks before Lisa was born. 4 weeks after giving birth I went back on the bike and into the water. Of course all of this was only done under very close supervision from my doctor and my coach Susa Buckenlei from Professional Endurance Team. The other thing is that we were able to win Cadion as a nutritions sponsor. They have done a great job in analysing my needs and supply me with products like elektrolytes, protein and a lot of others. Even with your swim, which never really was your strong discipline you made quite a leap forward. Actually after the first loop it looked like you would break the 1 hour barrier this time. At the end you delivered a solid 1:01:03 and are finally within reaching distance of the other pros. What happend and do you think you can make another step until your next competition? Shortly after the pregnancy I couldn't really train intensivly, therefore we decided to use the time to work on my swim technique. The partner of my coach Susa took an underwater video and analysed what I have to change. For about 10-12 weeks I did very slow 40 min units and only made sure to use the correct technique. The other thing I changed was going to an Aquaman wetsuit - it just suits my swimstyle better. Alltogether things seem to pay off. And by the way, yes I will make another step forward until my next race. How about the cycling part. Delivering your personal best time with 5:04 you looked incredibly strong on the bike. How did you manage that coming out of a long German winter? Yap, the winter.. that was the problem... why I couldn't go sub 5 h (she smiles and blinks whith her eye). Seriously, I cycled 1 week on Lanzarote in a training camp together with my coach Susa. And I spent many many hours on my bike trainer at home - thanks god I had to do a lot of phone calls and paperwork. Otherwise it would have been unbearable. During the end of the 2nd lap I got cramps and had to take some speed out because I didn't want to take the risk of dropping out of the race. That actually cost me the sub 5 h, but considering the training I am of course very happy. The other really important thing is that I changed my bike sponsor. Again Susa from PET setup a new Planet X race team and for the first time I could ride an incredible TT machine. You cannot overlook its pink color and in addition Xentis put on their great Mark 1 TT wheels. There were a lot a people before and during race asking me where I got this beautiful bike from. On the course some people were yelling: "We love your bike!" You had the fastet female marathon of the race and the 10th fastest overall - meaning you even beat some of the men pro. After your success at the Oberpfälzer Seenlauf Series organized by your marketing manager Sven Hiendl you probably counted on a strong marathon? The race overall made me very happy, but if I am honest there was a little disappointment during half of the marathon for me. I was hoping to get close to the 3 hour mark, but again half into the marathon a few cramps forced me to slow down. But with more kms during the upcoming Summer in Germany and the great work of my physician Gerhard Haslbeck this should be under control during the next race. I noticed even after having a great race like you had at IM South Africa you are still critical. After all you only lost to Lucie Zelenkowa and beat some of the big guns. Don't get me wrong I am very happy with the outcome of the race and believe to be on the right way. But I am also sure that if I keep up the hard work there is still potential and together with my team we will work on this. Lucie took the ticket for Hawaii therefore you did not qualify in SA. At your next Ironman in Klagenfurt you will meet her and Bella again among some other very strong athletes. What is your goal there, will you be taking another shot at the Hawaii slot? They are all very strong athletes, particullary Lucie with her incredible swims. But I never really care about the others and will of course try to make a new best time for myself and if everything goes well I will take the Hawaii ticket there. Sonja, thanks so much for taking the time for this interview during your vacation here in Capetown. June 7th you will do a Middledistance race at Steinberger See in Germany before your next Ironman in Klagenfurt comes up. We wish you all the best and are eager to see you running on the podium again! |
