Marina Leboso, heading to Hawaii Ironman

In the past IM of Frankfurt was proclaimed champion of Europe Ironman in the age group 25-29

Marina has 25 years, is a doctor and lives in Madrid. In the past IM of Frankfurt was proclaimed champion of Europe Ironman in the age group 25-29. We wanted to talk with her to get to know her a little better and to tell us how the competition was in Germany.

Hello Marina, what's up? First congratulations for your carrerón in Frankfurt, the truth is a joy to see that this year you will be more Spanish in Hawaii than in previous years

Good morning thank you very much. The truth is that I am very happy for this great career that I could do in the Cto. of IM Europe

Frankfurt was your long distance debut, when did you start practicing triathlon?

I have always done a lot of sport but never any of the three disciplines that make up the triathlon. I played in team sports like basketball but when I got to the university I had little time and I could not train, so I decided to sign up for a gym, where I met a group of friends who were getting started in triathlon, I encouraged myself to try and debut in Valencia in super sprint distance (with a borrowed bike, it was the first time I got on a road bike).

What is your favorite distance and why? Which segment do you like the most? Swimming, cycling or running on foot Why?

The half ironman, because I like long distances, where you can make strategies and even change them during the race itself and you have enough time to stop and enjoy what you are doing. Undoubtedly swimming is my weak point, however, this year I have let myself technically advise by Mario Cañizares, Elite Next Level, who has managed to enjoy this segment. Even so, where I really feel alive is on the bike and on foot, I suppose partly because they are my strengths but also because I enjoy training with the group or with my boyfriend.

How is it usually a training day combining them with work?

It's not hard for me to get up early so I try to "take off" the workouts first thing in the morning. When I have to fold, I have no choice but to do it first thing and at the last minute. And on many occasions I have had to draw strength from where there was not to pedal, run or swim after more than 24 hours without sleep. 

Where are you train? Who is responsible for your preparation? Who are your main sponsors?

Due to my profession I train practically alone. I swim in a pool near my house that opens at 6:00 am, which is the time I can. The race and the bike where you can! I always wear slippers in the car because of what might happen. My coach is Oliver de la Fuente and I sponsor TOMTOM.

Marina Leboso

How was your way to Frankfurt? What triathlons have you run and how were you in them?

Buff… it wasn't easy at all. I have had to combine it with many guards in the Hospital, trips to Peru to visit my boyfriend and cold, very cold! But in the end, with perseverance and determination, everything is achieved. I did two medium distance triathlons before the Ironman. The middle of Seville and the middle of Salamanca. I did very well in both as I won not only in my category but in the overall female category.

About the Frankfurt race ... tell us a little bit about how it was

Frankfurt was my debut in IM. It was a very tough race due to the high temperatures we had that day. We had to run with more than 40 degrees !! Going by parts, the water was calm since it was swimming in a lagoon. Typical exit where you take about 300 meters to find your space and be able to swim as you know.

Due to the high temperatures they forbade the neoprene but still I left in the time I had calculated (1: 09). The bike started well, the first stages were very fast and time went along, I felt strong and was fully complying with my race strategy. Eating and drinking in the kms I had planned. The temperature began to change, the sun began to hit and if we add the fatigue that was already accumulating made the last 80 kms were hard.

I concentrated on drinking more than planned and managing my legs well for what was coming in the race. I got off the bike in 5: 24, below what I had expected. That added to the great support I had during the entire career of my parents, family members with whom I went to compete and my boyfriend made the 42kms started tired but very motivated.

Marina Leboso

The race was 4 turns of 10kms. The sun was hellish and I saw that people were falling one after the other. I concentrated on running at my own pace, drinking and eating without having to leave anything on the road. In the 2 spin they sang to me that I was going first and they told me that the 2 was behind 4 minutes, so I kept the pace and concentrated on keeping that margin.

The last turn was a torture, the asphalt burned, the body was not cooled by many wet sponges that put, but see my parents, people cheering, my boyfriend running from one side to another marking the time and think In all the sacrifices I had to make to be there, they gave me wings to finish the last few kilometers and to hear the commentator say ...Marina You are an IRONMAN !!! 

I want to thank my coach Oliver de la Fuente, my colleagues, my parents and my boyfriend for all the support they have given me these months. Without them this would not have been possible.

And now to Hawaii !!! Although it is a bit early, how do you prepare the trip? Do you have a sponsor to help you with the expenses?

I'm still in the phase of assimilating what happened. This week I have started to plan the trip, trainings, etc. There are many things that must be organized, looking for a house, flights, material ...

My main and only sponsor so far is TOMTOM, they have helped me a lot. I do not have any more sponsors or help, so to see if now with the classification for Kona I can get some brand interested in me and give me a hand. Nutrition products, sneakers, wetsuits, bicycles, wheels, competitive clothing and training, etc ... welcome everyone hahaha.

Thank you very much for the interview to www.triatlonnoticias.com We hope that readers can get to know you a little better, to see if a sponsor also gives you a hand and a lot of encouragement for Hawaii.

Many thanks to you. I hope to be able to tell you about my experience in Kona later on.

Marina Leboso

Here you have the doors always open, although before Hawaii we will surely do some special of all the Spaniards who are going to go there to run

Great, count me! Thank you for supporting both the women's triathlon and the age groups. Greetings to all the followers of the page www.triatlonnoticias.com

Juan José Martí Navio @ jjnavio

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