Lionel Sanders will participate in IRONMAN Canada on his road to Kona
The Canadian triathlete Lionel Sanders has decided to change his focus in preparation for the Ironman world championships to be held in Kona, Hawaii, by participating in the IRONMAN Canada, scheduled for next August 25.
This race, which will be held in Penticton, will be another opportunity for Sanders to get back into shape in the long distance events, after obtaining third place in the Ironman Lake Placid last July.
A return to the long distance circuit
After the Lake Placid test, where Trevor Foley took the victory, Sanders seeks to show that he is ready to compete with the best. “I'm excited for Ironman Canada, it's a chance to try out some of the new training strategies I've recently developed.“Sanders commented in his last video.
Sanders, known for his quality in middle distance events, has been working hard to improve at Full distance. Since his last victory at Ironman Arizona in 2017, he has amassed a total of 16 victories in middle-distance events, but has not achieved any in IRONMAN.
A renewed approach to training
One of Sanders' reflections regarding his performance was his decision to train alone, rather than with other athletes. “I don't think there's value in training with other people; It prevents me from listening to my body properly. I've been chasing Trevor for a while and it's made me try too hard."He said.
This strategy is intended to make Sanders focus on his own pace, something that could be crucial in his performance in Kona.
Additionally, Sanders has set realistic goals for his upcoming competitions. Instead of obsessing over the possibility of winning, he is focused on the times he believes he can achieve. “I think I can swim in less than 50 minutes, be at 310 to 320 watts on the bike and go under 2:40 on the marathon. That is within my capabilities and is what I am currently pursuing.“he declared.
In Penticton, Sanders will face triathletes like Cody Beals o Sam Appleton.
See departure list
Long-term goals and the future in Kona
As he prepares for Ironman Canada, Lionel Sanders keeps his eyes firmly fixed on the Ironman World Championship in Kona.
Their focus is clear: improve your performance, consult with training experts and perform at your best in every test. “I'm not looking for a win at all costs,” he stated, “I'm more interested in what is possible for me, given my training and race conditions.”
