Raña, from the Olympic challenge to the Ironman

The Ordense, who has the ticket to London on track, meditates then going to the mythical distance

Curious and free, Iván Raña prepares a challenge and meditates on the next. Just finished the season, he is on track to qualify for his fourth Games. As he looks to London 2012, the former triathlon world champion is already preparing a project for the day after. He is considering leaving the Olympic distance (1.500 meters swimming, 40 kilometers cycling and 10 running), to prepare for the Ironman, the great resistance challenge in the three disciplines, over 3,86 kilometers in the water, 180 on wheels and the final marathon of 42,2 on foot.

the balance

«This year I started to notice myself as a triathlete»

Raña recovered in 2011 the best sensations as a triathlete. Four times top-10 in the World Cup, and tenth in the World Cup final, in Beijing, he feels fine again. «After a year in cycling, 2010 was tough. I would run for 20 minutes and my knees, hamstrings and back would burst. This year I began to notice myself as a triathlete again. It is not about being fifth or tenth, but about seeing yourself with the best after 14 years in the elite », he reflects now that he opens a few days off at home before starting training in January.

SHORT TERM

Two ways to get the place for the Games

Javier Gómez Noya has his Olympic place secured, and in June the other two to which Spain is entitled right now will be distributed. One is granted by computing the results of the big events of 2010, 2011 and 212, and another according to the marks of the previous twelve months. "If I perform in the first tests, and I do a good European Championship [in Eilat (Israel) on April 21], I will secure the ticket, and if not, I will have to achieve some more result", explains Raña, who will debut in Australia in March.

THE FOURTH GAMES

«I was able to run with the legends of the past and with the phenomena of now»

Fifth in Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008, and twenty-third in Athens 2004, Raña has faced giants from several different generations. «It motivates me to measure myself against very strong kids, as I did with myths like Hamish Carter, Chris McCormack or Simon Lessing 14 years ago. I was able to run with the legends of the past and with the phenomena of now », he remarks.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE TRIATHLON

Complete athletes

Raña's trajectory allows him to see the evolution of triathlon in Olympic distance. «Before, many bounced from other sports arrived, people who swam very well, but who did not move running. They would have nothing to do today. Now stability prevails in the three sports. The good ones are more triathletes, that's why the average ones are better », he reflects.

the future

"Plan A means to continue in Olympic distance, and plan B, to prepare the Ironman"

The London Games will mark the future of Raña. "Plan A involves continuing in Olympic distance, and plan B, preparing for the Ironman." Unless he achieves a magnificent result in the Games, he will lean towards the long distance. «Right now I have the illusion of a youth to arrive in London. But I already lived everything in the Olympic distance and I would like to finish in Hawaii ».

attractive

A new discipline, ideal for a veteran

Raña, who will be 33 years old at the Games, sees himself capable of preparing for the Ironman. «It is an interesting option due to age. You have to dedicate more hours, but in a calmer way. I love training; I'm going to enjoy It would take several races to shoot me, but he calls me. I would end my career fully motivated."

sponsorships and awards

"A giant market"

The federative triathlon limits sponsorships, but the Ironman, a private test, does not put barriers to business. “In Olympic distance, either you are in the top ten, or it is difficult to make money. The Ironman sells its image better, and there is a huge market”, considers Raña. The order was fifth in the X-Terra, a mountain triathlon that is also held in Hawaii, where he finished fifth, ahead of former cyclist Lance Armstrong. «There I already made contacts in case I end up in the Ironman. People know me and know that I went through cycling, "says Raña, who gives an example:"Eneko Llanos it was clever. He saw that in the Olympic distance he was already regular, and in the long run he is one of the good ones. He already won the Arizona Ironman and has a name ».

Source: lavozdegalicia.es

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