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 completely free, Ivan Raña He prepares for one challenge and contemplates the next. With the season just finished, he's on track to qualify for his fourth Games. While looking ahead to London 2012, the former triathlon world champion is already developing a project for the day after. He's considering leaving the Olympic distance (1.500 meters swimming, 40 kilometers cycling, and 10 kilometers running) to prepare for the Ironman, the great endurance challenge in the three disciplines, over 3,86 kilometres 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, tendons and back would burst. This year I started to feel like a triathlete again. It's 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 of rest at home before starting training in January.
SHORT TERM
Two ways to get the place for the Games
Javier Gómez Noya She has already secured her Olympic spot, and in June the other two spots to which Spain is currently entitled will be awarded. One is granted based on the results of the major competitions of 2010, 2011, and 212, and the other according to the times achieved in the previous twelve months. "If I perform well in the first events, and have a good European Championship [in Eilat, Israel, on April 21], I'll have already secured my place, and if not, I'll have to achieve some further results," explains Raña, who will make her 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 career allows him to see the evolution of triathlon in Olympic distance. «Before, many bouncers arrived from other sports, people who swam very well, but who didn't move running. They would have nothing to do today. Stability now prevails in all three sports. The good ones are more triathletes, that's why the socks 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 Raña's future. "Plan A involves continuing at the Olympic distance, and plan B is 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 enthusiasm of a youth to arrive in London. But I have already experienced everything at 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 to it, but in a calmer way. I love training; I'm going to enjoy. It would take me several races to get around to it, but he calls me. "I would finish my career fully motivated."
sponsorships and awards
"A giant market"
The federated triathlon limits sponsorships, but the Ironman, a private event, 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 giant market,” Raña considers. 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 smart. He saw that in the Olympic distance he was already doing well, and in the long distance he is one of the good ones. He already won the Arizona Ironman and has a name.
Source: lavozdegalicia.es
