Lionel Sanders delays his return due to injury, but dreams of the IRONMAN in Nice.
Lionel Sanders, one of the most charismatic and followed triathletes on the professional circuit, has had to stop his preparation due to a injury in the gluteal area.
As he explained in his latest video, the cause could be related to the RED-S syndrome (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), a condition resulting from not consuming enough calories in relation to the expenditure generated by training.
At 37 years old, the Canadian was having a great season, with notable victories in events such as the IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside y St. GeorgeHowever, after beginning to feel pain to the point of being unable to walk, he opted to stop completely and cancel his participation in the HOMBRE DE HIERRO Lake Placid.
Recovery step by step and with caution
At present, Sanders He is in Canada, where he has resumed swimming and cycling almost 100%.
"I'm swimming at full speed, and cycling almost at full speed," he says, although he clarifies that running will have to wait six to eight weeks.
Despite having done some light jogging in the park with his son Levi, the Canadian admits he's not yet ready to take on heavy impacts. "I could run now, but what if I get injured again tomorrow?" he muses.
Objective: IRONMAN World Championship in Nice
Sanders's main goal remains to be in shape for the 2025 IRONMAN World Championship in Nice. "If he needs six weeks, I'll give him six.
"If you need eight, that's fine," she says with determination. Still, her priority is not to rush, to respect the healing process, and to adjust her nutritional approach to avoid relapses.
RED-S: The Hidden Factor
One of the most relevant aspects the triathlete shared is the possible link between his injury and poor nutrition. “RED-S is a complex issue.
"If I've been eating too little, that can explain a lot," he confesses. Sanders has drawn attention to the difficulty of consuming 7.000 calories a day on a diet based solely on "healthy" food, reminding everyone that the balance between nutrients and energy is key in elite sport.
