Anne Haug is one of the greatest ever long-course triathletes – quite simply an incredible talent. But she, like many others, started the hard way when it comes to racing over the Ironman distance.

The brilliant 41-year-old German has won pretty much every prize the sport has to offer – topped of course by that IRONMAN World Championship victory at Kona in 2019. She also now holds the fastest ever time for the full distance after a jaw-dropping 8:02:38 at Challenge Roth last month.

But back in the day, when Haug was just starting out in full-distance racing, she felt the pain that so many others have before and since. Notably on her debut at IRONMAN Frankfurt back in 2018.

Haug recounted her first experience over 140.6miles on the eve of the 2024 race on Sunday – which boasts a stellar men’s pro field headed by Kristian Blummenfelt and Patrick Lange, and a huge Age Group turnout.

Anne Haug on Ironman debut

Writing in a post on her Instagram account, she said: “What a different kind of pain compared to ITU @worldtriathlon racing. 6 years ago I did my first @ironmantri race @ironman_germany Frankfurt with no idea of what to expect.

“At km 41 i wanted to lay down and just sleep, cause I thought it’s impossible to finish. An agegrouper came to me and convinced me to get up again, walk to the next aid station, eat as much salty pretzels as possible and bring it home. Thanks so much for this survival advice, I will never forget in my life!

“Wish everyone an amazing race, a lot of salty pretzels if necessary and a unforgettable finish line experience. It’s worth all the suffer.”

Haug would eventually finish fourth in the women’s pro race that day back in 2018, clocking a finish time of 9:14:06. More than one hour slower than that unbelievable effort in Roth in 2024. That painful run meanwhile was a 3:04:32 – a far cry from the sort of times she produces today. Her marathon in Roth was an astounding 2:38:52.

Another World Championship bid

Haug has been in sensational form in 2024 over the full distance. Before Roth she had won IRONMAN Lanzarote by more than 40 minutes back in May, setting a new course record in the process.

The big target now for the German great is the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship which takes place in Nice, France on September 22.

Haug gained some experience on the course when given a special entry to compete in the Age Group race at IRONMAN 70.3 Nice in June. She finished in a time of 4:38:44 and clocked a terrific half-marathon time of 1:13:48.