Anne Haug, the 2019 IRONMAN World Champion, just ran out of real estate at the 2023 edition in Kona, as the German finished second behind British star Lucy Charles-Barclay.
On the hunt for the win, Haug smashed the previous run course record with a blinding 2:48:23 marathon split, a remarkable time given the fact that the previous record was almost two minutes slower.
Key to that run, according to Haug, was a nutrition strategy which was less than conventional, but helped the 40-year-old race without a hitch and put together the run split she knew she was capable of.
Haug on nutrition issues
Having struggled on the run with her nutrition in previous races, the German switched from a carbohydrate-based fuel to protein following testing, and has not looked back since.
“I think I did a good job and fuelled on the bike well enough, because in the last few years I have been struggling with my Corona Diabetes, but I think I have found a solution for that.
“The only thing my coach told me before the race was make sure you fuel enough, eat everything you have on the bike and then hopefully you will be ready for the marathon and that was exactly what I did. To finally execute a good run was very important for my head as well.
Finding a solution
“I was by myself after the turnaround, which meant I could pace myself and get my nutrition right, which was really important. I really had to do a lot of tests in labs in the university, because my body is not capable of processing carbs anymore so much, so I have had to just try and use proteins and amino acids and I think I have found a good solution now.
“Along with my nutritionist, I changed all my products and have needed to fuel myself from a bit more of a protein base, because carbohydrates just won’t get in my system anymore. I’m really happy to have found a solution for that problem and to be able to deliver on such a high stage.”
Second on the day this year, Haug has now finished on five consecutive IRONMAN World Championship podiums, remarkably putting together her best performance by more than 10 minutes on the Big Island on Saturday.
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