A two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion and IRONMAN World Champion, yet still only 27-years-old, Norwegian Gustav Iden has already had a career many professionals would happily retire with.
However, despite numerous setbacks since his win in Kona 18 months ago, the Bergen native is still working hard to get back on top and recently provided an update on his training and racing plans.
Answering questions from fans on Instagram, Iden all but confirmed that the Olympic dream in Paris is over, but said that he still has some exciting races on the horizon this year.
“Blinded by ambition and short term goals”
Having struggled with an achilles injury since last season, Iden responded to one users inquiry into what had kept him sidelined in his typically candid fashion.
“It is ‘just’ an inflamed Achilles tendon from training and life stress. Nothing really serious, but takes forever since I didn’t do much about it in the start. Blinded by ambition and short term goals.”
Asked by another fan what the best part of getting back into training post injury is, the Norwegian said it has been refreshing to properly manage his expectations and set goals.
“My favourite part is learning to set goals again and managing expectations. It’s very easy to be a world champ. The ONLY goal is basically to win again. Now my ambition is to be able to run a 6x1k slightly better than last week. It’s kind of refreshing!”
“Kona remains the main goal for now”
As the current course record holder and defending champion in Kona (the 2023 IMWC was held in Nice), Iden underlined his intentions to go back and race on the Big Island of Hawaii this year.
When a user asked if he would next be racing Olympic or middle distance, Iden said “Middle Distance” in May, but was so far undecided on what event to race.
On his current levels of fitness and where he is at in training, the Olympian said given he is only running twice a week at the moment, “I think realistically I’m not going to be fit enough to target anything before Kona, so that remains the main goal for now”.
One of the sport’s brightest talents, it will be fantastic to see Iden back on a start line whenever he is back to full fitness, and throwing his hat into the ring for Kona just ramps up the excitement for the race in October.
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