Search
shop

Triathlon superstar Laura Philipp’s new IRONMAN world record was powered by DOUBT

IRONMAN World Champion's coach says the fear of failure is an underrated motivator
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Many top athletes swear by unflinching self-belief and unrelenting positivity, but not reigning IRONMAN World Champion Laura Philipp.

According to her coach, and husband, Philipp Seipp, the German superstar’s latest feats are being driven by a very different emotion altogether – doubt.

Philipp smashed the previous best time for an IRONMAN-branded race when she clocked 8:03:13 in Hamburg earlier this month to make it two wins out of two this year following her triumph at Ironman 70.3 Kraichgau.

Advertisement

Leaving the comfort zone

But posting on Instagram after his wife’s latest heroics, Seipp wrote: “If used correctly, doubt can serve as a driver for personal growth and new perspectives.

“They can lead to reflection, innovation and the discovery of new paths by encouraging us to leave our comfort zone and take risks.

“This is exactly the kind of doubting we allowed to happen in winter. I am very grateful that this path is already showing such progress in the first races. It gives me great pleasure to be able to accompany @laura_philipp_tri on this journey😍”

Laura Philipp at the post race press conference of the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images for IRONMAN

Currently ranked number four in the world, Laura has been training hard at her high altitude camp up the Swiss mountains as she looks to build on last year’s success.

And she also admits that it isn’t just doubt but nerves too which can play a part in motivating her to be her best.

Intensity and nerves

Writing about her bike routine in Switzerland on Instagram this week, she wrote: “Slowly introducing some intensity into my training up here.

“On today’s menu was a set of hard 2 minutes followed by some longer 20 minute reps. I am always nervous before a session like this, because less oxygen in the air makes those efforts even harder.

“It’s a great test of going more by feel rather than focusing too much on the power meter.”

She’s certainly made a fine start to 2025, winning 70.3 Kraichgau for the sixth time in a row before making headlines with her record-breaking run in Germany.

Advertisement

Debut win

When she announced her schedule in April, Challenge Roth was next up on her agenda in July, an event where she is still looking for her debut win.

Philipp finished third in 2023 and then runner-up last year as first Daniela Ryf and then Anne Haug broke the world record for the fastest-ever full-distance time around Roth.

Laura’s big goal for the year of course is defending the IRONMAN World Championship title she won in Nice last year when the race returns to its spiritual home of Kona, Hawaii in October.

Paul Brown
Written by
Paul Brown
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
FORM Smart Swim 2 PRO lens close up
FORM Smart Swim Pro 2 Goggles review: can these high tech goggles actually help you to train smarter and swim faster?
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
TRIFIT VORTEX tri suit
The small but mighty tri brand you NEED to know about: Why TRI-FIT are on a mission to disrupt the triathlon apparel scene
latest News
Hayden Wilde happy T100 Singapore 2025
Hayden Wilde – is he BACK for T100 London after injury nightmare?
Sam Laidlow run Roundhay Park IRONMAN Leeds 2025
‘I’m ready for it’ – Sam Laidlow on why triathlon is hitting new heights in 2025 ahead of IRONMAN World Champs
Alistair Brownlee Olympics Triathlon London 2012 Podium Gold
Olympic icon Alistair Brownlee reveals most British thing ever when it comes to fuelling recovery
Lionel Sanders IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2025 celebration finish line
Lionel Sanders provides BIG update on triathlon comeback
Gwen Jorgensen World Triathlon Cup Tongyeong 2023 run
Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen issues last call for scholarship fund for young athletes
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...