Wywiad z Michael’em Raelert’em – gościem specjalnym ELEMENTAL Triathlon Olsztyn

You’re taking part in the triathlon in Poland for the first time, in Elemental Triathlon Olsztyn 2013. What are your expectations connected with the competition?
First of it all I want to inhalate the atmosphere and show a good performance. I have not been racing in Poland before – so it’s totally new for me. I’m interested to see the competition, the other triathletes and how the race will work for me and most of all to meet the people and see the country!

You have an older brother, Andreas. What are the best and worst things about having a brother who is also one of the world’s top triathletes?
We are like normal brothers – sometimes we fight, but we really love each other. It’s great to have Andreas at my side, not only in training. Of course, he is one of the best triathletes in the World, but for me he is much more than this, he is my brother and my best friend!

What is your favorite part of triathlon: swimming, cycling, running?
I really like the whole format and all disciplines of triathlon. Triathlon is an amazing sport. I love to swim, bike and run. And I really like it, that Age grouper and Professionals race in the same competition.

How many hours per week do you train when you’re preparing for the competition?
It depends a little bit on the race format – but all over it is something between 35 and 40 hours per week, and this takes place more or less 365 times a year. In my preparation for an Ironman like the World Championships in Kona my training is up to 40 hours a week…. Big thing, but i love „my office”

What is your typical meal before the start in triathlon?
About one hour before the race starts I eat 1 Powerbar Energize Bar, 30 minutes before I have 1 Powergel. And I drink Isoactive and Isomax drinks from Powerbar to fill up my tanks.

If you weren’t a triathlete, what would you do?
That’s a good question. Maybe explore the world, teach kids or just discover business…

You won the Ironman 70.3 World Championship. What did you feel during a 70.3 race?
70.3 racing is tough, from the beginning on. It starts with a very competitive swim part, the bike leg is crazy fast and the run is more than exhausting. I really like this, it’s like a short distance race, only a little bit longer…you do not think too much, just trying stay focused, take fluid and sport nutrition on board, observing the competitors, but most of all you i do „my race”!

What are your plans for this year?
My main goals for this season are on the long distance and on the 70.3 distance. I would like to defend my title as the European Champion in Ironman 70.3 in Wiesbaden and I would like to fight for my third World Champion in Ironman 70.3 title in Las Vegas. In July I want to show a strong race at the Ironman European Championships in Frankfurt – and I would like to be really fast at the Ironman World Championships in Kona in October.

Elemental Triathlon in Poland are going to compete in two types of distances: Olympic (swimming – 1,5 km, cycling – 40 km, running – 10 km) and Super-Sprint (swimming – 0,2 km, cycling – 8 km, running – 2 km). What is your advice for professionals and amateurs of triathlon?
For amateurs: Stay calm and don’t push too hard in the beginning. The race is longer than you may think! And for the professionals: Sorry guys, but I don’t want to give you too many advices :-)… Just be tough and race hard.

We start on 19th of May on Elemental Triathlon Olsztyn. See you in Poland.
Thank you very much. I’m really looking forward to racing in Olsztyn!

Przetłumaczony wywiad na język Polski znajdziecie na łamach portalu AkademiaTriathlonu.pl .