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An ordinary star might have descended into a long slump, but not Ryf, as she confidently reports a full recovery and sounds eager for battle with Ironman World Championship women's race record holder Carfrae and other top rivals Melisa Hauschildt, Jodie Swallow and Heather Jackson.
ST: Why did you choose to go to Roth - not a Kona qualifier - when your race at Ironman Frankfurt went south?
Daniela Ryf: For me it was important to do a race I enjoy, a race I like. It was a race that was always on my bucket list. That's why I decided to do it. I am really glad. It was a challenge because I had to do both races on order to qualify for Kona.
ST: Were you hoping to break Chrissie's Iron-distance world best time - 8:18? You were just 4 minutes off.
Daniela: I was not trying to do that at all. I didn’t think I could go that close to Chrissie [She] is amazing. She is a legend. What she achieved is pretty incredible. That I could go that close to what she did was a big surprise for me and it made me very proud. And to see her there to congratulate me and talking to her was for me very emotional. It was a day I will never forget.
ST: Why did you choose to go to Roth - not a Kona qualifier - when your race at Ironman Frankfurt went south?
Daniela Ryf: For me it was important to do a race I enjoy, a race I like. It was a race that was always on my bucket list. That's why I decided to do it. I am really glad. It was a challenge because I had to do both races on order to qualify for Kona.
ST: Were you hoping to break Chrissie's Iron-distance world best time - 8:18? You were just 4 minutes off.
Daniela: I was not trying to do that at all. I didn’t think I could go that close to Chrissie [She] is amazing. She is a legend. What she achieved is pretty incredible. That I could go that close to what she did was a big surprise for me and it made me very proud. And to see her there to congratulate me and talking to her was for me very emotional. It was a day I will never forget.
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ST: How did you go 8:51:50 one week later at Ironman Switzerland - not an easy course?
Daniela: I just did it. CHUCKLES.
ST: Were you tired from all those races when you went 4th at Ironman 70.3 Worlds?
Daniela: Well I don’t know. My legs definitely didn't feel great at Mooloolaba. I am not sure that was the reason. After that of course I did quite a bit of work with massage and everything to make my legs even a bit better. I have been better since then. Much better. Otherwise I was surprised I recovered fairly well. A few days later I could train again and run again. So it didn't feel like it broke me. It felt like it made me stronger. Just had to loosen it up first.
Ironman Pro Press Conference moderator: A few weeks ago at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship you were there favorite as the defending champion. But it didn't quite go according to plan. Was that just a clever poker move on your part?
Daniela: No I would never do that. I gave my best on that day and it was a day not to forget. It was a day I actually learned more than maybe the year when I won. It happens often from the days that don’t go perfectly. One thing I am taking away from that race is that on the bike I tried to push but my legs wouldn't go. I didn’t think you could really win the race on the run. So I wouldn't try. That was a big mistake. In my head I gave up a bit. Yeah I will never do that again.
ST: Any regrets at losing a chance at a second Million Dollar payday?
Daniela: No not at all. I gave it a try. Yeah I won it once last year. Next year is another year. So I am very happy with my situation. I couldn’t be more grateful for what I could achieve last year and also this year.
Daniela: I just did it. CHUCKLES.
ST: Were you tired from all those races when you went 4th at Ironman 70.3 Worlds?
Daniela: Well I don’t know. My legs definitely didn't feel great at Mooloolaba. I am not sure that was the reason. After that of course I did quite a bit of work with massage and everything to make my legs even a bit better. I have been better since then. Much better. Otherwise I was surprised I recovered fairly well. A few days later I could train again and run again. So it didn't feel like it broke me. It felt like it made me stronger. Just had to loosen it up first.
Ironman Pro Press Conference moderator: A few weeks ago at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship you were there favorite as the defending champion. But it didn't quite go according to plan. Was that just a clever poker move on your part?
Daniela: No I would never do that. I gave my best on that day and it was a day not to forget. It was a day I actually learned more than maybe the year when I won. It happens often from the days that don’t go perfectly. One thing I am taking away from that race is that on the bike I tried to push but my legs wouldn't go. I didn’t think you could really win the race on the run. So I wouldn't try. That was a big mistake. In my head I gave up a bit. Yeah I will never do that again.
ST: Any regrets at losing a chance at a second Million Dollar payday?
Daniela: No not at all. I gave it a try. Yeah I won it once last year. Next year is another year. So I am very happy with my situation. I couldn’t be more grateful for what I could achieve last year and also this year.
