The lure of Ironman has caught Danish ITU speedster Rasmus Henning and in 2009 we will see him compete in a few selected longer races. The new Dextro Energy ITU World Championship series apparently did not manage to hold him.
ST: Rasmus, rumor has it that you are going longer in 2009?
Rasmus: Yes it’s true that I have decided to turn to Ironman in 2009. I have had serious thoughts about it, but I eventually ended up thinking that I needed to try something new in order to stay motivated as a professional athlete. I needed some new goals, a different way of racing and some new competition. Also Ironman racing seems to fit my way of life better. I have two little kids and a wife that I don’t enjoy traveling away from too much, plus I am now working part time as a development consultant for the Danish Triathlon Federation. ITU racing means more trips abroad plus a very consistent race schedule from April to October. With Ironman I can have two peaks in spring and October, and then allow some weeks of less training during the summer.
ST: Do you already have your race calendar laid out?
Rasmus: I plan on doing either IM China or Lanzarote, then European long distance Champs in August and finally IM Hawaii. Add to those a few short distance or 70.3 races.
ST: With the new Dextro Energy World Championship racing series coming in 2009, do you think your timing to go longer was a bit unfortunate?
Rasmus: I was actually ready to tell the world that I would go to Ironman right after the Games, but since the ITU announced the new series, I had doubts and had to wait for their final announcement, which came recently, before I could make up my mind entirely. I do believe, however, that you have to follow your heart, and my heart to me to change focus now. No matter how attractive the World Series may look.
ST: Along those lines, Jan Frodeno was recently asked by a German magazine Bild about racing Ironman, and he laughed it off saying "Mostly failed short course triathletes compete at Ironman." Your thoughts?
Rasmus: I think Jan is right in saying that many short course athletes could become great Ironmen, whereas I don’t see it happening the opposite way. Short course racing is a lot harder to become good at, since it has some requirements that are difficult to learn, that is swimming fast enough and having the ability to run sub 31mins off the bike, plus all the tactical and technical elements. I believe that the requirements for Ironman, most athletes are able to build up through consistent training over a long period of time. I don’t see myself as a failed short course athlete, nor do I think that guys and girls like Macca, Craig Alexander, Michellie Jones or Leanda Cave are. Maybe the difference is that they (and myself hopefully) have the potential to make it all the way to the top in Ironman.
ST: What kind of bike setup will you have for your Ironman adventures?
Rasmus: I am not sure yet. I had a great offer from a bike company, but unfortunately they had to withdraw their offer because of the financial crisis. Now I am looking for another bike sponsor.
ST: Do you have any concerns about long course nutrition?
Rasmus: Not really. I raced Ironman twice in 2000 and 2001 and had no problems nutrition wise, so I am pretty sure I’ll be ok. Obviously I will have to be concerned about the heat factor in Hawaii and what effects that has on my nutrition.
ST: Any sponsorship news in your world?
Rasmus: The only thing I know for sure is that my Nutrition Sponsor Maxim follows me to Ironman, but apart from that nothing has been concluded yet. I am open to suggestions.
ST: Is there anything else we should know?
Rasmus: Perhaps that through my work for the Danish Triathlon Federation, I am building up a base of triathlon talent, ready to take on the world in 5-10 years time. It is a great thing to be able to make use of all my experiences as an athlete, and try to transform those into young athletes.
