Read from our offer: A footballer on new paths
In the course of the race, however, Melanie Altenbeck-Zorn had a weak phase. “The third then passed me once more, although I didn’t even notice it at the moment,” reports the 32-year-old. But between kilometer 18 and 19 it got better once more and Melanie Altenbeck-Zorn saw the competitor once more.
“At the last aid station, regarding one and a half kilometers before the finish, we were level. I then put everything on one card, ignored the refreshment station and passed them. I just kept running – that was the hardest one and a half kilometers of my life.” But it should be worth it, she saved the lead to the finish. Melanie Altenbeck-Zorn only dedicated herself to triathlon in 2015. However, endurance has always been her thing. At 18 she ran her first marathon.
The impetus comes from a colleague
When a colleague of the technical draftswoman then asked her to take part in triathlon training, the decision was quickly made to stick with it. Running is Melanie Altenbeck-Zorn’s strongest discipline. In the meantime, however, I also feel really comfortable on the bike. And the swimming? “I always leave some time there,” says the triathlete. “But it’s better for my head when I can catch up than when I’m the hunted.”
New record in sight
Only two weeks following her silver medal at the World Championships in the Challenge Series, the Leonberger is already contesting the next big competition this Sunday. The Ironman in Hamburg with 3.86 kilometers of swimming, 180.2 kilometers of cycling and 42.195 kilometers of running is on the program. your goal? “I would like to set a best time,” says Melanie Altenbeck-Zorn. And that is 10:50 hours.
The endurance specialist even completed the Ironman in Hawaii in 2017. The qualification succeeded at the competition in Hamburg. If that doesn’t bode well for this weekend.
