Back to Where It Started: Chasing a New PB at Ironman 70.3 Duisburg

The next race is coming up fast: Ironman 70.3 Duisburg on August 16.

Having completed my first triathlon in Duisburg, I knew I had to return this season. It will be exciting to measure my progress on the same beautiful course around the Regattabahn and see how far I have come since that first race.

A season that didn't go quite to plan

Preparing for Duisburg has not been completely straightforward. After the course at Ironman Frankfurt was shortened, I had to find another long-distance triathlon to complete this season. Finishing a full-distance race was one of my main goals for the year, so I registered for Challenge Almere-Amsterdam on September 12.

That race takes place just four weeks after Duisburg and has now become one of the key races of my season. As a result, my training focus has been slightly divided. I want to arrive in Duisburg ready to race hard, while also continuing to build the endurance I will need for Almere.

Despite that challenge, I have been enjoying the training process. I feel like I am making progress again, and the consistency is starting to pay off.

The goal: break my personal best

The goal for Duisburg is simple: break my personal best.

Based on my current fitness and the progress I have made, I believe a finish time of around 4 hours and 15 minutes is possible. Looking at last year's results, that time would have placed me ninth in my age group and 24th overall.

That has given me two additional targets: finish inside the top 10 in my age group and inside the top 30 overall.

They are ambitious goals, but they give me something concrete to work towards. Duisburg will be an important test of my progress, as well as a chance to return to the place where my triathlon journey began.

Now it is time to make the final weeks of preparation count.