Each week, Elite Hyrox athletes continue turning up to races and putting in times that a year or two ago would have seemed almost impossible… The sport has come so far in such a short space of time.
It’s interesting though that, having interviewed a good number of winning athletes these past few months, few of them are really trying to set new PBs or even bump themselves up the Elite rankings necessarily at this point in the season. Instead, they are seeing where their training is at (with a little less pressure and outside factors when compared to the Championship races) and generally taking the opportunity to get more race experience under their belt.
This weekend, in Karlsruhe, we saw Tobias Lautwein take the win in the Men’s Pro race, an athlete almost certain to be in that Elite 15 race, and Jacqueline Lippenmeyer, another Elite 15 Athlete, secure a dominant win in the Women’s Pro race.
Tobias Lautwein
Tobias Lautwein is a great example of an athlete who makes no excuses. He is also an inspiration to many people out there with busy working and family lives. Tobias has four children and a full-time job, yet not only is he a staple in the Elite-15 rankings, but he was the Hyrox 2021 World Champion and Hyrox 2022 European Champion. Currently he has the 6th fastest time of the season with the 58:06 in Karlsruhe.
Here’s our interview with Tobias shortly after his win in Karlsruhe:
How was your training going into this event? Anything you changed recently that you feel helped perform so well?
Training went very well in February. Except for the last four days before the race I got very little sleep as my twins got sick.
My training focus was on running, sled push and wallballs.
How does it feel to win this event in your home country with such a strong field?
That was my third win this season. Winning always feels good. I am very proud to deliver such an achievement with a job and four children. That’s a dream.
Did you feel you needed to run a good time for this race to keep a place in the Elite 15 or was this race more for training?
It was a race to see how my performance is in preparation for the World Championships in Manchester.
Any observations about the race? Your strategy, the course or your competitors?
Very impressive performance by Beau Wills. I felt the running track was slow.
What’s the plan for you now?
My first plan is to reconcile family, training and work. Continue to focus on training to be in good shape in Manchester. After the world championship title in 2021 and the European championship title in 2022, this is all an encore.
Jacqueline Lippenmeyer
It’s clear from Jacqueline’s social media that she loves sports… of any kind. Triathlons, CrossFit, OCR, and now Hyrox. She’s training and/or competing in all of them.
In terms of the Hyrox season, Jacqueline put in a solid performance at the European Championships in Maastricht a few months ago, setting a time that currently places her 11th in the Elite 15 rankings.
Despite struggling with a slight injury, Jacqueline managed to win in Karlsruhe with a buffer of over 5 minutes compared to second place, a pretty amazing feat in the Pro Division!
Here’s our interview with Jacqueline shortly after her win in Karlsruhe:
How was your training going into this event?
I had a little bit less time for Training the Last few weeks, which showed up in my performance last Saturday. Especially in my Running Performance.
I had a lot to do at work and I also have a little issue with a runners knee Right now. Because of that I also had and have to reduce the Running in my Training.
Despite these circumstances I am still happy with my Performance and to pull out a win.
What was your goal going into Karlsruhe? Any observations about the race?
Because of the circumstances the last few weeks I took the Race for a good Training and didn’t put too much pressure on it.
I knew I couldn’t go for a new PB and as I realized I had a big gap to the second Place I didn’t push myself too hard.
It was a great Event like always.
The support of the Judges and the other athletes were amazing. I just love the atmosphere.
What’s the plan for you now?
Hopefully I‘ll get rid of my little issue and can get back to more serious Training again soon.
A big thank you to my Husband and Trainer. He is definitely my biggest Supporter.