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\u201cIt\u2019s funny to be in Kona and flying under the radar as a two-time Ironman world champion, but I really like that,\u201d said Patrick Lange<\/a> ahead of his Big Island showdown on Saturday.<\/strong><\/p>\n Much has changed since the 36-year-old German successfully defended his Kona title in 2018<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n That race ended with a finish line proposal to his now wife Julia and it was also a chance for his mother, Carmen, to fly in and see him race for one of the final times.<\/p>\n \u201cIt made me really proud to give her that victory,\u201d Lange explained. Carmen passed away with cancer in 2020.<\/p>\n After dropping out of the race during the bike leg in 2019 as Jan Frodeno<\/strong><\/a> took the title and Lange\u2019s course record, the softly-spoken Lange also overhauled his approach to triathlon.<\/p>\n A coaching switch from the experienced 2005 Kona winner Faris Al-Sultan to the sports scientist Bjorne Geesman signalled a more data-driven mindset and typified \u00a0how the sport as a whole is evolving \u2013 and becoming faster.<\/p>\n \u201cWe see a change in the new generation,\u201d Lange explained. \u201cThey bring much more speed and you have to be able to adjust. I think I\u2019m one of the experienced guys who has been able to make that change.<\/p>\n \u201cThe swimming got faster, the bike is not at a steady power output, and you have to be able to counter attack. And the development of carbon shoes was introduced \u2013 which is why I think the run course record will be broken on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Under Geesman\u2019s guidance, Lange says the training has become much more structured too. \u201cMy training changed dramatically,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a lot more volume and intensity and I think I became a stronger and completely different athlete.\u201d<\/p>\n Lange didn\u2019t compete in the St George Ironman World Championship in May after breaking his collarbone in a bike crash, which only put more emphasis on a return to Kona in October.<\/p>\nA coaching switch<\/strong><\/h2>\n