HYROX over 40: my preparation and experience

HYROX over 40 was a fresh start in sport for me. At 42, with two children, my business and several projects, I was looking for a new challenge. That decision became a shared goal with Lennart Sass. In April 2026, we lined up for the HYROX Doubles in Cologne and crossed the finish line after 1 hour and 18 minutes.

Why I looked for a new challenge at 42

Basketball had been part of my life for more than 25 years. Eventually, my knees, Achilles tendon and ligaments no longer held up as they once had. So I took a break. Strength training remained part of my routine. Even so, I wanted to work towards a specific sporting goal again.

I explained how this came about in “Over 40 and stressed: making a fresh start in sport at 42” (German). That article also explores how sport can fit alongside family, entrepreneurship, the podcast and Dinner im Schloss.

HYROX over 40: what I underestimated during preparation

The training required more time and effort than I had expected. I said so openly while preparing. A new challenge initially sounds like a clear goal. In everyday life, however, training sessions, coordination with your partner and other commitments all come into play.

For me, combining a rough plan with a firm deadline was therefore important. A race date turns a general intention into something concrete. At the same time, the rest of everyday life does not disappear. In the months before Dinner im Schloss, the event also takes up a lot of time.

Looking back, motivation alone does not answer the question of when training will actually happen. Anyone pursuing a similar goal should consider the time commitment from the start. It helps to look honestly at your week before taking on additional responsibilities.

With Lennart Sass: preparation also means coordination

Lennart is a Para judoka and has been blind since the age of 16. Part of our preparation was therefore working out together how best to approach the race. With many people, changing stations and obstacles, attention and trust matter.

During the race, I paid particular attention to keeping Lennart from getting injured. Even so, there were frightening moments. When he briefly stumbled, the responsibility became very clear to me again. This experience changed my perspective on inclusion. A small trip hazard is not the same minor inconvenience for everyone.

1 hour and 18 minutes — and more than a finishing time

We completed the Doubles. I was happy with our time of 1 hour and 18 minutes. More important to me was sharing the experience. I am grateful to Lennart for his trust during training and on race day. Our shared challenge also grew into a friendship.

You can find my immediate reflections and further impressions in “We did it: HYROX Double 2026!” (German). There, I also describe the support we received and our idea for another race together.

What I take away from this fresh start in sport

• A concrete goal changes your planning. A firm deadline gave my preparation a framework.
• The commitment needs an honest assessment. My training took more time than I had initially expected.
• Doubles depends on trust. Our coordination was as much a part of the shared task as the training.
• The experience matters alongside the time. The number at the finish line captures only part of what this race meant to me.

HYROX over 40 is my personal story here, rather than a training plan. My sporting background, daily life and preparation with Lennart are all part of it. They do not establish a suitable training load for everyone else.

More perspectives on sport and mindset

On the podcast, I also speak with people who know sport from other perspectives. In episode 147, Corinna Piepkorn talks about HYROX, discipline and everyday life as a mother (German). My conversation with Dr Sebastian Fromm (German) explores performance, health and mental strength.