Why are you participating in competition tests?

Short-distance competitions are not only important training units, they are a performance test before the long-distance races. The more experience an athlete has, the less important is getting competition routine.

Competition tests help to provide a certain feeling and mood for the season highlights, that is for sure.

Do you have a concrete strategy or goal for the competitions tests?

Every time I attend a competition, I want to win. That is the way I’m pointing my strategy.

How do you choose your competition tests?

Important is the timing. I like to start in a short-distance race 4-6 weeks before an Ironman, like I did in Kulmbach last year. The track shouldn’t be too flat, but challenging. Furthermore I like to have a little relation to the region, where the competitions take place.

How many competition tests are suggestive?

For me personally 1-2 tests are enough. For athletes with less experience some more would be good – depending on the chosen distance. Everybody has to find his own way between getting experience and regenerating.

In what timeframe should the competition tests take place?

If Hawaii is the season highlight, I would plan the second Ironman three month before. In between I avoid certain competition tests, because I’m totally concentrating on my training. Overall the last test before an Ironman should be four weeks before.