It is not easy being a pro triathlete in a country that is home to several active Ironman Hawaii champions, but Germany's Uwe Widmann keeps plugging away and he just recently finished 3rd at Ironman 70.3 Germany.
ST: Uwe, you just finished 3rd at Ironman 70.3 Germany. Did the race go as you expected?
Uwe: It went much better than I expected. My plan was to finish top ten and top five on a good day. With finishing third only about three minutes behind Faris Al Sultan and leaving Michael Goehner and Markus Forster behind - I am very satisfied.
ST: Looking at all the races you have competed in so far, which result are you most proud of?
Uwe: To finish my first triathlon in 1988. I had absolutely no experience in endurance sports. I just entered the race and went on for the adventure. I survived the swim and the run, but the suffering during the 12 km run was extreme. Soon after the race this sport became my passion.
ST: Can you tell us what you have on your race schedule this season?
Uwe: My upcoming races are IM 70.3 Singapore and IM Florida.
ST: Germany has quite a few very good pro triathletes. Does that make it tougher to get respect?
Uwe: Sure, with all the big names in German triathlon it isn’t easy. Since 1997 I had 15 top ten finishes at IM qualifiers all over the world and finished top fifteen in Hawaii 2004 and 2005. But with the other guys winning races you are standing a bit in their shadow. But I am sure that my time is coming up.
ST: What is your athletic background and who or what inspired you to race triathlons?
Uwe: I did no sports as a kid and started to play soccer at age fourteen. I did my first triathlon in 1988 and was inspired by my cousin and a friend from school.
ST: Please describe a typical hard training week for us.
Uwe: A typical hard week consists of four swim sessions, four bike sessions, four to five runs and two strength sessions. Intensity varies according to the training period. Usually there is one intense workout in each discipline.
ST: What do you do to overcome a disappointing race?
Uwe: Disappointments are a part of our lives and after a disappointment I am setting myself new goals and I try to look forward right after it.
ST: How are things going for you in terms of sponsorship?
Uwe: Good! I have long lasting partnerships with some great companies such as Deutsche Bank, LOOK bicycles, Diadora, ZOOT, Profile Design, Easton, Giro, FuelBelt, Fizik and they really help me a lot.
ST: Is there a way how the triathlon sport could be improved?
Uwe: I think we are on a very good path. Especially in Germany we have some fantastic and perfectly organized races. And if you look at other events – a lot of the IM races fill up within hours and the 70.3 series is booming. Next year the Challenge series will expand and add some new events in Europe. The people love the challenge of combining the three disciplines and that is great. What should be improved is drug testing. In Germany we have a very good anti doping program for elite athletes, including blood testing, which should be the same for all athletes all over the world. And from a pro athlete standpoint, some races have to think about their prize money. When I started with triathlons the IM qualifiers offered a pro prize purse of $50,000. Over the last twenty years everything got more expensive, the races are more competitive and sold out year after year, but the prize purse is still the same.
ST: How do you typically spend the off-season?
Uwe: In the off-season I am pretty lazy. I sleep a lot and do all the things I don’t have the time for during heavy training periods. And as we bought an old house last year I am working on the house too.
ST: Can you tell us more about your family?
Uwe: Originally I am from the Black Forrest, my family (dad and two brothers) still live there in a tiny village. In 2001 I got married to Renata, and we met in high school 17 years ago. She’s a great girl and supported me since we met.
ST: Do you follow any other sports?
Uwe: Yes, I like almost every sport. Right now I am following the Olympics.
ST: Can you share with us some of your food likes and dislikes?
Uwe: I love Italian food salad and fresh fruits. One of my favorite dishes is “Maultaschen”
ST: What about music? Anything you listen to more often?
Uwe: I listen to different kind of music – no specialties.
ST: What was the last book you read?
Uwe: Right now I am reading – “The world without us”
ST: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Uwe: 1996 Dave Scott finished fifth in Hawaii at age 42. In five years I’ll be that age so that would be a goal.
ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?
Uwe: Sorry – no secrets!
