Between the Assembly Hall and Triathlon Competition?

When Paul Weigand started his apprenticeship as a cutting machine operator at Koenig & Bauer in 2018, triathlon was just a hobby...

People & Professions
Read time: approx. 4 minutes

Running 10 kilometres – yes, that seems feasible enough...
40 kilometres cycling – well, there are allegedly people around who are happy to cycle that far without a battery...
1,500 metres swimming – doesn't sound like too much...

But now do it all in a row and against the clock! Most people are not up to it... unless they are born triathletes like Paul Weigand! For him, this impressive number of kilometres without the help of public transport sounds like a typical Saturday. In our recent interview, the sporting icon told us how much training goes into such an achievement and how he manages to combine all this sport with a job working shifts.

When Paul Weigand started his apprenticeship as a cutting machine operator at Koenig & Bauer in 2018, triathlon was just a hobby. But as his training progressed, he quickly realised that a full-time job was not compatible with his tight training schedule. In search of a solution, he approached his line manager, who offered him individual support for his future career in our company. With a reduced working time model, Paul Weigand has the opportunity to continue pursuing his passion. The time he has gained is fully planned: as a triathlete, he invests around 25 hours a week in his training. The few remaining hours are mostly dedicated to regeneration. 

All that discipline is paying off: Paul Weigand has already made a name for himself in the scene with his strong performances and is a member of the Hessian U23 squad, where he trains with like-minded people and has even managed to win a few sponsors. Koenig & Bauer not only allows him to work part-time, but also supports him as a sponsor  – and is delighted with every victory. But now let's ask Paul Weigand himself about his parallel career:

How did you come to triathlon?

Paul Weigand: My aunt used to take me swimming when I was about five, and cycling has always been a great passion of mine, so I joined a triathlon club very early on, at the age of six. And because I've always loved sport, I've never questioned my choice. It's also the variety that means my training never gets boring, even today. 

It takes a lot of motivation to train for 25 hours a week. What is a typical training day like?

Paul Weigand: My training plan changes every month, because my trainer adapts things according to my current fitness or with regard to upcoming competitions. Today, for example, I did 25 minutes of weight training in the morning and then cycled for over two hours. Tonight, I'm going to swim another 3.5 kilometres. So I don't do all the disciplines every day, but instead alternate my training.

Your training is really paying off! Just a few months ago, you won the Würzburg Residenzlauf, and in 2022, you won your first Olympic-distance triathlon in Erlangen. How many races do you do on average in a year? 

Paul Weigand: The most important races, for which I prepare the most, are three middle-distance races with a 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride and 21.1km run. These are particularly challenging because of their length. In the national league, I usually do three or four sprint-distance races. They are also good practice as the distances are only half of the Olympic distances. There are also a few preparation races that I incorporate into my everyday training.

With so much training, there isn't much time left for leisure, is there? How do you manage to motivate yourself every day for such a workload?

Paul Weigand: I have very little time outside of training, that's true. I only have two weeks in autumn, the so-called off-season, for travelling or real holidays. Other than that, I try to combine my personal life with training whenever possible. As many of my friends are also in the squad, we often organise longer bike rides or go running together.

Isn't it difficult to stick to your training goals? Especially when you're young?

Paul Weigand: Yes, it was challenging at times, but I always remembered that I had to be back at the pool the next morning. So I was never tempted to stay out too late at a party or drink too much. Besides, if I'm not going to take training seriously, I might as well not bother at all. I just try to do my best and not do things half-heartedly.

What is your next personal goal?

Paul Weigand: My next goal is to perform well in the upcoming middle-distance races and to feel that I'm optimally prepared. I would also like to improve my performance at the next San Remo Triathlon. The scenery there is unique, which is why the competition is so much fun - I want to finish in the top 5 this year. In the longer term, my aim is to compete at a good level in Ironman triathlons. 

Thank you for these insights into the world of a professional triathlete and good luck for the future!