Between triathlon and tax advisory

What appeals to you about this extreme challenge, and what motivated you to take it on?

I originally started out as a runner. I began in 2016 and 2017 and got my first road bike through Rödl’s bike leasing program. At some point, I was faced with a decision: Do I want to keep getting faster at running – or should I look for a new challenge? That’s how I got into triathlon. I’ve now completed two middle-distance races and one Olympic-distance race. But the Challenge Roth – the long-distance race – had always been a little dream in the back of my mind.

I just signed up without really expecting much. The spots were snapped up last summer – think within 18 seconds – and I actually got lucky right away. Now I’m here. And now comes the hard part.

How often do you train these days, and how do you manage to balance your job and training?

Right now, it’s ten to thirteen hours a week: swimming twice, running three times, and cycling twice. Swimming takes about two and a half to three hours, cycling five to six hours, and running about three hours. What helps me is the posibility to work remotely. On days when I work from home, I sometimes work out before work or during my lunch break. On days when I’m in the office, I try to go for a run after work or hit the pool while it’s still open. Those are long days, and sometimes I don’t get home until between 8 and 9 p.m.

If you compare training and work, what skills or qualities help you in both areas?

I think the most important thing is the same in both cases: it has to be fun. You spend so much time on it – on training, on work – that you won’t get very far if you don’t enjoy it. Of course, training also involves a certain amount of hardship, and there are difficult phases you have to push through with discipline. But the basic motivation has to be there. It was the same with the tax advisor exam: During your study leave, you sit with the material for hours every day. You really have to be committed to it.

What do you enjoy most about training and your job, respectively?

When it comes to training, it’s being outdoors. Now that the weather’s nice, spending four hours or more on my bike – that’s really wonderful. And it helps clear my head. At work, it’s probably the social aspect: the people around you who help make the job enjoyable. And then there’s the variety in the tasks – that actually goes well with triathlon: Just running was a little too boring, so I added cycling and swimming. It’s similar at work.

Have you ever had doubts about your decision?

I haven’t really had any doubts so far, but maybe that will come later. Training is getting more and more grueling every week, but what keeps me going is the thought that, in the end, I’ll be fulfilling a little dream of my own. The training plan runs for a total of 24 weeks – and you tell yourself: I’ll stick with it now, and then the big day will be here. Of course, there’s always a sense of awe, especially since this is my first time running this distance. But I’ve never doubted the endeavor itself.

What does team spirit mean to you – in sports and at work?

At its core, triathlon is an individual sport. And yet, both in training and at work, it’s important to have people around you whom you like it just makes both experiences more enjoyable. In a running group, you spur each other on and achieve results you might not have been able to achieve on your own.

It’s similar at work: it’s the people around you who make the job and your day-to-day life what they are. Working together on something bigger than yourself makes all the difference. I think that’s also part of what makes Rödl special – that you’re not running alone.

Have you ever had a moment when you thought, “This is exactly why I work at Rödl”?

What comes to mind right away is our events, like the ski weekend. When eight to nine hundred people suddenly flood into the little village Alpbachtal all at once, it’s really impressive. We always arrive on Friday, and by Saturday at the latest, it feels like every other person there is from Rödl. But really, it’s also the little moments: sitting together by the Rhine in Cologne after work and winding down the evening. It doesn’t always have to be a big event – these quiet moments make a big difference, too.

How does Rödl support you so that you can be successful both professionally and in sports?

The ability to work remotely is a huge help. It allows me to flexibly incorporate training into my daily work routine. In addition, Rödl sponsored my participation in the Challenge Roth. After I reached out internally, we developed a sponsorship idea together. The topic of sports clearly struck a chord – there’s a real affinity for sports at Rödl. In the end, Rödl covered the entry fee, and I’m happy that my triathlon suit now features the Rödl logo.

What advice would you give to someone facing a similarly big challenge – in sports or at work?

First and foremost, it has to be fun. That sounds simple, but I mean it. Trying to tackle a project like this alongside a full-time job without being truly enthusiastic about it – that won’t last long. At the same time, you need a certain amount of discipline, especially during the tough phases. And you have to accept that there will be bad days: they happen in training, during exams, and at work. You just have to let them happen – and then the next day can be better again.

Thank you very much for the interview, and best for the Challenge Roth!

Update: On July 5, 2026, Dominik completed the Challenge Roth with an outstanding finishing time of 11h 52min 35s. Congratulations from the entire RÖDL team! One thing is certain for him: That wasn’t his last triathlon.