Julia Gajer (née Wagner) has had a busy twelve month – getting married, finishing a PhD and cleaning up as a professional triathlete. We catch up with her preparations for Challenge Kraichgau in Germany:
How is your preparation for Challenge Kraichgau going?
My preparation is going very well. I didn’t get sick or injured during winter, so I could basically do all my training as planned.
How well prepared do you feel compared to last year?
I was really well prepared last year but I think I’m a little better prepared this year. As I moved really close to Kraichgau, I had the chance to train several times on the bike course, which is quite tough. So it’s good to know it really well.
You are now in your second year as a pro, what difference does it make to your competition and enjoyment of the sport?
In fact, this is my first year where I can fully concentrate on the sport, because last year I was about to finish my Phd-thesis. I really appreciate this situation and am looking forward to the season.
Do you prefer to compete abroad or in front of a home audience?
Until now I only competed in Germany and it feels really good when the crowd knows you and is cheering for you. But this year I would really like to do some races abroad to see what this is like.
What equipment and products are you currently using?
Wetsuit: Sailfish G-Range
Bike: Cucuma Veloz Pro, DuraAce Di2, wheels: Profile Design, helmet: Kask
Running Shoes: KSwiss Blade Light Run
You ran exceptionally well in the Munich Marathons in late 2011 – could you be tempted to become a full-time marathon athlete?
I only finished second in Munich marathon in 2011. I love running, but only training for running would be too boring for me. I really love the diversity of triathlon training.
You have spent a lot of time training in Fuerteventura – do you enjoy training on the island?
The training conditions are excellent on this island and the climate there is really mild in the European winter, which makes it one of the best places for a training camp.
How is preparation going with the rest of the team Erdinger Akoholfrei?
The preparation is going well. We had a team camp at the end of January where we trained together and had a lot of fun. The team spirit is really good.
