Fabian Grunwald Athlete Ambassador

Fabian is a German athlete who was inspired into triathlon by watching his friend compete. He talks to Sundried about his aspirations for the future.

Have you always been into sport?

Yes, I played football for a club in my hometown from the age of 6 until I turned 23. It was always fun, but after 17 years I decided to do something new.

What made you decide to enter the world of triathlon?

A good friend told me about triathlon and about his first big competition. I was  going to the football ground almost every day and didn't have time to try it myself but looked into it to learn more about triathlon.

What really inspired me to try it myself was watching my friend compete. I watched him from the sidelines and he got a great result. I think you have to watch a triathlon to feel the passion everyone has for the race and on the sidelines. When you have felt it, you want to race as well.

What's been your proudest achievement?

My best finish was a 10k run in Cologne with a time of 43:09. My next goal is to achieve sub-40.

Have you ever had any racing disasters/your toughest race yet?

Not yet, but I am sure there will be some in future.

How do you overcome setbacks?

I try to change the negatives to positives and push to achieve my goals. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and stay focused. Even when there is no motivation, I keep going and overcome it so that I can be proud.

What advice do you wish you'd been given before you started competing?

Enjoy every moment.

What are your goals for 2020?

My main goal is to finish Ironman 70.3 Duisburg in under 5:15.

Who do you take your inspiration from?

I would say Jan Frodeno or Sebastian Kienle are my favourite athletes, but I think the Triathlon Crew Cologne is the most inspiring group for me. I got my training plan by them, so they are a big factor for me.

What do you like about Sundried and what’s your favourite bit of our kit?

Sundried is a brand which fascinates me. The clothes are made ethically and especially in the current world, it is good to be able to wear activewear which is good for the planet. Not to mention, the clothes are also affordable!

My favourite kit is the cycling collection. The bib shorts are very ergonomic and comfortable for long rides. My favourite kit is the Cadence collection with its nice design.

I am full of anticipation to wear the Sundried race suit at my first triathlon!