We're excited to share that our sponsorship of the Triathlon Team Braunschweig has been extended! We continue to take great pride in supporting their journey and commitment to excellence, especially since some of our own team members are part of the team.
Our colleague Erik Bloß is a software developer at smartmicro and a passionate triathlete, as well as a member of the Triathlon Team Braunschweig. In this interview, he shares insights into his athletic journey, his approach to balancing training with his professional life, and how the skills he develops as an athlete can enhance his work in software development.
1. Can you tell us a bit about how you got into triathlon? What inspired you to take up this sport?
I started triathlon in 2012 while I was still in school. Since I had to give up rowing, I needed a new sport to stay at my school. I had already considered triathlon before, but the opportunity hadn’t really come up until then. One thing led to another, and I ended up in the sport (and haven’t really left since). After school, I had a bit of a motivational dip and took a one-year break – but during my studies I joined a new club here in Braunschweig. What I particularly enjoy about triathlon is its variety – even if I’m not enjoying one discipline so much, there are still two others to keep things interesting.
2. How do you manage to balance your training schedule with your work at smartmicro? Any strategies that help you juggle both?
Running, in particular, integrates really well into the workday: it doesn’t take too long and only requires running gear. A few of us colleagues regularly head out during (extended) lunch breaks to clear our minds. Since we have showers at the office, it’s really easy to fit in a run. Especially in winter, it gives me the chance to get a few minutes of daylight – otherwise, I’d arrive and leave in the dark. Cycling and swimming are mostly reserved for after work or weekends.
3. What skills or qualities that you've developed as an athlete help you in your role as a software developer?
I’d say primarily structure. On one hand, for general time management – to organize my day and realistically estimate what’s possible and what’s not. On the other hand, structured thinking really helps with problem-solving – especially with big issues that can’t be solved at a glance. A structured approach and breaking down problems into manageable parts is a huge advantage.
To draw a triathlon analogy: before a race, you first assess the overall situation – how long are the individual sections? Which buoys do I need to swim around? Where are the sharp turns on the bike course? Are there stairs on the run? How many laps of each do I need to complete? Once the key questions are answered, you can tackle each part – starting with swimming. Even if you have the best bike, it won’t help you during the swim. It’s the same with work problems – having great tools only helps if you use them in the right place, otherwise, they may even be a hindrance.
4. How does smartmicro’s sponsorship of the Triathlon Team Braunschweig impact you and your teammates?
The sponsorship allows us, for example, to travel together as a team to more distant league races. We rent a minibus to take all the athletes and bikes at once. If the competition is very far away, the club can also afford overnight stays thanks to the sponsorship. That’s especially helpful for the students in our team when we can ease the financial burden a bit. Traveling together also strengthens the team spirit – it’s great to experience the races as a unit.
5. What goals do you have for your future in triathlon? Are there any specific races or milestones you're aiming for?
Having fun with the sport is definitely my top priority nowadays. Maybe one day a long-distance race (commonly known as Ironman) could be a goal – but that’s still far off. It requires serious preparation and a lot of training time.
I’ve also taken on more organizational responsibilities within the club over the years – conducting sponsor interviews, organizing lifeguard training, or helping to run the Braunschweig triathlon. And honestly, there’s more to life than just work and sport.
Thank you, Erik, for this engaging interview and for sharing your personal insights on balancing software development and triathlon. We wish you continued success in both your competitions and at smartmicro!