Kathrin Delfs 
📅 Recorded on March 12, 2025
🎙️ With Thomas Scherb
Kathi | Kickass: Okay, cool. Thomas, I’d say we’ll just get started. First question to warm up: When you’re not training, what do you do for a living? Do you have any other commitments? How busy are you?
Thomas: Well, when I’m not training, I have to work, of course. I’m a manager at an automotive supplier and lead a team of around 50 people. I plan, organize and coordinate so that everything runs smoothly.
In my free time, I travel a lot – I’m married with two children and I like to travel in my motorhome. It’s great for sport because you stay flexible. If the weather is bad, you just keep driving. I combine the two – it works really well.
Kathi | Kickass: And how much time do you have for training when you’re so busy?
Thomas: That’s difficult. My workload is actually 24/7 because we work in three shifts and I’m responsible for the entire production. I’m always available, so there’s no such thing as a classic weekend or vacation. I work an average of 60 to 70 hours a week.
Kathi | Kickass: When you’re available practically non-stop – is sport your balance?
Thomas: One hundred percent. That’s extremely important to me. Just two or three hours without a phone or computer. I have technology around me all day – it’s liberating to switch off completely while running or cycling. I don’t take a cell phone with me, no music – I’m just outside and clear my head. I really enjoy that.
Kathi | Kickass: Super cool! What actually motivates you to take part in the challenge?
Thomas: My motivation is not just the challenge itself. For me, every day is a small challenge. I work towards the daily session – swimming, running or cycling, for example. When I’ve completed the session, I’m happy.
Challenge Roth is the big goal, but to stay motivated for ten months, I need these small successes. Every tick on the training plan is a motivational boost for me.
Kathi | Kickass: Now I’m still interested: Why Challenge Roth? Why not the Ironman Frankfurt?
Thomas: Good question. I’ve been a judge at Challenge Roth for many years. At some point I said: I want to do a long distance again – and specifically chose Roth.
I think at 55, this will be my last long distance, after that I want to concentrate more on middle distances.
It’s more pleasant in terms of the effort involved.
But Roth was a must for me – not as an athlete so far, but from a referee’s perspective.
And the atmosphere there is simply unbeatable. I’ve seen a lot of races in Germany, but Roth is unique – the crowd, the organization, the whole thing.
If you’ve never experienced Roth, it’s hard to understand. It really is a completely different race. I don’t think there’s a second one like it in the world.
Kathi | Kickass: And what are your plans for the day?
Thomas: Crossing the finish line healthy and with a smile – that’s my goal. Soak up the hours on the course and enjoy it.
If I get a good time, great. If not, but I still finish, then I’ve done everything right.
Kathi | Kickass: What would you say characterizes you as a person – also with regard to your training?
Thomas: I’m very well organized – I have to be in my job. Planning, discipline – that’s just part of it for me.
That carries over to training.
I think I’m also generally positive.
Of course, there are also days when you’re sitting on the sofa with a coffee, looking outside, it’s raining – and yet there’s still a running session to do.
Then you just need discipline, you have to motivate yourself.
It works well for me when I work through my tasks in a structured way – and have fun at the same time.
Kathi | Kickass: And vice versa – is there a quality that sometimes gets in your way?
Thomas: (laughs) My wife would say a lot about that.
A project like a long distance is not just a challenge for the athlete, but for the whole environment.
My family is involved to a certain extent – not physically, but emotionally and organizationally.
When I get home at 8 in the evening and still have training ahead of me, and it doesn’t work out as planned, I get… well, grumpy.
I sometimes find it difficult to be patient. I want everything to work out – and if it doesn’t, I quickly get frustrated.
I have to remember more often that things don’t progress every day and that you can’t do everything at once.
Kathi | Kickass: How much do you currently train per week – on average?
Thomas: I average about 14-15 hours a week. Last week it was a bit more because the weather was great. I really enjoy cycling extensively, and at the weekend I rode my first hundred this year. You’re in the saddle for longer, but it’s great fun. I was really happy to ride outside again – I’m not a fan of roller training. I ride outside in summer and winter. But when it comes to analyzing data, the roller is just great. Nevertheless, I was happy to get out again. Last week I even did 17 hours of training.
Kathi | Kickass: Have there been any real “aha” moments in your KICKASS training so far – things you’ve changed that have really helped you?
Thomas: Definitely. The biggest success was in swimming. I could swim quite well before, but the technique sessions and outside analysis made me realize that if you try to swim fast, you often lose your technique – and therefore your speed. Now I swim much more calmly and evenly and that gives me a really good pace. Something has also changed in my running. My heart rate has dropped and I can run steadily for an hour or more without it hurting. Philipp always says: 80% of running is without a bunch – and that’s true.
The tips from the entire coaching team – be it Jan with cycling, Lisa with athletics or my direct coach Tim – there are a lot of adjustments that I now know and will use in the future. For me, it’s not just about the competition. I’m learning for the future and taking a lot into my private life. Maybe not quite as fast, but crossing the finish line with a smile – that’s my goal.
Kathi | Kickass: How does it feel for you to be part of this group?
Thomas: Unbeatable. I get goosebumps just talking about it. We came from all over Germany, didn’t know each other, all ages. And suddenly there was this cohesion. Everyone brings something of their own to the table, but you’re still on an equal footing. You help each other, give each other tips, motivate each other. Friendships developed and it’s fascinating how sport connects people – regardless of age, performance or experience. For me, it’s more than just sport – it’s become a philosophy of life. I now motivate myself more in all situations in life, be it in sport, at work or in my private life. And yes, I even got a tattoo of the Kickass logo – because it’s just part of it.
Kathi | Kickass: So is “Kickass” more of a motivational kick or a little ass-kicking for you?
Thomas: It’s a process – and now it’s a way of life. I motivate myself, kick myself in the butt to achieve goals – and not just in sport.
Kathi | Kickass: Let’s beam ourselves into the future: Race Day. What’s the first thing that pops into your head?
Thomas: I get out of the motorhome in the morning, right by the swimming pool. Coffee in hand. And I say: Today is going to be a great day.
Kathi | Kickass: And when you’re out on the bike or run later – what do you want to hear from your coach?
Thomas: “Thomas, you look good – you can do it!” No matter what I actually look like. That really pushes me.
Kathi | Kickass: And would you also like a specific tip?
Thomas: Sure, always. If it comes from Tim, Lisa or someone from the team, then I know it will help me. Even little tips like: “You’d better take your arms with you” help. You often see more from the outside than you feel yourself.
Quick question round:
Kathi | Kickass: Faster with Cake or Faster with Gelato? Thomas: Cake.
Kathi | Kickass: Roll or ride outside? Thomas: Outside.
Kathi | Kickass: Podcast or music? Thomas: Podcast.
Kathi | Kickass: Earlybird or night owl? Thomas: Earlybird.
Kathi | Kickass: Seat cream – yes or no? Thomas: Yes and no.
Kathi | Kickass: Tubeless or inner tube? Thomas: Both.
Kathi | Kickass: Lonely Rider or Group Rider? Thomas: Lonely.
Kathi | Kickass: Swim-bike transition time: under or over 3 minutes? Thomas: Under.
Kathi | Kickass: Beer shower or champagne? Thomas: Neither.
Kathi | Kickass: Coffee or tea? Thomas: Coffee.
Kathi | Kickass: Carbon or fitness? Thomas: Both.
Kathi | Kickass: Nice or Hawaii? Thomas: Claim: Nice. History: Hawaii.
