A few years earlier, during his months in the army, Dirk Zedler discovered endurance sports for himself. First of all running. “Boozing or running” - there was reportedly not much more offered in the army during leisure time. “I decided to run.” A wise decision.
In 1985, the first triathlon. Running fast was not a problem, neither was cycling - but swimming, the first of the three triathlon disciplines, “was a disaster,” he says and laughs. In 1986, he started working at Radsport Merz in Ludwigsburg parallel to his studies. On countless Saturdays, Dirk cycled from Karlsruhe to Ludwigsburg, always starting at the crack of dawn - so that he was there in time at 9 a.m. when the shop opened. In the evening, he returned to Karlsruhe. In 1991 Zedler joined the Radsport Merz team for a while, but he soon realised: “I’m not a salesman.” In 1991 Dirk Zedler became member of Ludwigsburg swimming club (Schwimmverein Ludwigsburg). This year, he will therefore celebrate his 30th anniversary in the traditional club.
At the SVL club Dirk Zedler finally learned to swim faster. He remembers the training in the Hoheneck open-air swimming pool, always starting at 6 a.m. and says “That was a great time.” But he hasn't really swum for a long time, says Dirk Zedler. His last triathlon is ages ago: 2003 in Steinheim. Nevertheless, he remained loyal to the SVL club all the years. A matter of honour. “I’m very happy to be a supporting member.”