During my triathlon, I was surrounded by innovations designed to help athletes move faster, conserve energy and keep going.
During the swim, I caught myself thinking about wetsuit materials.
On the bike, my thoughts turned to aerodynamic frames, helmet designs, disc wheels and integrated hydration systems.
During the run, I mainly tried not to think too much. Carbon-plated shoes, sports nutrition and wearables at least gave me something else to focus on besides the distance still ahead.
Once back at work, curiosity took over. I decided to look up some of the patents behind these innovations.
For the swim, I found a wetsuit designed around the position of a swimmer’s arms when raised overhead. The design is intended to facilitate a more natural overhead arm movement and reduce fatigue (EP 3235393 B1).
For fueling along the way, there was a high-carbohydrate bar developed specifically for consumption during exercise (EP 4371417 A1).
And for the run, I came across the well-known On Cloud running-shoe sole, with its multilayer midsole and characteristic channels (EP 4106571 B1).
Three patents connected to the three stages of my triathlon. Together, they show how much innovation sits behind the equipment and nutrition that we often take for granted.
There is a parallel with training. Progress rarely comes from one exceptional session. More often, it is the result of preparation, consistency and many small improvements that reinforce one another.
The same applies to a patent portfolio. A single patent can be valuable, but each additional patent can reinforce the protection and strengthen the broader technical and commercial position.
My own performance made it clear that there is still plenty of room for improvement. Back to work and back to training.