In the lead-up to 2014’s Challenge Wanaka Triathlon, we’re following the gruelling training schedule of team Angry Birds. One swimmer, one cyclist and one runner, this team is pushing the boundaries of physical endurance. They came third in the all-female category last year – can they beat their current record in 2014?
Each team member takes one discipline: 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run.
So, how are our Angry Birds preparing for the challenge?
Angry Bird: Katy
Leg: 42.2km run
Wanaka will be Katy’s 13th marathon. She has previously completed: Six Foot Track, Sydney marathon (twice), Gold Coast marathon (three times), Brisbane marathon, Melbourne marathon, Challenge Wanaka 2013 and three Ironman races (Port Macquarie twice, Melbourne once).
Having just returned Australia after a few months travelling the world, Katy’s focus is now on January’s race. Her ideal training schedule would have started five months before the event, building up to her peak 2 – 4 weeks before the big day.
Squeezing a training plan into a shorter timeframe isn’t without its challenges – especially in the middle of the silly season.
Current training schedule:
15 hours per week, broken down into 5 sessions including:
- shorter weekday sprint session
- shorter weekday hill session
- long (30km) weekend run
She’s conscious of staying hydrated, especially on longer runs, and balances her energy output by drinking Staminade both before and after. Not wanting to weigh herself down, she doesn’t take liquids out with her but nips into service stations and restrooms to hydrate as and when necessary!
Following Wanaka, Katy is competing in a half Ironman in February and the full Ironman Cairns in June.
Thinking of entering in 2015? Find out more here.
Images by kind permission of Holly Stanton Photographer.