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: Julie-Anne
Leg: 180km cycling
This is Julie-Anne’s third season of triathlon. She qualified for the World Triathlon Series in Auckland in 2012: this was her first year and she came 15th in the Olympic distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run) despite being knocked off her bike as she went into the second lap.
Her luck continued in a similar fashion in London 2013 when she was stung on her neck by a wasp while getting into the water. She then suffered severe leg craps making it difficult to run and came 38th. In Australia she’s usually in the top 10 in her age group.
Previous triathlons also include sprint, Olympic, classic and half Ironman. Her best result was in Huskisson 2012 where she came 2nd female overall and 1st in her age group.
Current training schedule:
Cycling
- 2x bike sessions on weekdays (30-40km) with a mixture of hill work for strength and sprint work for speed
- Longer weekend sessions including a brick session and a long ride
Swimming
- 2x swim squads per week
- 1x ocean swim per week
Running
- 1x track session per week
- 1x longer run per week
Julie-Anne is also training for a half Ironman in February.
Thinking of entering in 2015? Find out more here.
Images by kind permission of Holly Stanton Photographer.