IT is not often an athlete relishes the prospect of a punishing training block, but Bathurst’s Nick North is motivated to push himself hard in the lead up to the Western Sydney Ironman.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is not just because the November 26 event will be staged at the venue where North shone in the recent Nepean Triathlon, but because it doubles as the Asia Pacific Championship.
It means North will get to test himself against triathletes from across the globe and in order to give himself the best possible chance of impressing, he planned a gruelling fortnight of training.
“It's really head down bum up for a fortnight punishing myself and then I'll have a taper week,” North said.
It's really head down bum up for a fortnight punishing myself.
- Nick North
“Everything is going really, really good, I'm just trying to keep it ticking over.”
The course will utilise Penrith’s International Regatta Centre and will see North tackling a 1.9 kilometre swim, 90km bike leg and 21.1km run.
That is longer than last month’s Nepean Triathlon where North clocked personal best times to place second in his 25-29 years age group, but that effort has spurred him on.
“I think it's going to be a tough fortnight, but the motivation is really high and it's easy to train when you are motivated and you've got a big goal,” he said.
“This is the Asia Pacific Championship and this is the first year Australia has ever had it.
“I've set some specific goals, obviously I'd love to be an Asia Pacific champ, to be first age grouper would be unreal.
“But the pro line up is one of the best Australia has ever, ever seen in a Half Ironman. It would be awesome to mix it with their times and gauge myself off them.
“I kinda wish I was spectating because I think it's going to be an unreal race, I can’t wait.”