WHEN Peta Cutler lines up to contest the Western Sydney Ironman 70.3 event this Sunday at Penrith, no matter what time the Bathurst triathlete goes on to clock, her effort will be one to take note of.
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It is because the event will not only mark Cutler’s return to the sport, but prove that mothers with young children can tackle what seems an imposing task – a 1.9 kilometre swim, 90km cycle and 21.2km run.
“I’ve been out of action for awhile. I’ve had two years off because I had my second baby – Jack – he’s now nine months old,” Cutler said.
“I sort of thought 12 weeks ago that I’m going to enter it, so who knows what will happen on Sunday? I’m just looking forward to it, I’m excited to be back racing.”
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Cutler is no stranger to challenging herself physically and mentally, having previously tackled two full Ironman distance races – Port Macquarie and New Zealand.
In the latter of those two, Cutler took 10 hours, 53 minutes and 44 seconds to complete the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle leg and marathon 42.2km run at Taupo to rank seventh in her division.
Sunday’s race will be shorter – and at a steadier pace too. This time it is not about personal bests for Cutler, but rather reaching the finish line.
“I know what I’m in for, but I’ve never done Western Sydney. From what I’ve been told it can be really hot, it’s very flat and boring,” she said.
“I don’t really know what to expect, I’m just looking forward to being part of it and having a go.
“Look I could be the last person to cross the line, but who cares? It’s Ironman, to finish is all that matters, I’m only racing myself.”
As for her training in the build up, Cutler has adopted the approach of “I just do what I can do”. Her preparation time has in the main been in the early morning and when her son has nap time later in the day.
“A lot of people say to me ‘How do you fit it in?’ but I’m an early morning person, so if I get my training done before the kids are out of bed and my husband goes to work, then that’s fine,” she said.
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“I love to show to other mums that just because we are mums doesn’t mean we can’t do it. They think ‘I could never do that’, but they actually can, anyone can do it.”
Cutler is one of what is expected to be a handy contingent of Bathurst Wallabies triathletes who will tackle the Western Sydney Ironman.
Richard Hobson, Nick Hosking, Terry Roberts and Kath Stutsel will all line up, with Tom Hanrahan and Andrew Burke also on the initial entry list when it was released last month.