Auckland will host the 2012 Triathlon World Champs and one of our own BCAC staff members, Jane Powell, will be representing New Zealand in the age group races. To be able to represent New Zealand in the age group you had to qualify and earlier this year Jane decided to have a go.
Jane helps out with the BCAC administration and has been doing triathlons for three years, particularly the endurance events, including four half ironmen. In March this year she took on the challenge of the Taupo Ironman. However, to compete in a triathlon such as the World Champs she had to change direction, shorten the distance and learn how to go faster. With the help of her coach and some very good friends and training partners they swam, cycled and ran their way through winter. They have pushed and encouraged each other on, laughed and cried over the last few months. Jane says she learnt how to hurt and how far she could push herself.
Auckland put on a spectacular day in November for the qualifying event and some very strong competition in the starting list. Jane’s swim wave started at 7.12am and they were all after just 10 spaces to represent New Zealand in 2012. In a fantastic effort and by sticking to her race plan and staying focused on what she had been taught over the last six months Jane came in 7th.
So next year she will be on the start line with some of the world’s best triathletes. She is taking December off to enjoy time with family and hopefully a nice hot summer. Training will start again in January. We wish her all the best for next year.
