Just three short weeks ago, we challenged TriGirlz to find a team of 70.3 first timers to race against our editor’s individual time at IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast (1.9km swim, 90km cycle, 21.1km run). Through a competition run on Instagram, TriGirlz produced a team of three female runners from Ipswich, Queensland. On the eve of the race, we caught up with Tracey, Taryn and Nicole and asked them about their previous triathlon experience and just how they are feeling about tomorrow’s race!


Team TriGirlz (left to right): Taryn (cyclist), Nicole (runner) and Tracey (swimmer).

TRACEY – Swimmer

What is your previous experience with triathlon? I completed Luke Harrop Memorial Triathlon two years ago (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run).

What is your previous experience with ocean swimming? Zero (laughs). None (laughs). The swim leg in Luke Harrop Memorial Triathlon is in a seaway. This will be my first ocean swim!

What aspect of tomorrow’s race are you most nervous about? Being out in the water and having a panic attach, just because I get overwhelmed with fear about what is in the water.

What aspect of tomorrow’s race are you most excited about? Seeing the pro triathletes racing. I am highly impressed by their athleticism and really enjoy watching any professional athlete. I am the person who cries when I watch the Olympic marathon on TV.

TARYN – Cyclist

What is your previous experience with cycling? Very limited. I have owned my bike for about two years and I go through phases and depending on the event I have coming up I stop cycling.  So for example, when I was training for a marathon earlier this year I stopped cycling all together and just concentrated on running. So, I’ve actually done more rides in the past two and a half weeks that I have done all year (laughs).

What is your previous experience with triathlon? I started with Pinkie triathlons just to get a taste of the sports and I have also completed several local sprint triathlons.

What aspect of tomorrow’s race are you most nervous about? Getting past 60km. That is the furthest I have ever cycled so getting past that and not knowing what is going to happen, not knowing what to expect, and just hoping that I can finish. Regardless of time, I just want to finish.

What aspect of tomorrow’s race are you most excited about? Crossing the finish line together. Just having all three of us crossing the finish line together. Oh and wearing our SOAS Racing kit and looking schmick (laughs)! I am so excited!

NICOLE – Runner

What is your previous experience with triathlon? I have never, ever, ever done a triathlon in my entire life. The longest distance I have run in an event is 21.1km, so I am happy about the distance but the whole transition thing is a while new world. It is like you are speaking a foreign language to me.

What is your previous experience with running? I only started running in 2011, so I am a very, very late starter. I started running because I was sick of the gym and need to spice things up and now I have the bug, or an addiction, as my husband will say! I love to train, I probably love training more than I like racing. I tend to get a little worked up and put a lot of pressure on myself when it comes to racing. I am bad for that.

What aspect of tomorrow’s race makes you the most nervous about? Knowing that I am going to be in the right spot in transition when Taryn comes in from the ride. And making sure that I have the timing chip on properly. What if it irritates my ankle? What if it falls off? What if I loose it? I know that it probably won’t, but it is all that small stuff.

What aspect of tomorrow’s race are you most excited about? I am just thrilled to have this experience. When Tracey and Taryn suggested that we enter, I said, “are you for real? I have never done a triathlon. Ask someone else.” I don’t think that I could ever do all three legs but I am so excited to have this experience and see a whole new world.

Wishing Team TriGirlz and our editor, Sarah, all the best for IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast!