Years in the Sport: Been on and off cycling for years, then 2½ years ago I upgraded from making bad decisions to making endurance decisions.
How did you get started: I’d always wanted to do a triathlon, so I completed my first sprint in April 2024. Then a chat with a mate somehow turned into entering Geelong 70.3. I can’t remember who suggested it, but I’m blaming him. Haven’t looked back since.
Why I choose CPC: I’d known about Sarah and Complete Performance Coaching for a while and was aware she offered coaching. I ended up in a group chat with people training for Ironman Port Macquarie. The way she encouraged and supported everyone, no matter where they were in their training was great to see. She created such a positive environment, it felt like an easy decision.
What I ‘get’ from my sport: You can’t underestimate the mental benefits this sport has. It gave me the confidence to take on challenges and the discipline to keep showing up. Also the positive energy from being around like minded people.
Ultimate Goal: Sub 10hrs Ironman, if not this time there will be another…
What I couldn’t live without: My tamagotchi (Garmin watch)
Biggest love: According to my girlfriend, my bike! 😉
Pet peeve!: People not walking/running on the left side of the path
Interesting fact about me: In the metre club for Murray cod.
Years in the Sport: I’ve moved from footy growing up, into running and now thought, “why not have a crack at an Ironman?” So this journey started about 6 months ago…
How did you get started: A few of us over the last 2 years have decided to do some crazy running shit each year, so we decided Port Mac Ironman would be the go to challenge ourselves and something out of our comfort zone. Initially it was for May 2027, but since they moved the event to October, we brought it forward to this year.
Why I choose CPC: Sarah has been my run coach for the past few years, always super encouraging and has transformed my running. Moving into Ironman training, it was a no brainer to join up and have the best to coach me through it! She accommodates a healthy work, life and training balance and listens to what we need.
What I ‘get’ from my sport: It makes me feel more energised, healthy and strong. It brings a huge social aspect into my life and that’s been incredibly important to have so many wonderful people sharing the journey as we go.
Ultimate Goal: Finish the Ironman comfortably and to enjoy the process so I can back it up into future events!
What I couldn’t live without: Good shoes!!
Biggest love: The social aspect of being part of an active community.
Pet peeve!: Wind when on the bike ????
Interesting fact about me: I have had two knee reconstructions – one on each knee.
Nickname: Viv – short, simple, and what everyone calls me 🙂
Age / Age Group: 51 years young!
Lives: Ashwood, Melbourne
Targeted Sport: Triathlon
Years in the Sport: I’ve been doing triathlon for about 7 months now, and it’s been an amazing experience.
How did you get started: I’ve always loved staying active and exercising. For the last five years, I’ve been going to the gym doing Body Pump, Pilates, and weight training. But after a while, I started to get a bit bored because I love learning new things and challenging myself. One day, I was walking in Elwood and saw a group of people training. I got curious, so I went over and asked what they were doing ????. The coach told me about a six-week beginner triathlon program and I thought, “Why not give it a go?” I started the program, completed my first sprint triathlon in January, and absolutely loved it. After that, I joined the Nunawading Triathlon Club, which has been amazing. It’s a great club with a really supportive and friendly community, and I’m excited to keep learning and improving in the sport.
Why I choose CPC: Everyone at Nuna Tri Club speaks so highly about Sarah, so I thought, what a great opportunity to learn and grow.
What I ‘get’ from my sport: Even though I only started 7 months ago, triathlon has already changed my life. It gives me confidence, keeps me challenged, and reminds me that I’m capable of more than I think. Plus, I’ve met some incredible people along the way!
Ultimate Goal: My next big goal is to complete my first 70.3 in November. After that, I’m sure I’ll keep setting new goals and finding new challenges along the way!
What I couldn’t live without: Coffee! I definitely need my coffee to kick-start the day.
Biggest love: My kids, family, and friends. They mean the world to me.
Pet peeve!: Early alarms but they’re necessary!
Interesting fact about me: Finished the Camino de Santiago (French Way) last June. Loved every step of the journey!
When Kerryn came to us 12 weeks ago to help her with the final part of her build to her first Ironman, our goal was to ultimately hear the words at the finish-line “YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!” And not only did Kerryn hear those magical words, the follow day it was followed with “YOU’RE HEADING TO THE WORLD CHAMPS!” “I still can’t believe that!” she said after she qualified.
Kerryn had a fantastic 3 months leading into Busso. We’d done enough to feel confident and capable, but not too much that we over cooked it. We logged some big training days (and weeks) in preparation, trialled and dialled in nutrition, done the heat prep and planned for all the ‘what if’s’ that can happen in an Ironman race day…
“Completing Ironman Western Australia in Busselton was one of the most physically and mentally demanding things I’ve done but also equally the most rewarding. It was capped off when I received a qualifying slot for Kona…I still can’t believe that!
Overall, for me, it was about finishing my first ironman and ideally hoping to do it in 12.5-13 hours. I found the windy conditions tough, so to sneak in at 12 hours 58 minutes was a relief! It was my first ever marathon and I wasn’t sure how I’d go doing it off the back of the swim and ride. I’m proud to have run most of it. I realised it was going to be touch and go on the last few km to get under 13 hours, so I told my brain and legs to shut up and ignore the pain I was feeling so I could pick the pace back up! Running along the famous foreshore past the crowds in that last km is something I’ll always remember and I felt like I was flying! ?
Thanks to Sarah for your coaching support over the past months to help me achieve this goal. I’ve learnt a lot from you.
I’m looking forward to the next chapter and training for Kona… but also looking forward to a little break and eating icecream! I also now appreciate what the ‘post-Ironman walk’ feels like!” ~Kerryn
Swim: 1:38 Bike: 6:27 Run: 4:37 Overall: 12:58.11
Congrats again Kerryn, welcome to the IRONMAN club! And here’s to another Ironman build next year! ;-p
“Sarah – you believed in me this entire journey and we blardy did it!” – Matt
When most individuals set themselves a goal of completing their first Ironman, as a coach, I generally always give the advice of ‘first and foremost, the goal is to complete the Ironman, from start to finish, in as best shape possible.’ For most, that is enough, for many, even that won’t happen. Ironman is a long day. For most, anywhere from 10-15hours is where their day will finish. And for many, it will incorporate walking.
But when you are someone with natural ability, with an engine built on a swimming background, the willingness to do the hard yards and an eagerness to get the most out of himself, I knew this was going to be more than ‘just finishing’.
So starting his Ironman campaign in June, local to Echuca Moama, Matt Brooks set about the task of first racing in just his second Half Ironman at Sunshine Coast in September where he nailed the target goals we set and came in in 4:52.
As another ‘general rule of thumb’. If all things being equal, double your Half Ironman time and add 30min (give or take) and it can give you a rough guide on what an ironman time may predict. So for Matt, a rough prediction for him was a 10hrs:15min. He told me he would be stoked with that.
But as his training progressed, I knew we would be working on a faster time, as he continued to train, absorb the training load and improve. Matt was knew to cycling and so another few months in the legs and he was only going to get stronger. Plus the work we were doing with his race nutrition and hydration plan – including a sweat test which confirmed what we already knew – he was a prolific sweater! This was going to be super important going in to a race like Busso.
Fast forward to the weekend at Ironman Western Australia 2024, and Matt was so well prepared. His training went relatively stress free, he ticked off session after session, wekk after week. He trained mainly solo – which is no mean feat! And worked on keeping his body healthy and injury free during that time. Which is imperative to an Ironman build!
My main message going into the race: Ride your own race! We knew Matt was going to get out of the swim at the pointy end of the field, but I also knew there would be a lot stronger riders around him. So it was imperative for him to settle in and ride his own race. To not get swept up in the moment and with others. And he stayed true to the plan and this paid dividends to his whole race overall!
THE RESULT: A sub 10 hour Ironman!
Based on the training and the conditions on the day, check out my predictions v’s Matts actual. Impressive!
“I couldn’t have imagined a better first Ironman experience. I was so nervous about the weather and conditions, with heavy chop in the swim and crazy headwinds and rain on the bike and run… But I stuck to our race plan and just enjoyed the entire day! We can’t do it without the volunteers who are literally the best. And the support from home has been overwhelming so thanks to everyone and particularly Coach Sarah – you believed in me this entire journey and we blardy did it!” ~Matt
Congrats Matt – you deserved that result wholeheartedly!!
