Susan's stepping up to a triathlon

Taking part in the Women's Activator Series has inspired Susan Burr to train for a triathlon.
As a result, the 35-year-old has jumped on board the new Step Up fitness training programme being run by Events and Venues Rotorua and designed for people keen to tackle an off-road triathlon.
Ms Burr took part in the 12-week Activator Series last year, training for cycling. swimming and walking or running.
However, four weeks ago she had surgery and while she hasn't been able to do much training since, she is ready to start her exercise regime again.
"The Activator Series encouraged me, motivated me, to get out there and train. I really enjoyed it ... I've decided I'd like to do a triathlon now.
"I've always liked the outdoors, cycling and running. I hadn't done much swimming since I was a kid but it was fun."
She is hoping to take on a 3:9:3 (300m swim, 9km bike ride, 3km run) triathlon first.
"I've got to get my fitness up first. This programme will help."
Lots of women taking part in the Activator Series had gone on to compete in sporting events including duathlon and triathlon, Ms Burr said. "Quite a few went on to do events. Some of them had never entered events before. It was encouraging," she said.
Community programmes and events co-ordinator Kylie Lang said the Step Up programme was aimed at both men and women who were not beginners or elite athletes but wanted to enter a triathlon.
Coaches Nic Leary and Mark Lieshman will coach those taking part in the eight-week and three weekend sessions on mountainbiking, swimming, running and transition skills to take part in triathlon.
It promised to be a fun and full-on training series, building on existing knowledge and preparing participants for an off-road triathlon, Miss Lang said. The series will be run in two parts - an eight-week series every Wednesday night for 90 minutes starting on February 17 and three separate weekend sessions involving three-hour sessions, developing mountainbiking skills.
"If you are training for the XTERRA off-road triathlon in April these training sessions will suit you," Miss Lang said.
The eight-week programme is $30 with $15 extra for each of the three weekend training sessions. Registration is required with brochures available from the Convention Centre, Countdown supermarkets and the Rotorua Aquatic Centre. For more information email kylie.lang@rdc.govt.nz.