By TERRY MADDAFORD
Judy Barfoot is tough. Just how tough she will find out on Saturday when she joins the other 824 competitors in the New Zealand Ironman triathlon in Taupo.
She has already shown grit and determination even to get to the start-line for the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle, 42.2km run event.
Out alone on a training ride a couple of weeks ago, the hardy 63-year-old was attacked by three dogs. She eventually rode away, but not before being badly bitten on the leg.
"The blood was pouring everywhere but I kept going," Barfoot said. "It was really annoying as I was in the middle of my two big training weeks."
Worse, she fears the injury may stop her wearing a wetsuit for Saturday's swim.
"The wound is in a place where it could be rubbed by the suit so I might have to swim without it."
It is particularly annoying as she counts the swim as her strength and aims to complete the out-and-back opening discipline in around 90 minutes.
In her only previous Ironman in New Zealand - she has also competed in Hawaii - Barfoot won her age-group in Auckland three years ago. But, she quickly admits, she was the only entrant.
"Old ladies are a bit thin on the ground," she said.
And they need a lot of patience.
She expects her double out-and-back cycle ride will take at least seven hours. And then there is the marathon run or, as she prefers, a run with some walking.
Barfoot will not lack family support, as she will be joined in the early thrash of the swim leg by husband Garth and son Henry.
While Garth, also 63, has completed four Ironman championships - two in Auckland, one in Australia and last year's inaugural race in Taupo - and has some idea of what he is heading into, 26-year-old Henry is a novice.
Their son got them started in triathlons six or seven years ago, but this will be his first test at the ultimate distance.
Garth, who still works full-time for the company bearing his father's name - Barfoot and Thompson - reckons swimming is his weakness, but expects the pull of the Waikato River in the latter stages of the Taupo swim to drag him along.
"The swim is lovely for us slow swimmers," he said.
For Garth Barfoot, the real goal is to do well enough to get on the invitation list for Hawaii: "That is every man's dream."
Triathlon: Gruelling Taupo triathlon is a Barfoot family event
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