"Training has been a bit more structured this time. At the same time it has been fun, with Sherry and I pushing each other and racing each other during training sessions.
"I strongly believe you should always enjoy your sport ... you shouldn't let it become a chore," Kappely said, referring to her training partner and fellow Waipukurau starter Sherry Majors who will compete in the 60-64 years' division.
A triathlete since 2001, Kappely said she was fortunate to be allowed to finish work at 3pm and train up to four hours a night, four days a week.
"On the weekends I can do up to eight hours both days. I was biking up to 250km each week during the peak of my training. At the same time when my body said rest, I rested, and that's why I've had no injuries."
Self-coached, Kappely has been following an Ironman New Zealand training programme.
"I do the best I can in terms of sticking to it as it has been designed for younger triathletes, not those over 60," she said. "Age is no barrier. As I look ahead to Saturday, 60 per cent of it is in the mind. Having to run a marathon after the cycle leg is the toughest things to get my head around." Since her 2010 Ironman, Kappely has done several Half Ironmans and standard distance (1500m swim, 40km cycle and 10km run) triathlons, including the 2010 world age-group championships in Budapest and the 2012 world championships in Auckland.
When asked if Saturday's Ironman will be her last, Kappely, a former ballet dancer, replied: "I won't say. There is one lady in the 70-74 age group on Saturday and people are getting fitter as they get older."
One thing is certain. If Kappely does promise she will tackle the Ironman again in 2020 there's a pretty good chance she will back that promise up.
