Triathlon: Bird faces Ironman exam

Jason Bird will take his version of teacher role modelling to a new extreme tomorrow. Photo / Paul Taylor

Former Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby halfback Jason Bird is the first to admit he hasn't got the ideal build for an Ironman.

"While there will be hills on the cycle leg where my short stature will be an asset I know I will do twice as many steps on the run leg as some of the other starters," Bird said as he pondered tomorrow's Ironman New Zealand event in Taupo where he will be a first-time entrant among 1131 competitors, 35 of them from the Bay.

The Hastings Boys' High School dean's decision to enter the gruelling triathlon - which will involve a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run - took a while too.

"Two years ago I watched my sister [Hastings GP Kiri Bird] complete it. Last year I watched her fiance Lee Grace finish. I was thrilled for them and it wasn't long after Lee crossed the finish line that I decided it was my turn," Bird, 40, explained.

Despite training for 11 months, often up to 20 hours each week, Bird, who played the last of his 14 first class games for the Magpies in 2002, hasn't set a time as a goal.

"My goal is to finish. That is the advice given to all first-timers. If you focus on a time there are so many variables which can put a halt to that," Bird said.

During the past three years he has done half and quarter IronMaori events in Napier as an individual and in a team. Bird first started in a team with his former Havelock North and Magpies first five-eighth Richard Kinnear and Kinnear's wife Alisha.

"While Lee and Kiri along with Peter Haig have been my main trainers I have huge respect for the whole IronMaori community and their support network. The IronMaori Ironman competitors have all made massive improvements from when they started training ... they are already winners before they start because of the work they've put in," he said.

A one-time Maddison Trophy winner with the Havelock North premier rugby team in 2008 and a member of several Nash Cup winning sides, Bird boasts a personal best time of 5.5hrs for the half IronMaori.

"It's awesome to have been part of those IronMaori events and having crowd and family support. Mum and dad [Lynda and Tom Bird] also did the IronMaori events. I know the Taupo Ironman will be an extra step up."

He has enjoyed the running aspect of his training the most because running was a big part of his rugby training. Other than learning to swim as a youngster, the swimming and cycling has been completely new to Bird.

"I have no doubt the training for triathlons is a lot more intense than rugby trainings. You are away from home a lot longer because of the hours you put in and I have to thank my wife Kate for her support and the work she has put in looking after our 16-month-old son Zac," Bird said.

During his 11 months of training Bird has dropped 9kg and earlier this week weighed in at 77.5kg. There have also been sacrifices with alcohol and regular eating patterns.

"Christmas and New Year was tough. You still enjoyed yourself but there were limitations ... it was only fair to do it."

Bird is unsure whether he will stick with triathlons. Depending on how well he recovers from tomorrow's event he may tackle the Hastings Marathon in May.

"Keeping active is good role modelling as a teacher. While sibling rivalry had a little bit to do with me entering Taupo I like to have a challenge in front of me ... it's easy to be a couch potato," Bird added.

Hawke's Bay entrants:

* Ann Drummond (CHB).
* Denise Elers (Hastings).
* Albie Hawea (Hastings).
* Tineka van den Hoven-Mareikura (Hastings).
* Tamati Newbitt (Hastings).
* Nihera Huata (Hastings).
* Rachael Walker (Hastings).
* David Youngquest (Hastings).
* Emma Mackie (Hastings).
* Wayne Skipworth (Hastings).
* Heather Skipworth (Hastings).
* Jason Bird (Hastings).
* Andrew West (Hastings).
* Vicki Fuhrer (Hastings).
* Colin Hutchison (Hastings).
* David Moa (Hastings).
* Shayne Walker (Hastings).
* Tony Weber (Hastings).
* Caron Schollum (Hastings).
* Chris Lee (Napier).
* Jeremy Rameka (Napier).
* Jane Lee (Napier).
* John Humphries (Napier).
* Faryn Ngawaka (Napier).
* Diana Tonks(Napier).
* Tipene Cottrell (Napier).
* Michael Johnson (Napier).
* Oliver Postings (Napier).
* Gazel Makea (Napier).
* Karl Buchanan (Napier).
* Shane Janssen (Takapau).
* Andy Walker (Waipukurau).
* Stephen Franklin (Waipukurau).
* Rod Kirwan (Wairoa).

Elitie fields:

Men: 1. Cameron Brown (NZL), 2. Terenzo Bozzone (NZL), 3. Dylan McNeice (NZL), 4. Cyril Viennot (FRA), 5. Matt Hanson (USA), 6. Per Bittner(DEU), 7. Paul Matthews (AUS), 8. Alex Reithmeier (AUS), 9. Dougal Allen (NZL), 10. Antony Costes (FRA).

Women: 1. Meredith Kessler (USA), 2. Gina Crawford (NZL), 3. Melanie Burke (NZL), 4. Amanda Stevens (USA), 5. Michelle Bremer (NZL), 6. Mareen Hufe (GER), 7. Carrie Lester (AUS), 8. Lucy Gossage (GBR), 9. Mackenzie Madison (USA), 10. Kate Bevilaqua (AUS). Also: Anna Cleaver (NZL), Candice Hammond (NZL), Caroline Martineau (CAN), Jennie Hansen (USA), Jocelyn McCauley (USA), Kaito Tohara (JPN), Keiko Tanaka (JPN), Kristy Hallett (AUS), Larisa Cochrane (NZL), Laura Siddal (GBR), Lauren Brandon (USA), Lisa Marangon (AUS), Marina Jurjevic (AUS), Tracy Morrison (AUS).