Ironman: Polly Barach ready for the Taupo challenge

Polly Barach is ready for the Nutrigrain Ironman in Taupo despite not having an ideal preparation. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Whangarei's Polly Barach is just wanting to get across the line in the Nutrigrain Ironman.

The school teacher hasn't had an ideal lead-in to the 20th annual race in Taupo todaybut is ready to take on the challenge.

"There's always a fair bit of nerves going into an ironman and this year is no exception," she said.

"I haven't had the best build-up to Taupo. I've been travelling in Europe so it hasn't been easy to get through training.

"I haven't been able to jump on the bike because of the snow but the running and swimming are going. It'll be what it'll be."

The 2018 edition is Barach's eighth tilt at the race. The event sees competitors take on a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run.

Barach, who is part of The Network Tri Club, said there is a lot of work that goes into preparing for a race like this.

"Usually I'm up at 5am to fit in at least two hours on the bike trainer before work," she said.

"Swimming is the same, trying to get through as much as I can during the week.

"My weekends are the big training days. It'll be either a 100km bike or a two to three hour run so I clock up some distance."

With her preparations less than ideal, Barach isn't expecting a personal best effort.

"This year is more around crossing the finish line," she said.

"I'm not too worried about what time I get just because of the build-up. I'm just focused on finishing the race."

Barach was a recipient of a new initiative that links the children of the Taupo region to each of the competitors taking part in the race.

With Love from Taupo is a programme putting a personalised letter from a child in the region into every competitor welcome pack.

This is possible thanks to the support of the schools in the region, the Taupo District Council and a whole lot of creativity from the kids, with the aim of having 1700 letters in race welcome packs as they are opened at the end of this week.