Ruth Hutchinson was back on the wind trainer just three weeks after major surgery to have a tumor removed from her abdomen. Photo/John Stone
Ruth Hutchinson was back on the wind trainer just three weeks after major surgery to have a tumor removed from her abdomen. Photo/John Stone
A Whangārei athlete has taken a potentially life-threatening health scare in her stride as she continues to represent New Zealand on the world stage.
In August last year, Ruth Hutchinson went to Canada to take part in the World Duathlon Championships. She won the silver medal in the 45-49 femaleage group.
"That was my first ever time representing New Zealand."
She said when she came back, she felt like she was at the top of her game.
A few weeks later she had some pain in her abdomen and noticed there was a lump.
It was only a couple of weeks after surgery when test results came back, that she found out what it actually was: A fibroid - which is a benign growth on the uterus.
Hutchinson took the whole thing in her stride. She describes herself as "not really a worrier".
Ruth Hutchinson finished 16th in her age group at the world age group triathlon championships in September. Photo/John Stone
"I was doing what I could as soon as I could."
That's no understatement - back on the wind trainer three weeks after surgery, swimming soon after that and running after 10 weeks.
The selection race to represent New Zealand in the ITU Age Group races as part of the ITU Triathlon World Cup Final on the Gold Coast was held in February.
"I wanted to be fit enough to get selected."
Not surprisingly, she achieved that and the comeback was complete in less than a year.
She headed to the Gold Coast in mid September to race in the sprint discipline of a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run.
She finished 16th in her 45-49 age group and was happy with her time of 1.11.38.
