Masterton duathlete Tom Porter is ensuring a lack of preparation won't be a problem when he represents New Zealand at the world championships in Canada in July.
Porter, 52, will compete in the 50-54years age group in an event which will consist of a 10km run, a 40km bike ride and
then a 5km run.
With several hill climbs involved, stamina will be a major attribute and Porter has been biking around 250km a week and running 60km a week, to ensure he is not found wanting in that respect.
"I don't mind the hills, so I'm hoping the course will suit me," he said. "The tougher the slog the better I should go."
Porter, who by his own admission, was not in his best form when he finished third in his age group at the New Zealand duathlon championships in Palmerston North in April, is "very excited" about donning the silver fern for the first time.
"It's the sort of thing you dream about?.lining up at the start line alongside others representing their countries as well," he said.
For Porter his rise to national selection has been relatively quick for he has only been involved in duathlons for five years, taking up the sport after looking down in the shower one day and not being able to see his toes.
"I said to myself there and then that I had to get out and do some regular exercise, and that's how it all started," he said. "The more the weight came off and the more fitter I got the more competitive I became???..I wouldn't swap that feeling for anything now."
