When Gina Crawford first competed at Ironman New Zealand she swore she would never do it again.
"I was thinking the whole time [during the 2007 event] this is a bad idea, and I will never do one of these again.
"I got a slot for the world championships butI said 'no way, I'm not doing one of these again'. But about two days later I regretted giving that up and I have been a bit addicted to them ever since because, I think, it is something that challenges you so much physically and mentally.
"I have never had something like that in life, it is either one or the other really, not both. And it is really hard to perfect as well.
"I've done 33 [ironman races] and there is probably only one where I have been satisfied that I have had a great swim, bike and run all in one. So you are always striving for that."
Crawford, from Wanganui, is the top Kiwi hope in the women's race today at Ironman New Zealand and has finished second at the event in the past two years, and winning in 2009.
Crawford will need to beat American sensation Meredith Kessler, while Kessler is going after her fourth straight victory in Taupo.
