After completing Ironman New Zealand earlier this year, Rotorua's Jacky James has signed up for a different sort of challenge this summer.
Jacky has come a long way on her journey from an "overweight couch potato” three years ago to the fitter and healthier person she is today.
Last year's huge personal challenge to complete Ironman New Zealand culminated in success, and now she's found a new way to stay motivated in the sport of triathlon – completing all seven races of the Contact Tri Series.
With events in Rotorua, Whangamata, Christchurch, Wanaka, Kinloch, Takapuna and Wellington, Jacky is looking forward to seeing a fair bit of the country while competing.
It's a very different sort of challenge for Jacky, with this year more about having fun than the endless hours of training that went into her Ironman campaign.
"Crossing the line at Ironman New Zealand was huge actually. Because I was so focussed on the training, I don't think I realised how huge it was until afterwards,” she said.
"Next to having my children it's the biggest achievement of my life. It's given me the confidence to tackle anything that would've been outside my comfort zone before because nothing's going to ever be as hard as Ironman.”
After recently completing her first race of the Tri Series challenge at the Blue Lake in Rotorua, Jacky is excited about switching focus to race two in Whangamata on January 3rd.
"Whangamata was my very first race that got me hooked on my journey, so I'm really looking forward to that. Kinloch is gorgeous and is nice and close to home. I grew up in Takapuna and have done it every year since it started so that will be great. Wellington I've never been to and that will be my first ever Olympic distance. I love Queenstown and that part of the South Island, so I can't wait to get down to Wanaka.
"For someone who two years ago couldn't run around the house and was a total couch potato to an Ironman in a short amount of time, I still stop and think - wow I did well.
"I'm absolutely having a blast and some fun, it's a bit of an adventure as well. It's very easy to fit in 1-2 hours of training per day without having a huge impact on the rest of your life.
"I encourage anyone who thinks they don't have time to take another look at it and give it a go beacause it is very achievable for anyone of any size and fitness level.”
Following this season's challenge, Jacky is planning to mount her second Ironman New Zealand campaign heading into the 2013 race.
