Decorated Silver Fern Steps into the Triathlon Unknown   3 Dec 2014

Laura Langman knows what it takes to achieve in international sport, since 2005 Langman has been an ever-present in the Silver Ferns, controlling the mid court and establishing herself as one of the world’s premier players, on the way winning two Commonwealth Games gold medals, an ANZ Championship and numerous other team and personal commendations.

On Sunday however, Langman will be right outside that considerable comfort zone as she tries a triathlon for the first time, lining up in the Sovereign Tri Tinman at Mount Maunganui, and the bubbly 28 year old freely admits, she is unsure how it will play out.

“I have never done anything like this before, never, this is my triathlon debut. Sometimes I think I don’t know myself that well so I am not sure how I will react once the race starts, I am guessing the adrenalin will help me get the job done but my goal is just to get all three disciplines done safely and efficiently, I am definitely not worried about the finishing time, I just hope I get there!”

Langman was roped into entering by close friend and work colleague Rachel Fabling, someone Langman describes as ‘moderately experienced’ in triathlon. The Northern Mystics mid-courter says in this rivalry, she is a clear underdog.

“Rachel and I have started to get into other stuff away from netball, and once she convinced me to give it a go I thought I better do some training. To be honest I like to do things that make me nervous, and to have the ability to do a triathlon you have to be mentally sound, so I picked it as a good self-challenge in the off-season. And yes, I am extremely nervous so I guess that part of the challenge has already worked, the only part I am comfortable with really is the thought of putting on the running shoes at the end.

“I can bike 40 kilometres but not fast, and swimming has been a big effort area for me. But it has complemented my netball training, especially the swimming. While I know I am working hard in the water, it is a good recovery for my body at the same time, so that has been a good win already.”

Langman may be nervous about her first foray into triathlon in Sunday’s Sovereign sponsored Tinman, but she is already appreciating the variety it has brought to her off-season and knows it will have her in good stead for the start of a busy 2015.

“The main reason I am doing it is I think it is important to maintain balance in your life, especially with competitive sport playing such a big part as it does for me. Given it is summer it is great to get out and be involved in an event at a venue like this, last weekend we did the bike relay around Lake Taupo, so quite possibly this is the first of many triathlons, you never know!”

Langman will line up in the standard distance Sovereign Tinman event, one that has a long history and has seen many of the country’s finest triathletes grace the podium over its 25 plus years of history. She has been involved before in a team relay, so has some idea of the course and what to expect.

“I have done the run before, the run is so cool around the base of The Mount, which was a big part of the attraction. Other than that I have seen the rest of the event before of course as a spectator but I am not that familiar with the bike course, I will suss that all out on Saturday. The crowd factor is massive for me, I am not that great in big crowds, I am going to have to adjust pretty quick on Sunday!”

Langman says the camaraderie in the training has already been a huge positive, as she has shared the workload and the enjoyment with Rachel and others in the weeks leading up to Sunday.

“Having fun and enjoying doing this is definitely one of the keys, we have done all our training together - Rachel’s mum is doing it as well. I love training with people and trying different things, that is why I have enjoyed it, the group of us training together.

“I suspect though that Rachel is perhaps thinking she might have the edge on me on Sunday, she is thinking that way I think, she has done a few triathlons before after all. She might have a considerable lead on the swim and bike and leave me with my work cut out on the run.”

The weekend also sees the Jennian Homes New Zealand Aquathlon Championships at Pilot Bay on the Saturday morning from 8:15am, entry details for this event which is a qualifier for the 2015 ITU World Aquathlon Championships can be found by CLICKING HERE

Entries remain open for Sovereign Tinman and the many events on offer, from the very short and beginner rated distances, through to team racing and of course the Sovereign Tinman itself over 1500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run. The event takes place from Pilot Bay on Sunday morning with racing starting at 8am on Sunday morning, late entries accepted on Saturday between 3 and 5pm at Pilot Bay.

A detailed race preview will be distributed on Thursday morning.

For more information on Sovereign Tri Tinman, Mount Maunganui, Take on the Mount, CLICK HERE

ENDS

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