Ngarama finds fresh challenge
Here’s something that’ll give you an insight into Ngarama Milner-Olsen.
‘‘Six months into my pregnancy, one Christmas morning, we went out for a run and I said to my husband [Carl], ‘That’s my last run’.
‘‘So I went out and taught myself to swim.’’
Now the former Capital Shakers and Central Pulse midcourter, wants to contest an Ironman world championship.
Working with athletes has always been the Porirua resident’s trade.
Following the 2012 trans- Tasman netball league season it was time to start a family and she also opted to push her own sports boundaries.
Bibs and dresses were out and bike helmets and swim caps in.
Her husband was dabbling in triathlons and she had the odd client who was too, through her business Mobile Fitness Solutions.
The only problems she had were that she couldn’t swim, staying upright on a triathlon bike was trickier than it looked and she had an infant daughter to look after.
‘‘But I’m always up for a challenge,’’ she said.
Fast forward to today and things have moved on.
Daughter Amokura is 19 months old and Milner-Olsen has won her age-group at three events, and been second female home overall in each.
She is looking to complete a full Ironman for the first time in Taupo in March.
She’s not entirely sure where it might all lead, but is loving the ride.
‘‘I did my first duathlon [in September 2013] and as soon as the hooter went, my competitive edge took over and I realised I wasn’t getting into this for fun.
‘‘After leaving the Pulse I realised how much time I had on my hands, but also how much I missed sport.’’