Alexander the great

A Waikanae resident has gone from a Kapiti Women’s Triathlon scholarship recipient to a possible half Ironman competitor.

Anouk Alexander will participate in her fifth Kapiti Women’s Triathlon when the event is held this weekend.

She completed her first triathlon after receiving a KWT scholarship, which meant she kept a blog of her progress while also entitling her to free coaching.

‘‘I wasn’t active at all. Every year I saw the sign on the highway and thought ‘oh yeah I’m going to go and train’ but never did’,’’ she said.

‘‘That motivated me to get off the couch and do this ... I never stopped because I love it so much.’’

She has completed every event since, and others all around the country.

In 2015 she completed the swim and the cycle with a moon boot on, but did not complete the run.

‘‘You can keep training even in a moon boot,’’ she said.

‘‘You can do lots of swimming, biking and core strength.’’

Alexander completed the bike leg of a team half Ironman in Taupo in December and planned to complete her first individual one at the end of this year.

‘‘That’s a scary big goal. The fact you have to keep all three up is really challenging.’’

She said the KWT had changed her outlook on life.

‘‘In the end, when you do things like this and improve yourself, you get more confidence.

‘‘It [KWT] completely changed my life. I wasn’t active at all. I train five or six days a week now, and it’s completely changed who I am.’’

Kapiti Women’s Triathlon, Sunday February 26, several different distances being held. First group starts in sea by the old Raumati Pool at 8.45am. Prizegiving is scheduled for 11.30am.

The event was first held 34 years ago, with the aim of encouraging women and girls to get out and have a go, focusing on fitness and health.