mmg.com.au

Normal people doing extraordinary things.

Mothers and triathletes Fiona Le Gassick and Meagan Harrison will step up to the ironman distance for the first time at the Asia-Pacific Championship in Melbourne on Sunday.

The 42-year-olds have combined full-time work with training every day to be ready for what will be their greatest sporting challenge.

Le Gassick and Harrison, whose husband Scott is her coach and is also competing, are among 17 Shepparton Tri Club members entered in the 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42.2km run.

It is Le Gassick’s second attempt at her ironman debut.

She crossed the Tasman last year for Ironman New Zealand, but organisers cancelled the race because of wild weather.

A half-ironman race was held instead the next day.

‘‘It was a massive disappointment and emotionally really difficult to deal with,’’ Le Gassick said.

‘‘We worked so hard for such a long period of time and to not finish or come out with a result was quite heart-breaking.’’

But last year’s experience may have been a blessing in disguise for Le Gassick, because she said she was more confident about her preparation this time.

‘‘I’m probably not as anxious after going through the training last year,’’ she said.

‘‘I learned a lot last year from doing my first year of training, which I’ve capitalised on this time around.’’

Le Gassick said a greater focus on endurance rather than speed-based training had helped her avoid injuries.

Both Le Gassick and Harrison said completing an ironman was on their ‘‘bucket list’’.

‘‘There is always that self doubt: ‘Can I train for something like this? Can I get to the start and finishing lines?’’’ Harrison said.

‘‘I take my hat off to everyone else and think they’re amazing for doing an ironman and, hopefully, I can be a role model for other women and people who think they can’t do something.

‘‘Maybe there are other people out there who might look at people like Fiona and I and think, ‘Wow, they’re mums, they work, I can do this as well’.’’

Harrison said she and Scott were sceptical at first about him serving as her coach, but happily reported ‘‘we’re still married and speaking nicely to each other’’.

Le Gassick and Harrison said they would never have been able to make it this far without the support of their training partners, work colleagues and, especially, their families.

‘‘It is very selfish and our kids have just been amazing,’’ Harrison said.

‘‘We’ve tried not to talk about it too much in front of them ... we’ll have a bit of family time for Easter at Anglesea and spoil them down there.’’

SHEPPARTON TRI CLUB’S IRONMAN MELBOURNE COMPETITORS

Fiona Le Gassick, Meagan and Scott Harrison, Jon Griffin, Anthony Nicolaci, Carole McGregor, Darren Kelly, Fiona Ransom, Lloyd and Peter Harriott, Karla McKinlay, Peter Guy, Hayley Collins, Stacey Cole, Jacinta and Jennifer Collier, Anne Maclean.