By Ross Karl
Cantabrian Gina Crawford hasn't had a typical build-up to Ironman New Zealand, after leaving Christchurch in search of a place more conducive to training, and having her first baby seven months ago.
Next Saturday, Crawford will chase her second title at Taupo – she won in 2009.
She says baby Benji is “definitely the number one priority” and she’s planning her training around him.
Sleep deprivation and breast feeding complicate training for an ironman, although it's getting easier with Benji starting to sleep through the night and Crawford feeling like she has more energy as a result.
Crawford and husband Brett have moved to Wanganui from Christchurch since the earthquakes.
The 31-year-old triathlete has also altered her training regime from 35 to 20 hours a week to fit her new lifestyle.
It’s brought immediate results – Crawford won the Ironman distance “Challenge Wanaka” for the fourth time in January.
She says she was “probably over-training before” and has now realised she can achieve the same results without pushing her body so hard.
However, the former Christchurch Symphony Orchestra violinist has had to put music to the side for the time being – her hands are full.
If Crawford does win again in Taupo the hectic regime's unlikely to let up too much as it’ll give Crawford a taste for what she'd like to achieve at the World Champs in Hawaii in October.
3 News