IAN Barnes knows he will require a lot of willpower to complete the Warrnambool Tri Club enduro’s final lap.
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Barnes, 30, will tackle the Blue Hole course for the first time on Sunday.
The enduro is a triathlon — three times over.
Entrants will tackle three laps of a 300-metre swim, 7.2-kilometre ride and two-kilometre run circuit.
“(I’ll) get through and do the best I can do,” Barnes said.
“I am new to the sport so the events are new to me and it’s something new to achieve.”
Barnes joined the tri club last year and already has his sights set on its Sufferfest in March: a two-kilometre swim, 80-kilometre ride and 20-kilometre run.
The keen runner said he had improved on an already decent fitness base since joining the club.
“At the start of the year (2013) family members roped me into the half ironman at Shepparton,” Barnes said.
“I’d never done anything like that in my life but thought I’d give it ago.
“I thought I’d never do it again but I caught the bug.”
Barnes, who moved to Warrnambool with his wife Nicole three years ago, competed in Warrnambool Athletics Club’s summer series opener at Flagstaff Hill last night.
He said the south-west offered a large range of sporting activities for people of all abilities.
“There are a lot of clubs and if you want to get involved there are plenty of options around, plenty of events and plenty of community groups encourage the lifestyle,” he said.
“When I moved here I didn’t know too many people so I firstly got into the athletics club and then the tri club.
“It’s a fun and friendly club and good to be a part of.
“I am enjoying going out there. I am a bit of an active person so I enjoy being outside and enjoy competing.”