Running is what she feels comfortable doing and it’s where she excels.

A couple of years ago, Dowie decided to combine her endurance running with swimming and cycling and dabbled in triathlons.

She turned her attention to duathlons after realising swimming wasn’t her strong suit.

The respected Warrnambool athlete’s decision has paid dividends.

Dowie will represent Australia at the ITU Duathlon Championships in Spain in May and June.

She has qualified in the 50-59 age group. 

“I am new to duathlons. I only did my first duathlon six months ago,” Dowie said.

“I have only done four races and all were part of the Victorian duathlon series.”

Dowie, a four-time world championships athletics age group medallist, said fellow Warrnambool athlete Jade Frankel encouraged her to try duathlons.

The Warrnambool Tri Club member earmarked the 2015 world championships in Adelaide as a realistic goal, but has surpassed her expectations.

Dowie said the trip to Spain for the 2014 worlds would double as a month-long holiday for her and husband Gary.

“I wasn’t trying to qualify at the moment for the world championships,” she said.

“I thought I’d have a go to see if I liked it and I happened to qualify and thought ‘well it will be a new opportunity’.

“It is a new opportunity for me because I am from an athletics background. I have dabbled in triathlons the last couple of years.

“I am very happy with my run. I think I am up there with my run but I think I have a lot to learn on the bike.”

Dowie will compete in Warrnambool Tri Club’s foreshore triathlon tomorrow.

The triathlon — a 500-metre swim, 20-kilometre ride and 5km run — will form part of Dowie’s world championships preparation.

“I find the bike leg very technical and I am not very confident on that course,” Dowie said.

She said the swim would be her “downfall”.

“I am better suited to duathlons because I am not a very good swimmer,” she said.

“I enjoy swimming but I am not very good at it.”

Warrnambool Tri Club organisers expect more than 100 athletes to compete in tomorrow’s triathlon.

It starts at 9am.