BRETT Barker returned to sport four years ago by running a Melbourne Marathon.
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The Warrnambool athlete then turned his attention to triathlons.
These days Barker rides 200 kilometres, runs 40km and swims 5km a week.
He’ll put that regular practice to good use tomorrow when he tackles Warrnambool Tri Club’s enduro at the Blue Hole.
The circuit is a 250m swim, 7.2km ride and 2km run — completed three times.
His aim for the enduro is “to finish”, or even better, go “top 10 in my age group”.
Barker, who took on the Warrnambool Tri Club vice-presidency this year, is using the competition as preparation for two bigger competitions.
“I am doing Challenge Melbourne, a half ironman on February 1 and Sufferfest on March 1,” he said.
“The interesting part of the enduro is going from running back to swimming again. It is something unusual. It is popular because it is not a standard (event).
“It is to build a platform so people can train for Sufferfest.”
Barker, 42, said the challenge of a triathlon, both physically and mentally, spurred him on.
The father-of-three said adjusting to triathlons “took a season”.
“You find a leg you like and build on it,” he said. “I wanted a challenge, thought I’d give it a go and found it harder than I thought and I didn’t want it to beat me.
“Flicking the mind that you can go from one discipline to another (is hardest) because sometimes your mind tells you it’s hard to go from a bike to a run.
“The good thing about the club is it’s very encouraging.”
Barker, who works at South West Healthcare in IT, admitted he was always in “survival mode” in swim sections.“I still struggle. You are either a good swimmer or you are not a good swimmer.”
Warrnambool Tri Club’s enduro starts at 10am tomorrow. The event also caters for team entries and there is an individual lap section for those interested in the shorter distance.
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au