IN-FORM triathlete Andy Ryan is in a race against the clock to recover from an inflamed calf muscle leading into the Warrnambool Tri Club’s most prestigious event of the year.
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The Warrnambool athlete is likely to contest the short-course event but is banking on improvement in his lower leg before committing to race. He sustained the injury in the Warrnambool Tri Club’s aquathon, held in late January.
Ryan, who is generally geared for long-distance events, said he would adapt a “wait and see” mentality prior to the event.
“Running on the sand made one of my calves flare up a little bit, but I’m just waiting to see if it settles down,” he said.
“It could be just tightened muscles, or it could be a little tear. I’m just seeing if it settles down before committing.
“In a longer distance race, I wouldn’t worry because you aren’t going at the same intensity.
“(My calf) could easily go bang in the first kilometre, being an old man’s disease.”
The 37-year-old ranked the foreshore triathlon among his favourite events and said he strived to compete each year.
He expected a number of talented athletes from outside the south-west to compete but praised the triathlon’s inclusive nature.
“I haven’t really done much training of late. I did an Ironman event over at Busselton (in Western Australia) in December so I’ve pretty much had the Christmas period off,” Ryan said.
“The aquathon was a bit of a shock to the system in that it was the first swim I’d done in a while. It’s been good to get that intensity up again but if I can get out there, it’ll be great.” Ryan was modest about his chances and said it would be difficult to knock off Camperdown’s Kurt McDonald.
“It’s a pretty technical course in that there are a lot of tight corners and hills. It’s good for spectators,” he said.
“My fitness levels probably aren’t at their highest right now so I don’t think I’ll be pushing for the front.”
The foreshore triathlon will challenge competitors with a 500 metre swim, 20km bike leg and a 5km run.
The race will kick off at 8am on Sunday, while the club will also put on a triathlon for children on Saturday at 4pm.
An all-abilities triathlon will complete a trio of events and will kick off at 3pm on Saturday.
Warrnambool Tri Club vice president Claire Farrer said between 80 and 100 competitors were expected to partake in the event.
“People might sometimes get intimidated by triathlon, but it’s not intimidating at all. There will be a great atmosphere,” she said.
