SUFFERFEST contender Levi Maxwell can spend 40 hours a week training.
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The Geelong-based professional triathlete, who specialises in ironman distances, said preparation for events was crucial.
Maxwell, 27, has endured a heavy load in the lead up to the Warrnambool Sufferfest – a long course triathlon about half the distance of his prefered competitions.
The 2016 runner-up up is in his second professional season, having picked up the sport in 2009.
He said each distance came with its highs and lows. The Sufferfest, which starts and finishes at Blue Hole, consists a 2-kilometre swim, 50km ride and 21.1km run.
“In a big build – I usually do ironman which is double the distance we’re doing on Sunday – if you include massage, gym, swim, ride and run it is probably 40 hours a week,” Maxwell said of his preparation.
“It’s a full-time job. The average (training throughout the year) is 25 hours a week.
“When you get a good result or everything comes together, there’s the self-satisfaction of knowing the things you have put in place and the hours of hard work has been worthwhile.
“And everyone who supports you can enjoy it.”
Maxwell said adapting to different distances was a hard ask.
“You do a lot of aerobic-style training and you step down to a half-ironman and it is a lot faster,” he said.
“You have to pull the speed out from somewhere.”
An Olympic distance competition will coincide with the long course triathlon on Sunday.