When 2,500 whānau line-up at the start of the quarter Iron Māori in Napier this weekend, Tui Ora will have some whānau of their own in the crowd.
The Wano whānau (clockwise from top left) Regan, Wiremu, Sarah and dad Hayden
First-timers Sarah Wano-Hayman (Finance Team Leader) and Regan Hayman (Kaimahi Taiohi) will be joined by IronMaori veteran, Alf Robson (Pou Whakahaere Pumanawa Tangata/People and Capability Lead) who is also the Kaiwhakahaere of Taranaki Toa. The connection with Tui Ora extends to Hayden Wano (Sarah’s Papa and CEO of Tui Ora for 25 years), her brother Wiremu, whose wife Sam works in the finance team, and Tui Ora’s weekly workout ‘Queen’ Chance Hazel. They will all be on the start line at 7am on Saturday to complete a Quarter Ironman Distance Triathlon which requires participants to complete a 1km open water swim, 50km bike ride and 10km run triathlon event.
Unfortunately, Bianca Ruakere (Communications Advisor) isn’t able to join them due to surgery.
“I can’t wait to run down that finishing chute and feel that elation that I’ve done it, that I’ve completed an iron Māori,” says Sarah. “The others have told me that it’s such an awesome feeling, with all the supporters cheering you on, that I have been focusing on that to get me through when training has been a bit less than enjoyable.”
Sarah’s journey to triathlon athlete began back in April, when Alf, one of the founder members of the Taranaki Toa triathlon rōpū, said to her ‘Have I got a deal for you!’
“I thought he was joking when he said he was putting together a crew for this kaupapa and did I want in,” she says. “But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Last year I completed my Masters, changed roles at work which has been very busy and was very involved in supporting a number of different whānau kaupapa – all of which pretty much saw me sitting in front of a computer or in hui.
“I had been thinking ‘what’s next’ and knew my tiana needed some awhi and then this came up – I saw it as a tohu and said yes!”
“I wasn’t really prepared for being dragged out of bed every morning at 4.30am to train though!”
The person doing the dragging, her husband Regan, was already a regular at the gym before he jumped on the triathlon waka too.
“It was a different challenge for me, with different disciplines which called for different training techniques and technicalities,” he says. “I did find it frustrating at times, that I couldn’t just pick it up and perform at my best, but it was a good lesson in taking things step by step.”
Sarak completes an open water training session at Ngāmotu Beach
They both said that swimming in the open ocean has presented the biggest challenge, not just because it’s physically demanding due to the waves and currents you don’t get in a pool but the mental battle it involves.
“There’s a very natural fear there, the fear of the unknown, of what creatures might be under you, and the knowledge that you can’t just put your feet down or reach for the side if you want to,” says Sarah. “The anxiety I felt standing on the sand that first time was unreal.”
But the power of kotahitanga and manaakitanga has been there to support them.
“The success of this kaupapa totally comes down to the fact that you are out there as a group, supporting and encouraging each other,” says Alf. “If an individual is finding it tough, there is always someone there to awhi them, lift them up and help them believe they can get through it.
“There’s quite a bit of cheeky banter, too, which keeps the vibe positive, even when it’s chucking it down with rain.
“The emphasis is very much on completion and participation rather than competition – no-one gets left behind because we are there as a rōpū and we stick together.”
The group is made up of both experienced triathletes and newbies, and is lucky enough to have Jamie Turner, one of the best triathlon coaches in the world, tautoko them.
“It’s amazing what a difference his technical knowledge makes to your ability to achieve milestones you never thought possible,” says Alf. “You think you can run, but then he tells you how to run more efficiently and with good form you find yourself going further and faster. We really appreciate having him as part of the team.”
“The time and energy Jamie, and the other experienced members of the team, have put into this is humbling,” says Sarah. “It really helps you keep pushing forward because you can’t quit with all that behind you.”
You are never alone with the Taranaki Toa!
Taranaki Toa began in 2012 to help create a hauora pathway for whānau to participate in regular physical activity.
“We started this kaupapa to address an over representation of Māori in poor health statistics such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. We can all relate to the stories where people who had perhaps been active in their youth let themselves go a bit and forget about how important self-care is. This was particularly true for our leaders who were so busy giving up their time for others they forgot about themselves,” says Alf.
“It’s been really successful, and we have people from all over the country check out our Facebook page and taking inspiration from what they see.”
The Taranaki contingent head to Te Matau-a-Māui on Friday.
“I just want to get the swim out of the way and then I can soak up the atmosphere on the bike and the run,” says Regan.
“I’m feeling nervous and excited and can’t wait to get off that start-line and get the job done,” says Sarah. “It’s been an amazing journey and experience so far and the event will be the icing on the cake.”
If you are interested in joining Taranaki Toa and maybe even taking part in next year’s Iron Māori event, check out the website or email Alf at [email protected].