Michelle Bremer – Triathlete

Feelings after winning 2011 Sunsmart Ironman Western Australia
“Heading into IMWA I was completely relaxed and excited. I had a great block of training under my belt, and felt confident of doing a sub 10hr race. When I led the bike into T2 that had already made my ironman day! I knew it was still a huge day ahead with a marathon about to begin! At this point I never expected to win, I just went out there got into a comfortable rhythm and enjoyed myself and soaked up the hype of the crowd. After 30kms on the run when the anticipated sound of footsteps behind me never came, I began to think wow, maybe, just maybe I can do this! I could see a fast moving Michelle Mitchell moving through the field and knew I still had my work cut out for me. At that point my quads were so tight and sore that each foot strike sent waves of shock roaring up my legs.

It turned purely to a mental game, my legs so badly wanted to stop, but I had been in the lead from 30kms on the bike, and lead the marathon right up until this point, every person on the side of the road was cheering for me, even the other competitors were yelling support, I had the lead bike in front of me, the motorbike and camera crew kept on rocking up and filming me, I couldn’t give in now! I made it to the final turn point and with 4kms to go, saw Michelle M (running strong!) had caught Carrie in second place and they were together 5mins down. I knew with how sore I felt and how good she looked it was possible for her to catch me! I thought to myself, you can do this, don’t give in, just keep the legs moving, I couldn’t bear the thought of being overtaken in the last few kms. So somehow the legs kept moving against their will!

The crowd support was incredible, I think I just got lost in the moment and the hype of the crowd, and tried to block out the pain in my legs, and it worked. The last km I checked over my shoulder a few times as I really did think that Michelle was going to be right there, but she wasn’t! So rounding the final corner to the finishing shoot, I then relaxed and soaked up the moment, of not only finishing an ironman, but winning one! The feeling of grabbing the banner was out of the world!”

1. What are your sporting aspirations?
To be the best triathlete I can be, and to perform at a consistent elite level over the Ironman 70.3 distance.

2. What got you into Triathlons and when did you start ?
A few years ago, I travelled to Kona with my best friend to watch her Mum compete, and I was blown away at how incredible all of the athletes and the sport of triathlon/ironman was. After that my friend and I then decided to enter the NZ national half ironman race as it is set on our hometown of Mount Maunganui. So three months later in Jan 2007 without a clue of how to do a triathlon I finished my first half ironman! It hurt like crazy as I had done hardly anywhere near the training I should have done for a half ironman, and had no clue on nutrition and hydrating during the race, so did the whole thing on water! After that I took the rest of the year off, and then towards the end of 2007 decided I wanted to go back and do the race properly! So I joined the North habour triathlon club in Auckland and trained with them for three months, and went back and won my age group in 2008, and again in 2009. After winning my age group in 2009 I went on to race at the Would ITU Long Distance champs in Perth and came 2nd in my age group. Following that in 2010 I had several other successful local races and also travelled to the States for a month to trial a couple of the 70.3 races. Then in 2011 decided to take the risk of leaving the security of my full time job and train full time!

3. Who is your sporting hero and why?
Chrissie Wellington, I think she’s amazing and it’s incredible that she entered triathlon at a later age with and has been so successful!

4. What previous sports did you play ?
I’ve always loved being outdoors and running around but only ever on a social basis. I ran at high school in cross country races and athletics, but never excelled, it was more for fun! After school I just maintained my fitness with running and gym work when I went to university. I had never riden a bike until I decided to do my first half ironman race in 2007.

5. What is your favourite race? Why?
The Port of Tauranga half ironman (New Zealand National Half Ironman champs). I grew up and went to school in Mount Maunganui (where the half ironman course is), so this race holds a special place for me- racing at my hometown in front of friends and family.

The race has awesome crowd support and is really well organised. I’ve had some good results there and earlier this year I set the female bike course record.

6. What is your greatest sporting achievement?
2nd in my AG (25-29) at the ITU world long distance champs in 2009, after only 18 months in the sport.
3rd overall of the Port of Tauranga half ironman
1st in the “Ultimate” distance race at the elite energy series in Forster in 2011.

7. What Hammer Nutrition products do you use?
I love the Cafe latte flavour Perpetuem, HEED and the energy bars are awesome!

8. Why do you use Hammer Nutrition?
Nutrition has always been my downfall when racing, as I had struggled to find a product that worked for me, which in turn has really affected my race results in the past.

A friend introduced me to Perpetuem earlier this year and I was amazed at how easy it is to consume, and the sustained energy levels over a long period of time that it provides. Since then I have been hooked!

I use the Perp mixed with Hammer gels for my long rides and half ironman racing. Along with the HEED energy drink these products give me the energy and kick I need!

I also use the choc chip and cashew/coconut energy bars which are great for a recovery snack after a hard session.

9. Favourite Quote:
“You will never succeed beyond your wildest dreams unless you are willing to have some wild dreams”