Newlywed Ironwoman Grace Thek adds twist to her Hobart 70.3 preparation

Ironwoman Grace Thek has prepared for this weekend’s Hobart Ironman in a unique way. Here’s what she did.

From the wedding aisle, to the Apple Isle.

Melbourne Ironwoman Grace Thek has passed up the opportunity to complete a typical week of preparation for this Saturday’s Hobart Ironman 70.3.

Instead of completing her main and final session, Thek prepared for a different long-distance event – that of marriage.

“My preparation has been very unique compared to other races, I usually do a big brick session the weekend before,” she said.

“I substituted that with walking down the aisle and a dance floor boogie, so a little different to normal but I have had some good preparation in the lead up.

“My coach was very flexible about my training, but yeah definitely a unique situation.

“I am really excited to be racing in Hobart, my husband, now, has never been to Hobart so we’re looking forward to exploring before and after the race.”

While her preparation certainly placed her mind away from the 1.9-kilometre swim, 90-kilometre ride and 21.1 kilometre run event, it had its own challenges.

“Weddings can be quite stressful, socially and emotionally my battery is pretty depleted, but I think this week is a good week to relax,” she said.

“I am the happiest I have ever been and that’s always important for an athlete, I think with that comes better results from previous experiences.”

In her blood: Thek has been leading packs since her early junior athletic days.

The race itself is a bit of a free hit for Thek, who typically races later in the year.

And although she is using the event as a gauge of where her fitness lies, Thek won’t be taking the undulating bike leg lightly.

“It’s an early race for me, I think my season will go from November through to December,” she said.

“At this stage it’s more of a chance to see where my fitness lies and to have fun – it’s a new race, I have never done it before and I am really looking forward to the challenge of a different race.

“I really like a hilly bike ride, so I am really looking forward to that challenge and having 1100 metres of climbing over the 90km isn’t something that’s super common.

“It’s definitely a strength for me to have some hilly climbing over the bridge on the two-lap course.”

Thek is one of 10 professional female athletes competing in this weekend’s event.

Originally published as Newlywed Ironwoman Grace Thek adds twist to her Hobart 70.3 preparation