REIGNING Port Macquarie 70.3 champ Lisa Marangon has had her fair share of battles over the past year, but is ready to lace up and take back to back titles.
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The Sydneysider took out the event last year and has placed in previous years. She also finished in second place at this years full Ironman event.
However, it almost wasn’t to be with a shock diagnosis putting her career on hold.
“After the Ironman in May and coming second I competed in a few races but didn’t do too well,” she said. “I realised something was wrong and had to have some blood tests done.
“I found out that I had abnormal liver function and my ferritin, which helps produce iron to your muscles, was at rock bottom.”
She bravely fought on, racing at the Gold Coast Challenge 70.3 in August and then the Sunshine Coast 70.3. It was in those races that she knew something was wrong.
“Thankfully I was able to get it sorted through some iron tablets and multivitamins and now I have come back to normal and I’m healthy and fit,” she said. “Right now I’m feeling fit, fast and ready to go.”
Marangon is coached by Victorian Xavier Coppock of Team Tri Coaching and trains with partners from More Performance, based in Sydney.
“Training-wise winter was pretty tough because it was so wet, but since the weather has cleared up it’s been amazing,” she said. “This one will be a really special for me, as my father will be in attendance to watch me race for the first time since 2006.
“It’s going to mean a lot to me to do a good race for him as well as my son.”
Marangon has been competing in the sport for over 10 years and every time she races she feels the challenge keeps bringing her back and motivating her for more.
“Every time I race and every training session is a huge challenge and what I learn about myself is a huge motivator,” she said. “There are so many inspirational people doing it and that pushes me to do better.”
A podium finish will satisfy her appetite for glory, but really Marangon admits she wants the title for a second year running.
“I know it’s going to be a hard race and I don’t necessarily have a game plan in place,” she said. “After winning last year I’d love to go back to back, which is something I haven’t done before, so I’ll do everything I can to win.”