Ironman 2017: Port Macquarie woman Rachael Goodwin motivated for her first full marathon.

She deemed herself unfit when her family relocated from Sydney, but quickly adapted to the athletic lifestyle despite having no background in triathlon.

On Sunday, she will take on the biggest physical challenge of her life – a full distance Ironman Australia race.

Her determination and hard work with the Port Macquarie Triathlon Club saw her complete several 70.3 events last year. She understands the challenges of stepping up another level.

“I know that it is much more of a mental game than any other race I have done,” she said.

“I also need to focus on nutrition and I’m confident I have spent plenty of time on preparing my nutrition for the race.

“There have been times where I have thought it has been too hard, especially balancing life around the six hour bike rides, the runs, the swimming, but I haven’t given up.

“I’m very lucky that I have so much support. I feel like I’m racing for my husband, my kids and my parents.

“There will be periods where I will struggle mentally, but I can use my family as motivation to move forward.”

That motivation will greet her at the finish line where it is expected her husband, Mick, and their children Rhianna (8), Kaylianna (6) and Samantha (5) will present Rachael with her medal.

She knows she will also have plenty of support from the Port Macquarie community.

“One of my friends calls the town sport Macquarie and that really resonates with me,” she said.

“The community support from park run, to the plodders and training with local groups and my coach Mick Maher, it is just the best community.

“Port Macquarie has the greatest atmosphere. All of the volunteers, the support from the crowd, it is so amazing.

“Coming from Sydney to here, it really is so much more supportive. I’ve had people messaging me wishing me good luck. It has been awesome.”

She had never been on a road bike two years ago, and she did not know how to swim properly.

She joined up with the tri club simply because it was something different, and she has not looked back.

In a short amount of time, she completed her first half Ironman in Geelong and also in Port Macquarie last year.

“After I finished the 70.3 I went to the finish line and was so inspired by people crossing the line. It was so emotional,” she said.

“Watching people like Bennett Powell and Turia Pitt, I decided I had to do a full Ironman race myself.

“I was very happy with my 70.3 times, but a full Ironman is an entirely different beast. I just want to finish the race and do my best on the day.”

With four events under her belt, this Sunday’s full Ironman will be notch number five and from there the possibilities are endless.

“When I did my first 5 kilometre run I decided I had to do 10kms. I like to challenge myself and do something that is bigger than what I have done already,” she said.

“Ironman is that challenge, finishing and knowing I put all that effort in is what I love.

“When I started triathlon I found my thing. I finally found something that I really love.”