A strong performance in her first half Ironman has convinced Gold Coast triathlete Maighan Brown she can compete on the world stage.
The Bond University athlete has been bitten by the endurance bug after competing in Geelong last month.
The race involves a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run leg.
Under the tutelage of Bond’s head triathlon coach Craig Walton, Brown, 29, is eyeing a place in the World Championships in New Zealand.
“I said to Craig before the race it was make or break,” Brown told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“I’ve been doing triathlons for just over four and a half years, and this was my first 70.3 event.
“Training under Craig, I’ve seen so much improvement in the year and a half I have been under his guidance.
“I’ve gone from sprint to Olympic to 70.3 distance and I loved it.”
The Ashmore based triathlete surprised herself to be second out of the water in her first attempt at the half Ironman distance and was equal third coming off the bike leg.
Brown faded slightly to finish 8th overall, but It was all the motivation she needed.
“Now having that experience, my goal now is to continue to get stronger,” Brown said.
“It’s such a strength race. I found my run legs weren’t necessarily there, but it was a great starting point.
“My goal is to now pursue the 70.3 distance and to try to qualify for the World Championships in Taupo on November 28.
“Making World’s would be a dream come true. I’m putting in the hours at training.
“It’s a sport that takes years to master and I don’t think you ever master it. I’m fairly new to it all. My background is track running -- 800m and 400m hurdles at a national level. So triathlon is definitely a change of scenery.”
It’s a far cry from her first sprint triathlon just under five years ago.
“The first sprint triathlon I did in Robina was the toughest race in my life,” she said.
“I don’t know how I managed to sign up for another one after that. I couldn’t lift my legs off the bike. It was more of a walk and a little embarrassing.
“I was adamant that I had to improve and do it for more fitness, I never thought I’d aspire to compete professionally.”