SHE'S IRON-WILLED

FEARLESS Ruth Tucker is in training to take on a second challenge of iron will in Australia after successfully representing Bahrain in one of the most gruelling competitions in the world.

She earned a coveted 'Ironman' accolade in a challenging triathlon event staged in China recently.

Ruth finished sixth in her age category out of 400 international participants that included around 30 professional athletes.

"Less than one per cent of the world's population has ever completed an Ironman competition and I chose to represent Bahrain in this prestigious race," said the 37-year-old who has been living in Bahrain for 13 years and considers the island more her home now than her native Cambridge in England.

With a stringent time limit for each event, Ruth beat all the odds and completed the 3.8 kilometre swim, 180 kilometre bike and a 42.2 kilometre run in Haikou, in the Hainan province in China. She finished the triathlon well before the 17-hour time limit and clocked in 13 hours and 28 minutes at the finish line.

She said: "I had always said that I would never do an Ironman race because the distances were absolutely crazy. But when I achieved a half Ironman distance in Dubai in February this year I just knew that I had to do it.

"I craved the challenge then but it was hard work and although the race is very physical a lot has got to do with mental strength also. Many a time during the race I wanted to sit down but determination to finish kept me going."

Swimming against a strong current in the River Nandu where 200 metres into the swim she got stuck on a buoy in the river, cycling through volcanic parks in temperatures reaching as high as 45 degree Celsius and finally running the last leg of the race with water sponges and ice to cool herself down were just some of the hardships that Ruth endured to reach the finish line.

"I kept eating energy gels every 20 minutes and marmite sandwiches for calories and, of course, drank copious amounts of water and Gatorade to keep me hydrated. By the end of the race I had lost 6,500 calories," said the iron woman of Bahrain.

Ironman is the most respected names in triathlon since its inception 31 years ago and is known for its harsh weather conditions and exhausting distances which push its participants to their ultimate levels of endurance.

It is not for the faint-hearted and more than 100 participants failed to finish the race in China.

"Reaching the finish line was an incredible moment. It was very emotional and I was crying as I was nearing the end. The race is really a challenge against your own self and not other participants and this is the reason why other competitors encourage their fellow participants to keep going."

Ruth trained for 12 to 14 hours per week for five months before the event and cut down on fatty foods and consumed additional protein and carbohydrates to achieve her optimum fitness level.

"Swimming was my weakness so I took lessons to improve my skills. I biked with a friend who is a former UK cycling champion and redesigned my fitness programme to increase endurance training. I was at my fittest when I went for the race," said the Budaiya resident who regularly did 32 kilometres run in her neighbourhoods of Jasra, Budaiya, and Janabiyah as part of her training.

Ruth is national carrier Gulf Air's athletics manager and training instructor for cabin service and flies with the national carrier as a cabin service manager.

She was never particularly athletic when she was growing up. In fact she was a smoker until five years ago and quit cold turkey when she noticed that her habit was affecting her new-found passion for running.

She competed in her first race ever in 2004 at the World Airline Road Race in Kula Lumpur where she represented Gulf Air and hasn't looked back since. Ruth's running and fitness bug has extended to her workplace where she regularly organises walkathons, marathons, fun runs and airport relays to promote fitness amongst Gulf Air staff.

She represents the airline in marathons and other sporting events all over the world. Her Ironman achievement has encouraged her friends, family and colleagues to seek her help to realise their personal fitness goals.

"My aim now is to compete in the Ironman event in Australia at the end of the year with my boyfriend and finish the triathlon in less than 12 hours," she said holding up her coconut Ironman finisher medal proudly.