Be The Inspiration: Andrea Hewitt

As she prepares for her third Olympic Games, Andrew Hewitt knows the key to success is being smart.

“It’s about knowing yourself, knowing your body. And knowing there’s always a race to come,” says the experienced triathlete, who’s competed for New Zealand for over a decade.

Although the Olympic triathlon event is only two hours long, Hewitt will train 30 hours or more each week. But she does so with a careful plan in place – and knows to listen to her body, which will tell her exactly when she’s done enough.

“You have to be smart about your training. You have to know when to push yourself and when you need to back off,"

"You have to know your limits and know yourself. It’s important to take your time - there are no shortcuts,” she says.

Since tackling her first triathlon in 2005, Hewitt has learned that it’s important not to “race” her training – to not push herself too hard or try to make gains too quickly. Consistency is key.

And although she will train through all pain, she stays smart about keeping well. “If I know it’s going to rain, I won’t go for a bike ride because I might catch a cold. I’ll go for a run or swim instead.”

The hours she spends on the bike, in the water or hitting the road on foot are critical to building up the endurance she will need to call on on race day. She enjoys training – “it’s the easy part” – and every day she focuses on each of the three triathlon disciplines. 

“When I started triathlon, I came from surf lifesaving so swimming was my strength and running my weakness. I really worked on [running] especially with strength endurance. Now I think this year my swimming has got weaker! But I know that the race always finishes with a run, and that’s the most important, so that’s my focus,” Hewitt says.

While some triathletes start their trainings in the early morning and finish early, Hewitt prefers to start later and spread her training across the day, so she’s well rested.  

 “Preparation is key – it’s all about preparation. Then racing becomes a lot easier.”  

Hewitt, who was eighth at the Beijing Olympics and sixth in London four years ago, prides herself on staying injury-free through her 11-year international career.

She loves racing and travelling the world, and meeting new people.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m so far away [from home], but with all the support back home, it’s amazing,” she says.  “It’s exciting to know that you’re the best in the country, and then competing for your country, it’s cool to wear the New Zealand uniform and be part of the team.”

“If it means that I’m inspiring others, then that’s a good thing.”