COMPLETE PERFORMANCE TEAM - ATHLETES

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We consider every one of our Athletes a part of the Complete Performance Team / Family. Below are the stories of a few inspiring athletes who prove that you too can achieve success.

We are also currently sponsoring two athletes - check out their profiles below.

Complete Performance's coaching system is tried and tested and modelled on international best practice.  We believe in continuing to push those boundaries and that is what our sponsored athletes are for...  At the sharp end of their sport a 1% performance improvement matters so this forces us to continue to learn and develop as we help chase those small performance improvements.

Find out more about our sponsored athletes: Fleur Pawsey, Braden Currie

Sponsored athlete 1: Fleur Pawsey

Name 3 key results that you are most proud of...

My best results are winning the Coast to Coast Longest Day in 2007 and being in the runner up team at the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge for two years running. I’m proud of them, but I felt proudest when I completed the Longest Day for the first time. It seemed like such a step into the unknown, the thought of it scared the heck out of me, and it felt unreal to make it to the finish line.

What are the things that you find the most challenging about multisport?

Finding time to fit everything in, and keeping on top of the endless pile of dirty washing from training clothes!!

What are your goals for the season?

I’m aiming to be on the Coast to Coast start line in February; my goal is to get myself there fit, healthy and injury free, and to race to my full potential. After that I’ll switch focus to the Godzone Adventure Race, an expedition race to be held in Queenstown next Easter. I’m racing there with a team from R&R Sport; this one is all about having a good time (well, as much as can be had in an four to five day non-stop race where sleep is optional!!)

Click here for Fleur's full interview

Sponsored athlete 2: Braden Currie

Name 3 key results that you are most proud of:

• 1^st Teva 2008 - Because the year before I blew out in the paddle whilst in the lead but ended finishing 4th as I spent 10minutes on the bank cramping
• 1^st Mission to Marlborough 2008 - Because it was my first three day stage race 
• 2^nd Anaconda National adventure race series 2011 - Because I put so much into training specifically for the series event, as well as teaching myself to swim in 3months. 

What are your goals for the season?

Top three one day coast to coast

What is your background?

I grew up just outside of Methven on a farm, where I was lucky enough to have the outdoors on my doorstep. Spent my childhood riding bikes, hunting, fishing, skiing and snowboarding. But from age 9, I acquired the nickname of slug, because I was fat and slow and had a tendency to roll around on the ground like a slug. After leaving school I had the chance to work overseas for Full On, as a means to go climbing and see the world.

What is your favourite race and why?

The Teva because its based around my home town and the trail run is one of the more challenging trail runs around NZ.

Click here for Braden's full interview

 Lyndal Donnelly

Events I am training for: Arrowsmith MTB Race, Lake Heron & 4hr Solo Hanmer Springs

How did you get into Mountain Biking? Did track & road cycling as a teenager, progressed to a bit of running (because of needing to do it for work fitness tests) then had a crack at Tri’s & ½ IM. Concentrated on running for a while & did the full SBS marathon but kept re-injuring my Achilles so decided to concentrate on cycling, however ... rd riding bored me so decided to try MTB which I couldn’t do very well so ... was extremely bothered about being beaten by something & wanted to get better technically & then realised how awesome, challenging but rewarding it is & the rest is history.

My favourite event so far is: I can’t give you a favourite as such. Each one has different memories that I love from my 1st season when I sucked at most of them to the second & subsequent seasons after starting with you & feeling the improvements & getting the results. My 1st podium in the 6hr solo was very special but then so was completing the 12hr solo last year for 2nd + all the others in between. Improving fitness & strength of course, rate right up there but then achieving the results in races with the technical element are such a buzz.

Inspirational quote:  “Imagine what you could do if you knew you couldn’t fail”. Plus the one that gets me out on the crappy days: “Winners train, losers complain”.

Favourite recovery food:  Tin Goose Tuna Salad

 Sue Johnson

Events I am training for: gold coast marathon

My favourite event so far: kepler challenge

Inspirational quote :" no matter our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born"- Dr Dale Turner.

Favourite recovery food: vanilla milk shake

 Leigh Davidson

Events I am training for: Ultimate event is to do the Kepler Challenge in December this year. I haven't run this far before, some 60 plus km's, but have done a few marathons. Off road running is new for me and the challenge I am committing myself to. We, my coach Karen and I, are working towards the Hanmer Half Marathon, Cooks Landing along the beautiful Queen Charlotte track and then theAbel Tasman event. Then the biggie!!

My favourite event so far is: The Buller Marathon I think would have to be a favourite, and the half marathon. It is well supported and great event to do with a big group of friends. We keep going back year after year so it must be a favourite.

Inspirational quote: Something I learnt from Outward Bound in February this year, "there is more in you".

Favourite recovery food: Trim flat white then home corn chowder and crusty bread.

 Lance Griffin

Training for: Tour Divide mountain bike race.

Recommended event: Anything that leaves a good impression

Inspirational quote:The only limits we have are the ones we impose

Favourite recovery food: Chocolate milk, case of corona  (sorry rosie)

 Helen Keast

Events Training For: New Zealand Hockey Masters 4 test series against Australia and the 12 hour Spring Challenge

Previous Events: 2010 NZ Hockey Masters team test series against Australia, Couple of small duathlons, Spring Challenge, Mt Isobel Challenge, Hanmer Duathlon, Hanmer Spring Crusher MTB, Moa Beer Moa Hunt MTB, Motatapu MTB, Heights of Winter Rogaines, Eve of Harvest Rogaine, R&R Sport Rogaines

Any new/different MTB single tracks or epic MTB rides. Slowly working my through rides in Mountain Biking South written by Dave Mitchell.

Favorite Recovery Food: Banana smoothie with honey cinnamon lite vanilla yoghurt and ground LSA. Also- iced raspberry jam buns

Quotes: I’m going to be greedy and give you my 2 favorites cos I like them both…"Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best".

"If you train hard you’ll not only be hard, you’ll be hard to beat".

 Anneke van Heyningen

Training for the Canterbury Schools Cross Country Champs and trying to qualify for the Inter-regionals this year.

Recommended event: I haven't competed in many events but my Mum did the New York marathon last year and that was awesome!!

Inspirational quote: "When the going gets tough... the tough get going"

Favourite Recovery Food: Chocolate Fish!

Robyn Twemlow

“Six years ago as a new mum I developed severe postnatal depression & was hospitalised for treatment. Three years later following the birth of my second daughter I developed a bipolar disorder.  The combination of medication and depression became an excuse to eat what I liked and not bother to exercise.

In September last year I weighed 127.4kgs.  In August 2009 I decided it was time to take back control of my life and stop making excuses.  

I am riding the Girls on Bikes event as a fundraiser for Mothers Matter, a support network for women dealing with postnatal depression, and likewise riding Around Brunner as a fundraiser for the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. This is my way of raising awareness of mental illness and my way of thanking those people who have helped me along the way.”

Follow Robyn’s progress here.

Follow Ruth and her partner Andrews adventures through a summer of cycling - whether its donning on the lycra to race with the roadies or scrapping the dirt off their happy faces like true mountain bikers - all in the pursuit to raise awareness for Parkinson's disease and some money along the way too!

 
Check out Ruth’s build up to the 2011 Graperide Magnum (www.graperide.co.nz) 202KM and two laps of this iconic course and then two weeks later on the 125km mountain bike around Lake Hawea in the Contact Epic (www.contactepic.co.nz).