Owens tries first pro Tri

From sweating-it-out behind a pizza oven to pounding the pavement with the world’s best on the Sunshine Coast, it has been a long journey for Bunbury triathlete Chris Owens.

A full-time university student and part-time Joe’s Pizza employee, Owens turned pro late last year and is now in the final stages of preparation for his first professional triathlon in Mooloolaba, Queensland this weekend.

“I’ve been training twice a day but have had to fit that around university up in Perth and work down here, ” Owens said.

"If I look back over the last eight weeks, at the workload I’ve gone through, it really blows my mind.”

A gifted runner and more than competent cyclist, since the start of the year Owens has been concentrating on his swimming — an area that held him back as an amateur.

“Swimming is definitely my weakest leg, ” he said.

“Most of the guys that I compete against have been training in the pool since they were kids but I’ve only been in a swim squad for the past six months.

“It has been tough going but earlier this month I beat my personal best over 1500m by 70 seconds which is a massive confidence boost ahead of this race.”

Also working in Owens’ favour is the fact that he is no stranger to the Mooloolaba Triathlon, finishing on the podium there as an amateur last year.

“I came third there as an age-grouper, which actually qualified me for the age group World Championships, ” he said.

“I had to pass on the offer because of university commitments but I’m excited about competing there again even though it is a pretty tough course.

“Because it is such a massive event, the starting waves begin at 6am and go until 9.30am and as an amateur I was towards the back of that last year.

“What that meant was coming on to the run it was already about 35 or 36 degrees and in the humidity on the Sunshine Coast you really feel the heat.”

Now starting as a pro, Owens is hoping to avoid the worst of the heat and make up some time on the final leg of the race.

“I took out the fastest run there in the 20 -24 age group and I’m hoping to mix it with the big boys this time around.

“It’s my first hit out and I’d be happy with anything under two hours — I’m definitely not expecting another podium.”