Corporal Sean Bonsey knows a challenge when he sees one - and it was the challenge which drew him back to a sport that tests mental and physical rigour.

And if his return after a four-year absence wasn't enough, Sean mastered the hit-out in Malaysia. The tropical conditions proved tough; however, the airman achieved his race goal with a finish.

Sean typically trains for four months in race preparation, but with a base level of fitness he had just enough time to prepare for the overseas event. The primary purpose of the Malaysian sojourn was to holiday.

At this point Sean, who had been contemplating a return to competition, consulted his wife, Margrett and changed a few bookings to incorporate the business end of triathlon.

Very early in the piece, Sean struggled with typical race occurances.

'I dislocated my finger, got kicked in the head and lost my watch in the swim; it was a problem finger - I was able to pop it back in and continue.'

Another difficulty for Sean in the swim was the race rule that prevented competitors wearing a wetsuit, which provides buoyancy in the race confusion.

'The bike ride went well despite the hilly course and hot conditions. It wasn't until I got into the run leg were I began to experience vomiting and diarrhoea. In the medical tent thereafter, receiving two litres of saline IV, I discovered several others copping the same. We'd been supplied dodgy water.

'I wasn't competing against anybody, and I don't think in ironman anyone is, except the elite professionals. It's such a long day; you cannot afford to be caught up in someone else's race. Pacing is critical,' said Sean.

Sean began competing in 1991, but gave racing away when a friend was killed during a bike training leg. 'That was part of the reason it took me a long time to get back into the sport; I lost a mate of mine down in Sale - he had six children.

'The bike bothered me after that for a couple of years and this has been recently highlighted by Luke Harrop's death. And that's the most dangerous part of training - it's a constant worry, but take measures to make yourself as safe as possible.'

In sporting terms, triathlon is considered an extreme pursuit - especially given the ironman version of events can take the worlds best, up to 10 hours in course completion.

Of the 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride, and 42 km run, Sean claims to prefer the bike. 'The bike is critical, especially in the longer courses; when you consider the overall time the event takes.'

According to Sean, physical conditioning is the key to successfully competing in triathlon events, as is training in conjunction with nutrition and hydration.

'With triathlon, it's the duration and nature of the training - definitely a lifestyle. Nothing like when I played league; we'd train maybe two or three times a week and rock up to the game on Sunday - that was it,' Sean said.

But the way Sean explains it, that's the enjoyment. 'I enjoy being fit with two young kids and quite physical work; but it can be difficult to strike that balance. You have to be fairly structured and there are sacrifices all round - saying that, the family is an excellent support team.'

The rest of 2002, the Darwin PTI will compete locally in a build up to competing the ironman distance in Australia, New Zealand and Vanuatu.

Sean's thanks go to Margrett and children, Amylee and Karla for their immediate support, and Corporal Timmy Ellison, a fellow triathlete and 'good bloke, for his advice and motivation'.

Story by Amber McKinnon