There was a recent Times article asking the same question. I think it's 'cos we're all rich middle-class folk with mid-life crises - there were a *lot* of fortysomething ladies "having a go". And NZ is just that sorta country...

To be honest, the appeal is N-fold. First, tri is alluringly "elite" - I like that, it's a cool club and I'm sufficiently shallow. Second, I train best with benchmarks, and these are as good as any. Third, I want to get some serious physical conditioning in before brain-rot puts paid to that - I'd *hate* to realise I'd missed my chance. Fourth, I'm a kit queen and there are so many beautiful toys. And there are probably more... I quite like the "big ask" - little asks can be coasted through, I like the pressure of scary demands.