The New Zealand triathlete Debbie Tanner will step into the unknown when she lines up in the opening ITU World Championship series in Sydney on Sunday.
Tanner knows she needs a big season if she's to qualify for the Olympics in London but must first overcome an off season affected by serious rehabilitation of her troublesome Achilles tendons.
She tore both in November and says she should have listened to her body then and taken time off but didn't and paid a price over summer.
Tanner says the injury's meant she's had to change her routine, taking to the pool for aqua running as well as increasing her swim and bike workouts.
The 28-year-old is one of four New Zealand women on the start line on Sunday afternoon, with Andrea Hewitt, Nicky Samuels and Anna Cleaver.
