Bateson on track for Ironman debut

In the lead-up to his 33th birthday this Saturday, Bateson is racking up the kilometres in the pool, cycling on the roads, or running through the bush near home.

It's all part of the build-up to the Geelong half-marathon triathlon on February 20, and Shepparton half-marathon triathlon on March 13.

Both showdowns will be a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle, 21.1km run and be crucial to preparation for the Cairns Ironman on June 12 where he tackle a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle, and 42.2km run.

"It will be my first time racing at Cairns," Bateson said of last year's event being cancelled.

A speedy and skilful onballer or midfielder on the footy field with Sandhurst and then Natte Bealiba, Bateson took on triathlons in 2020.

"To complete an ironman was always on the bucket list,'' he said.

"Once the 2020 footy season was cancelled I put time into training for a triathlon."

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He raced at Geelong in 2020, and Shepparton last year.

"Both races were a great challenge. The ocean swim at Geelong was not easy," he said of competing on a course along the Eastern Beach precinct.

"Shepparton is a swim in the lake and a much flatter course."

Bateson said Nathan Meade, a gun triathlete who was a team-mate at Sandhurst Football Netball Club, had played a big part in his triathlon journey.

"I have gained a lot of racing and training tips from Nathan."

Bateson also linked up with Trevor Watchman for cycling tips.

"He's a huge help. Cycling is the leg I need to keep working at.

"It's a lot of fun training with mates and I have had a lot of support from the Bendigo Triathlon Club and various runners in Bendigo.

"You might gain a couple of minutes by improving in the swim, but it's the cycling where you can gain or lose a lot of ground."

In peak training, Bateson does three swimming sessions per week with the Bendigo Tri Club at Bendigo East pool.

Cycling is three times per week and will be effort, easy, and a long ride.

Run workouts are four times per week and will be effort, easy, run after cycle training, and then a long run.

Bateson and fiancé Heather Oliver, a dual WNBL championship winner with Bendigo Spirit, and multiple A-grade premiership player with Sandhurst have two sons - Theo, two, and Lenny, one.

"I couldn't do this without the support of them and the wider family."

A mum of two, Heather's play on the netball court earned the Betty Thompson Medal as best and fairest in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League's A-grade competition on two occasions.

Bateson is a physical education teacher for prep to year 12 at Marist College in Maiden Gully.

Last month, Bateson competed in the Melbourne Marathon for the first time and clocked a fine time of two hours and 55 minutes.

"The final five ks were incredibly tough, but I was rapt to have run the distance and the time."

After coaching Natte Bealiba to consecutive preliminary finals and then runner-up in 2018, Bateson marked premiership success as a player when the Swans beat power club Carisbrook by four points in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League grand final in 2019.

"The Cairns Ironman is number one priority, but I have told the (footy) club I want to play again," Bateson said of his sporting plans for 2022.

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