Plenty of work for Johnson

Former Magpies captain Michael Johnson is preparing for the Tremains Triathlon next week - but he has to finish Ironman New Zealand first. Photo / File

How long does it take to recover from swimming 3.8km, cycling 180km and then running a full marathon?

Former Magpies captain Michael Johnson is hoping eight days will be enough time to catch his breath, so he can compete in the annual Tremains Triathlon next Sunday.

First, he'll debut in Ironman New Zealand in Taupo this Saturday.

He is usually a spectator at the event and this is the first time he plans to go the full distance, after doing the half in December last year.

"It's a big day at the office," he joked of the challenge, widely considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world.

"Recovery-wise I don't know how I'm going to be feeling."

However, he still planned to run the 5km leg of the Tremains Triathlon nine days later - for him and two local mates, it has become tradition.

His team, the GMT Rockets, won the men's kayak section of the triathlon last year.

"We've done Tremains for the last three years in a row. It's a good event, we enjoy it and have a bit of a laugh."

The triathlon, of which Hawke's Bay Today is a sponsor, is the second-largest multi-sport team event in the region.

The 2015 triathlon will again begin at 10.30am at Pandora Pond, where the swimmers will hit the water followed by the kayakers.

The triathlon will finish at The Esplanade Domain, Westshore and there will be free buses to transport swimmers and supporters from Pandora Pond to this area.

The main transition area, registration point and tent area will remain at The Esplanade Domain.

For more information and to enter your team online, visit: www.trihb.kiwi/event/tremains-triathlon