Susie Aviss couldn't fool her family in Masterton when she told them not to expect much from her at the 2008 World Long Distance Duathlon Championships.
"Don't go getting your hopes up, I'm feeling a bit sluggish," Wairarapa-born Aviss wrote in an email, before proving herself wrong and winning gold in the 35-39 age group in Geel, Belgium, at the weekend.
Her sister, Brenda Ellmers, who waited in the early hours of Monday morning for the result, wasn't surprised.
"She's determined. She likes a challenge and she likes to do everything well."
Mrs Ellmers struggled to wait until 6.45am to phone parents Murray and Nola Powell with the good news.
The gruelling race, which comprised a 20km run, 80km cycle and 10km run, was the 37-year-old's first win at the annual championships.
Aviss, who also managed the eight-strong New Zealand contingent, said racing conditions were "really rough", with athletes battling wind and rain after a week of weather reaching 32C.
"Many athletes really struggled. Also the challenge of riding around the wet and slippery cobbles in the city of Geel took its toll on many."
However, it didn't stop the former Tararua College pupil dominating the field with a time of 4hr, 12sec, which saw her place fifth across all age groups.
"We all sort of thought she would do it," Mr Powell said.
"We don't know what she meant when she said she was feeling sluggish, though. Maybe the cobblestones were that hot that she had to run really fast."
He said Aviss, who now lives in Blenheim, always had a passion for running.
"Running certainly isn't a family trait but she loves it. She's a real workaholic."
Susie wins gold in duathlon
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