SUE Ross is a 36-year-old mother of four-year-old twins who works as a mechanical engineer for a firm in Wan Chai.
And in her spare time she is one of Hong Kong's top female triathletes, who's expected to mount the territory's best challenge to world-ranked number four Susanne Nielsen of Denmark in the ASTC International Triathlon at Plover Cove on April 22.
'It's not easy having a career, being a mother and doing triathlons. But I have very good home help and a supportive spouse,' New Zealand-born Ross said.
'The children come along to the races. It's part of our life. Our holidays are arranged so I can compete in races overseas.
'I don't let the training infringe on my work although I do come back from swimming at Wan Chai pool at lunchtimes looking like a drowned rat with chlorine in my eyes. I do my running and cycling training either early in the morning before I go to work or in the evening after I put the children to bed.' Ross says she got into triathlon 30 months ago because splitting her effort between three disciplines ensures all-over body toning and reduces the chance of injuries associated with intensive training in just one of the sports.
'I used to just do running but I kept getting injuries. Running is good for the legs and cardio-vascular system but runners' upper bodies tend to be spindly,' she said.