Jane reckons having kids makes you stronger and events like these are not exclusive to the young and fit. “Older athletes tend to perform better in endurance races. We may not be as fast as we used to, but our endurance levels are higher.”
This year alone, Jane has competed in some pretty tough events, including the Comrades. “We’ve also done the Sani to Sea, a three day mountain bike event. Iron Man was in April. It was my fifth consecutive entry. We do a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42km run. This has to be completed in 17 hours. In May I did the African X with my partner Denbeigh Knight. It’s a three day trail run, of 27km, 42km and 20km. It’s a team event and you have to run together.”
While the Brewers’ garage is filled with bikes, helmets, shoes and paraphernalia, their daughters’ play room is cluttered with dolls, toys and girlie things. “Our children are used to us training and travelling! They’re happier at home and we have a wonderful support system with our parents.” Sarah (7) and Robyn (5) are nippers and may well follow in their athletic parents’ footprints.
Despite training 15-18 hours a week, Jane also holds down two part time jobs, two full time daughters, a husband and four gorgeous Labradors! “I do part time book-keeping for Myles and my dad, plus I rep for Hammer Nutritions.”
Jane believes that to avoid sports injuries, it’s important to cross-train, for example swim and run/cycle and swim and exercise at the gym. “Rest and recovery is under-rated. The body needs to rest; I think we all tend to train too hard.”
Exhausted by just listening to Jane, I wonder where she finds the time and energy to do all of this!