Kelly admits her prowess in the kayak still isn’t great. So if conditions look like being rough, she’ll watch the action from the sidelines.

“I did the familiarisation race earlier this year,’’ she explains.

“It was pretty rough then and I ended up halfway to New Zealand. But hopefully the weather will be good and I’ll be able to do both days.’’

Kelly will start on Sunday regardless as the kayak section will be conducted on Wallis Lake.

She went in the first day’s competition last year.

“Well, you have to go to the next level, don’t you,’’ she replied when asked why she opted for the two this time around.

Kelly, 41, was second in her age division for the first day in 2007. However, she’s not sure how she’ll fare this time around.

“The last time I had a look at the field there were more women in my age division than there are in the men’s,’’ she said.

“I don’t know why that is. Maybe there are more old bags like me who get the competitive urge again.’’

Kelly has a background in triathlons but hasn’t been too involved in the sport since 1993.

Originally from Geelong, she decided to enter the Anaconda last year as she knows the race director, who also hails from the city. She figured that if it is good enough for him to travel all the way here, as a local, she could support the race as well. And it also presented an opportunity to get fit again.

Kelly says she’s enjoyed training.

“We have a beautiful climate here and wonderful scenery and training is another way to enjoy it.’’

Kelly’s done most of the swimming preparation on her own but has joined various groups for running and bike riding, which she says makes it easier.

However, her improved fitness hasn’t sparked a desire to return to triathlons. Kelly rates adventure racing as a much more agreeable sport.

“Triathlons are all one pace, flat out pounding up the road. There are different challenges with adventure racing, with fast and slow sections over different courses,’’ she explains.

Kelly understands there will be changes to the timing of the Anaconda next year.

“I’ve heard it will be put back six months to the following April, with other races added to the series,’’ she said.

If that’s correct Kelly has 1½ years to decide whether she wants to enter the next race.

However, one thing is for sure and certain. Kelly will keep training.

“I know what it’s like to be unfit. That’s not going to happen again,’’ she said.