Hockley, 32, placed second in the 30 to 34 age group in the Western Australian ironman in December to earn a coveted ticket.

“It was the first time the game plan really came together on race day, to get a place,” she said.

Hockley has not been in the sport long.

“It’s been four years of building blocks, finishing races and getting a little quicker,” she said.

The infamously tough race – 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42km run – is a nine hour ordeal, for the fastest women.

“Being my first, this is one event that I will be just glad to finish,” Hockley said.

Krystle and Josh Hockley live at Cooranbong but are among many who travel to Port Stephens each month as members of the popular Tomaree Tri Club.

“Josh is always the one who’s done one better,” Krystle said.

“He finished seventh in ‘WA’ but he’s still hopeful he’ll qualify too, there’s still time.”

She said their motivation was quite simple.

“There’s no better feeling than being super fit and feeling like you can do anything,” Hockley said.

“I’ll be preparing all year but the ironman specific prep won’t start until five months out.”

The race is on October 14.