In 2009, were taking a risk when they dove headlong into the life of full-time professional triathletes.
With no other means of income and no guarantee of success in a mentally and physically demanding sport, it was a leap of faith for the Wurteles.
Eight years later, the Kelowna couple has no regrets.
At 38 and in the primes of their careers, the Wurteles are two of Canada91裸聊视频檚 most successful long course pro triathletes.
Heather is a , a three-time podium finisher at the Ironman World Championships, and a four-time Canadian Long Course Triathlete of the Year.
This weekend in Penticton, she hopes to add to her extensive collection of hardware when she competes in the long distance event at the ITU World Multisport Championships.
Trevor, a consistent top-five finisher wherever he competes, is coming off a big victory earlier this year in Belgium at Challenge Geraardsbergen.
The 2013 Ironman Canada champ, Trevor also had three second-place showings last year in Ironman 70.3 events.
To see how far they91裸聊视频檝e come since those uncertain early days is a source of satisfaction and accomplishment for the husband-and-wife team.
91裸聊视频淟ooking back, it was the best decision we could have made at the time,91裸聊视频� said Trevor Wurtele who, like Heather, grew up in Vernon. 91裸聊视频淲hen we made that full commitment, the first year or two were nerve-wracking because we weren91裸聊视频檛 making much money. But we just hung in there and stuck with it and it91裸聊视频檚 worked out,91裸聊视频� he added. 91裸聊视频淚 couldn91裸聊视频檛 imagine what else we91裸聊视频檇 be doing now.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been quite an adventure and we consider ourselves to be incredibly lucky and happy to be doing this for a living.91裸聊视频�
Still, the Wurteles91裸聊视频� prosperity in the sport hasn91裸聊视频檛 come without its share of blood, sweat, tears and hard work.
For 5 1/2 years, the two spent their competitive seasons living out of an RV.
The level of training required, managing recovery, attention to nutrition, remaining on top of social media, and staying connected with their sponsors has been a full-time endeavour for both athletes.
Nothing quite like the fitness (and fatigue) that comes from hard open water swimming! The scenery and mental stim91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频� H & T Wurtele (@TeamWurtele)
Heather said having their training and life partners beside each other for every step of the journey has been crucial to both their longevity and success in the sport.
91裸聊视频淲ith some of the tough times and hard work along the way, we wouldn91裸聊视频檛 be doing this if it wasn91裸聊视频檛 for each other,91裸聊视频� said Heather who, like Trevor, typically trains 26 to 29 hours per week. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e been very supportive of each other and when there are struggles, we91裸聊视频檙e there for each other and pick each other up. We goof around, too, when it91裸聊视频檚 needed and just have fun when we can.
91裸聊视频淲hen we decided to do this, we were staring a life change in the face, so we knew we had to stick together. There are no regrets in having gone for it.91裸聊视频�
When Heather takes to the course this weekend in Penticton, Trevor will be in Austria preparing for his next race on the European Challenge triathlon circuit.
In addition to vying for a podium finish at the ITU Multisport World Championships, Heather plans on enjoying all the benefits that competing at home has to offer.
91裸聊视频淎t ITU events we wear Team Canada kits so the focus is more about racing for your country than usual, it91裸聊视频檚 nice to feel like part of a team,91裸聊视频� Heather said. 91裸聊视频淎 lot of people in Kelowna are talking about this event, so that makes it fun, too. I think it91裸聊视频檚 just a fun festival throughout.91裸聊视频�
Heather and Trevor will reunite later this year when both prepare to compete at international triathlon competitions in Sardinia and Mallorca, Spain.
