By Alana Mitchelson
GROW takes a look at what those in business and industry do when they are not working – what drives them at home and away from the office, shop or factory floor. We discover that Car MegaMart’s Karlie Thexton has a passion for triathlons, as ALANA MITCHELSON reports.
IN THE ocean, Karlie Thexton is in her element.
She thrived in swimming squads throughout her childhood but up until about six years ago she had only ever ridden a mountain bike and would not have described herself as a natural runner.
Karlie has now challenged herself to about 20 triathlons across Australia.
Her alarm clock typically sounds at 4.45am and off she goes for a run or a spin on the bike to keep fit.
Her interest in the three-part endurance event began when she caved in on her brother’s constant nagging to take part in her first triathlon.
“My brother is a triathlon coach so he’d wanted me to try one for years,” Karlie said.
“But it wasn’t until about six years ago when I thought I would give it a go.”
She trained for her first triathlon on a mountain bike because it was the only bike she had ever owned and it was all she knew.
She later bought a race bike and knocked off a reasonable chunk of time because it was that much lighter.
Karlie said she found the running leg most challenging to prepare for as it was the least familiar to her. She would run 500 metres, then walk 500 metres and gradually increase the distance and build her speed.
“I loved the feeling afterwards; that sense of achievement,” she said.
“Now triathlons are my thing.”
But during the working week grind, Karlie has established herself as a prominent local businesswoman in a male dominant industry overseeing all marketing and accounting processes for Car MegaMart’s Pakenham complex.
She liaises with all dealers in the 18 car yards that span over 35 acres, working directly under the developer Ray Weinzierl.
“I get excited about going to work. I think I’ve found my niche,” Karlie said.
“No two days are the same. I start each week with a to-do list but the plan can change quickly. There’s always heaps to do. My role’s a huge responsibility and sometimes it has its challenges, but I like having that responsibility.
“Another three yards will be opening in the next four weeks so we’ll have more cars and more caravans.
“It is a fairly high stress role, especially at the end of each month, and it does take a bit of juggling but I try to block out parts of the day for different areas of my role.”
Karlie said she has found that exercise helps her de-stress and in turn perform better at work.
She tries to commit to exercising for one to two hours every morning.
“It’s a good way to clear your mind of things that might be going on at work or in your personal life and helps you think more clearly about how to approach thing in a better way at work,” Karlie said.
“It’s also one of the rare times when I don’t have my phone with me.”
Through participating in triathlons across Melbourne, New South Wales and Queensland, Karlie has had the opportunity to meet a group of likeminded people.
She plans to compete in three triathlons by the end of the year and is excited for her favourite event, the Mooloolaba Triathlon, in March.
“The idea of a triathlon got me determined to learn a new skill,” she said.
“It’s good to challenge yourself outside of work. The Half IronMan in Cairns last year was the biggest physical and mental challenge I’ve ever had and it makes you feel like you can do anything.”
