It can be a difficult juggling act to fit training at a top level into the business of life. That's especially so when you have a young family.

Lucy and Matt Newberry have a partial solution as Matt prepares to represent New Zealand in the Aquathlon World Championships in Auckland in 12 days time.

The race involves a combination of swim and run. Matt swims at the ASB pool early in the morning, while the rest of the family sleeps.

Twice a week, the Richmond truck mechanic runs with Athletics Nelson. Lucy joins in, doing a walk-run while pushing Amelie, 2 , and 6-month-old Nicholas in a double buggy.

"When you invest so much physically, mentally and financially into a sport such as triathlon, I think it's impossible to give it 100 per cent without family support," Matt says.

"There's no better motivation than my daughter screaming ‘go daddy go' and I can barely remember doing an event or run without seeing them on the finish line."

It's been a busy couple of years for the Newberrys - a new country, new family and plenty of new challenges.

"My family and I emigrated to NZ in October 2010 and I spent the first year mainly concentrating on road biking and runs and swimming as, and when, I could. In 2011, I completed Challenge Wanaka - a full ironman distance triathlon -

and the Taupo half ironman.

"I did my first triathlon in the UK in the summer of 2009. I have always been a keen runner and swimmer but never took much interest in road biking," Matt says. "After this tri I was hooked and I've never looked back.

"The following year (and several triathlons and half ironmans later) I completed the UK Ironman in August, 2010.

"The next month I swam the English Channel in a two-man relay team, taking just under 17 hours. This was my biggest and, by far, my toughest challenge to date."

Nelson hosted the Aquathlon National Championship in February, giving Nelson competitors the perfect chance to qualify for the world event.

"I was delighted to qualify in my age group for world championships in Auckland. I have spent the last six months training hard," he says.

"I approached Jon Linyard to see if he could help me with a training programme. He has been a real help and I started swimming with him and his group at the ASB pool three to four mornings a week.

“This training has not only helped develop and improve my swimming but my overall fitness and running has gone up another level, which I am really pleased about.

"I am really looking forward to the world champs - the nerves are starting to kick in a bit now with only a short time to go, but I really do feel proud to be representing my adopted country, something I never thought was within my reach.

"Next year, I have the Lake Wanaka Half and NZ Ironman Taupo booked in so after the world championships I will be upping my long-distance training."

- © Fairfax NZ News