Greenwood (31) leaves for Europe tomorrow to prepare for the Challenge Roth long-distance triathlon in Germany on July 13 and will be met at Zurich airport by two satisfied customers she served at Wanaka sports shop Racer's Edge in January.
Her Swiss hosts, athletes Annette and Ivo Forster, were in New Zealand for the Challenge Wanaka event and sought advice from Greenwood on the race and gear.
"They invited me to Europe to train and stay.
"Then [Challenge race director] Felix Walchshofer offered me a slot in the race and accommodation during the race.
"All of this was given to me on a plate. Prior to January I didn't know this was going to happen," Greenwood said.
After six years of racing and competing in Ironman part-time, Greenwood decided it was time to step up a level.
The Challenge Wanaka race, in which she finished fourth, was Greenwood's debut in the professional category and she was keen to test herself further.
Greenwood has relinquished her job as a retail manager and begun training with coach Val Burke.
In the past eight weeks, Burke has put Greenwood through fitness tests and adjusted her biking programme to build power in the hill climbs.
Greenwood feels her training programme is more complicated than anything she has done before, but she is very happy with her progress.
The women's field for Challenge Roth is very strong and Greenwood will use the race to measure her progress.
"It is going to be exploratory. I have never been as fit or as strong.
"I have gone to another level [but] I am still developing. I don't know what I can do," Greenwood said.
Her goals on returning later this year include competing in a half-ironman in Rotorua this year and the New Zealand Ironman in Taupo next March.
Merryn Greenwood
Age: 31.
Raised: Whangarei.
Educated: Auckland University (BA in German).
Lives: Wanaka since 2003.
Occupation: Full-time athlete.
Family: Husband Mike Johnston (Wanaka).
Career: Started Ironman in 2002.
Competed Hawaii IM 2006; ninth Taupo IM 2007 (second in women's 25-29 age-group); fourth Challenge Wanaka 2008.
Next race: Challenge Roth, Germany, July 13 (4500 entrants)
