Australian triathlon legend Craig Alexander is aiming to make history this weekend as the first 40-year-old to win the Hawaiian Ironman.
It's likely to be Alexander's last attempt at the sport's most famous event - the Ironman-distance world championship - which he has won three times and where he is the race record holder and oldest men's champion.
"Whenever you're trying to do something that's never been done - statistics like that exist for a reason," said Alexander.
"I know what I'm capable of ...I feel I'm the same athlete as two years ago when I last won here.
"It does appeal to me, it would nice to achieve something that's never been done.
"It would be very, very sweet, that's for sure."
Alexander admitted he was thinking about retiring from the Hawaiian Ironman after the race.
He said his family - he and wife Neri became parents for the third time earlier this year - rather than his body was the reason.
"If I was a betting man, I'd say it is (my last Hawaii Ironman)," he said.
"When I won two years ago here, people were saying 'what a nice way to leave" - it never crossed my mind that was the end.
"Even last year ... I thought it wasn't my last time.
"But I've had those thoughts this year.
"I'm fairly certain I'd be racing next year, but this could well be my last tilt at this race."
Alexander's age and a below-par 12th placing last year mean he is not among top favourites who include defending champion and compatriot Pete Jacobs.
But he feels better prepared than last year, when he struggled with a back injury that at one stage forced him to pull over to the side of the road during the bike leg.
Hawaii is a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run, raced in brutal tropical heat.
Two years ago, Alexander broke the 15-year men's race record by winning in eight hours three minutes 56 seconds.
"I'm quietly confident of a good performance," said Alexander.
"This year I've been good at doing what I usually always do, which is all the little things that stop it (his back injury) being a problem.
"I don't envisage that being an issue at all this year."
Speaking from the race site at Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island, Alexander was nursing a sore throat courtesy of baby daughter Lani.
But he was confident that will not affect his race.
"It's a week out, we still have plenty of time," he said.
"Other than the throat, my body feels alright.
"A lot of people get sick in the (pre-race) taper."
