January 17th 2026

How NZ SiS’s Seah and Blair are Powering Up for race day!

When it comes to taking on a Half Ironman, there’s more to success than swim, bike, run, how you fuel the journey is key! With Science in Sport (SiS) returning as the on-course nutrition partner for 2026, we caught up with Seah and Blair, the New Zealand distributors of SiS, and this year, Loan Market Tauranga Half participants, to talk training, nutrition, and tackling new challenges together.

For Seah and Blair, this year’s event is more than business – it’s personal.

“Well, it’s all new to me,” says Blair. “I’ve never done a half ironman or even an Olympic distance, so it’s exciting but a little daunting. Seah’s always said she’d like us to do one together, so I guess this is the year. I’m quietly looking forward to it… and quietly freaking out.”

For Seah, triathlon has always been part of life.

“I did triathlons when I was younger and returned to the longer distances recently. I just love having a goal, it keeps me moving and motivated. Plus, it’s been fun to share that goal with Blair this time around!”

Why the Mount?

There’s no hesitation when it comes to why the pair chose the Fulton Hogan Mount Festival.

“It’s pretty bloody cool,” says Blair. “The Mount has a special place in our hearts, my family lives there, we’ve got a place there, and the event’s just epic. From an athlete’s view, it’s great to see how it’s grown and how professionally it’s run.”

“Agree,” adds Seah. “There’s just a buzz about the town, the atmosphere, the view, the support. It’s our happy place.”

On-course fuel: What’s powering athletes this year

If you’re racing, you’ll see SiS products out on course, including Isotonic Gels (22g carbs per gel) and Electrolyte Gels (36g per 500ml). These staples keep athletes hydrated and fuelled when it matters most.

But there’s more – SiS has dropped a line-up of new products hitting NZ shelves now:

  • NEW RTD Go Energy + Electrolyte Orange Drink (500ml)
    60g carbs + 350mg sodium: ready-to-drink fuel for training or racing.
  • NEW Beta Fuel Gels + Electrolytes (Raspberry/Lemon)
    40g carbs + 200mg sodium per gel: a game-changer for endurance athletes.

“I’m never without SiS Go Electrolyte in my bottles,” says Seah. “Fueling has become such a big focus, not just on race day, but in training too. Hitting 100g+ of carbs per hour isn’t easy, but SiS makes it a lot tastier.”

Blair agrees: “The Beta Fuel Chews, Gels, and Electrolyte drinks are my go-to. The chews are soft, easy to eat, and give me 40g of carbs per bar – perfect for keeping energy levels steady on those long sessions.”

Fueling tips

This couple knows firsthand that the best nutrition strategy is the one you practice in training.

  • Start your nutrition early. If you wait until you feel hungry, it’s usually too late. Set reminders on your Garmin for every 30 minutes to eat.

 

  • Find what works for you. There’s a huge variety of gels, fluids, Beta Fuel, bars, chews, so mix it up in training to see what feels good and what your stomach tolerates.

Training and work-life balance

Both Seah and Blair juggle training with busy lives.

“I’m usually out riding by 5 a.m. so I’m home by 7:30 before family time,” says Blair. “Our household’s pretty active, and I’m lucky to have that support. Lots of early mornings though – I’ll probably be the whitest guy on the start line!”

“I’m more flexible with my schedule,” Seah laughs. “I like to get it done mid-morning,  it clears my head before work. Having a great group of friends to train with helps too. We even get the kids involved sometimes, it’s cool to show them how important staying active is.”

Who’s the motivator?

 

We asked, “Who’s the motivator, who’s the challenger, and how do your personalities clash or complement each other during training?”

 

“We’re both pretty motivated people,” says Blair. “We naturally push each other, if one slacking, the other steps up. Seah’s the motivator in the pool, no doubt about that!”

“And Blair’s definitely the pusher on the bike,” Seah adds. “We balance each other out perfectly.”

Recovery

Fueling doesn’t stop at the finish line. SiS Rego Rapid Recovery supports muscle repair and energy replenishment, with 23g carbs and 20g protein per serve, ideal for that 30-minute recovery window.

Key benefits:

  • Rebuilds muscle tissue post-exercise
  • Rapidly replenishes glycogen stores
  • Fast absorption for optimal recovery
  • Contains essential electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals

What’s next? 

As race day draws closer, Seah and Blair are as excited as ever, and ready to test their own products in the field they love.

“For us, it’s about enjoying the journey,” says Seah. “The training, the build-up, and that shared goal.” “And maybe a cold craft beer and hot fries at the finish,” adds Blair.

Here’s to Team Taylor powering their way through the Tauranga Half with a healthy mix of passion, partnership, and perfectly timed fueling!

Check out the full SiS Triathlon Nutrition Guide here:
Science in Sport 70.3 Nutrition Guide

See what’s new from SiS:
scienceinsport.com