The Narre Warren resident will compete in her first full Ironman race in the Melbourne Ironman on March 25 and she can't wait to test herself over the 3.8-kilometre swim, 180-kilometre bike ride and 42.2-kilometre run.

Determination has always been Bull's strong suit, defying the predictions of her doctors and surgeons to walk and then run again after serious spinal surgery in 2008.

Bull, who turns 50 this year, had degenerative bone disease in her spinal cord which had worn down, causing her to lose the use of her left leg.

Faced with the decision to either spend life in a wheelchair or have risky spinal surgery, Bull chose the latter, with a rod put into her spine.

"The doctors told me I would never walk again," she said. "You can't tell me I can't do things - I do everything I'm told not to do. I was always going to be active again, I've been like that all my life."

Bull was attempting to walk soon after getting out of surgery and slowly began the painful process of walking before spending plenty of time on the bike and swimming.

"Running was the hardest thing to get back. It was painful but I kept at it and now I just fly," she said.

Bull works as a personal trainer and has competed in several half-Ironman events, races which go half the distance in each section.

She is entering the last eight weeks of her intensive training program and is looking forward to race day, although the pre-event butterflies are beginning to appear.

"Mentally it's very tough. It's not the physical part which is challenging, it's the mental part you need to try and get over," Bull said. "I'm a little nervous. It's going to be a massive challenge."

Bull also draws immeasurable inspiration from her teenage son Jay, who battled cancer earlier in his life. "When I'm running I think that if he can survive cancer I can get through this run," she said.

As race day looms Bull would love some supporters either as running or cycling partners and some sponsors to help support her training.

"I'm not an elite athlete, but I'm doing the same amount of work as the elite guys," she said. "So I'd love some backing."

Whether the support comes or not, Bull will continue to power through her workouts.

Any potential supporters can email Bull at jay_bron@hotmail.comjay_bron@hotmail.com.