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In our NORMAPeople series, employees around the world talk about their day-to-day work, how they came to the company and what they appreciate most about their jobs.
Ewa Urbanska works as ICT Change Manager at our site in Krakow, Poland. In this interview, she talks to us about her most memorable experiences at the company and her successes in the triathlon.
Ewa, what do you do at NORMA Group?
My main task is the implementation, improvement, and development of the Change Management process, as well as handling all daily tasks related to it. These include reviewing and assessing change record details, implementation controls, chairing the Change Advisory Board where changes are discussed and approved or rejected, conducting post-implementation reviews, and working closely with the teams involved.
It’s quite a challenging job, but also rewarding when I see that the process evolves, that it is well received by the stakeholders and that it generates benefits for the company.
You’ve been working at NORMA Group for a year now, what has been your most enjoyable experience?
For me, the most enjoyable thing is meeting my colleagues at the company site in Krakow. Most of the time I work from home. I really like being around people, though, so it’s a great feeling when I get to see the people I work with virtually in real life and spend time with them. Meeting together in person often improves the collaboration as well.
What does your daily work routine look like?
I start with the review of what I have planned for the given day. Usually, I have several meetings and in between them I do my routine tasks related to change tickets. As a part of my daily routine, I am actively seeking for the opportunities to enhance the Change Management process. I also provide trainings regarding the process for other stakeholders. My work can sometimes be very dynamic when there are urgent changes needed to solve unexpected issues.
You have a very interesting hobby; you compete in triathlons. How long have you been doing that?
I started competing in triathlons over ten years ago. Triathlon consists of three disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running. My focus is on the long triathlon distances, so Olympic, Half Ironman (70.3) and Ironman. Distances are as follows:
Olympic distance: 1.5 km swimming, 40 km cycling, and 10 km running
Half Ironman distance: 1.8 km swimming, 90 km cycling, and 21.1 km running
Ironman distance: 3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling, and 42.2 km running
For the first couple of years in the sport, I was training without a coach, but for the last two years I’ve had a coach who creates a training plan for me. My results are now much better compared to the times when I trained alone.
What is the biggest sporting success you have had so far?
Last year I became Polish national champion at the Ironman distance. This year I qualified for the World Championships at three distances: the Olympic distance, the Half Ironman distance, and the Ironman distance.
The 70.3 Ironman World Championship, half Ironman, took place at the end of August 2023 in Lahti, Finland. There were over 250 participants in my Age Group, and I finished ninth
Ewa finishing ninth in her Age Group at the Half Ironman Championships in Lahti
The World Olympic Triathlon Championships were held in September in Pontevedra, Spain, and I finished fifth in my Age Group. I didn’t expect to be so successful. But having a coach who guides me through the whole training process was a gamechanger for me. Now I’m preparing for the Ironman World Championships – the longest distance.
Ewa at the World Championship in Pontevedra
It’s September right now and the Ironman in Hawaii is on October 14. Have you ever participated in this race before?
No, this will be my first time.
How long does the competition last?
The whole day. The average finishing time is between nine and a half and fourteen hours. Generally, that depends very much on the route. If you’re on a flat track and the weather conditions are good, you’re much faster. But if you’re cycling or running in the mountains, the difference in finishing time for the same person can be two or three hours more.
The difficult thing about competing in Hawaii is the temperature. It’s going to be very hot. In addition, it is not flat and there is no shade on the route, you cycle and run in the direct sun. Since Hawaii is an island, there’s obviously a lot of wind. Especially on the bike, this will be a challenge.
What requirements do you have to meet to compete?
Prior qualification is required for all World Championship competitions. Usually, this involves winning a high place in a qualifying event. In some cases, it is possible to receive a wild card from the National Triathlon Association or qualify via high rank in the Age Group Ranking. I qualified for the Ironman World Championship at Ironman Hamburg, Germany, in June 2023. I finished third in my Age Group.
The award ceremony at the qualifying event Ironman Hamburg
Congratulations! How do you train for the Ironman?
Thank you! Training depends a lot on the distance you are training for. When you prepare for sprint distances, you train strong and short efforts. When you prepare for an Ironman, you do long endurance sessions.
Fortunately, I like the long sessions more. My longest distance in training for the Ironman on the bike was 250 kilometers, and I really enjoyed that. Triathlon is an endurance sport and I train almost every day – before or after work. Sometimes I even have two or three training sessions during the weekend.
What is the biggest challenge for you when it comes to training?
Finding the time – I have a family that I enjoy spending time with and wouldn’t sacrifice this time for anything else. I also have full-time, responsible job, in which I engage and care about best results. Triathlon is the least important out of that, but it is still a big part of my life.
“It’s a challenge to stay on top of everything, so I really must be very well organized and do trainings even if I do not feel like it.”
It often turns out that the most difficult part is just getting started with the training, as most of them are not very demanding, it is just important not to skip them. But I also have sometimes very difficult sessions – they require a lot of mental toughness and perseverance to complete.
My colleagues know about my hobby and wish me the best, which I find very supportive. I was allowed to take additional unpaid leave for the Ironman because my vacation days would not be enough for the competition and travel. Participation in Ironman World Championship was my dream, so I really appreciate that very much!
Do you have a specific time you want to achieve at the Ironman?
It is difficult to estimate how long I will need because I don’t know how my body will react to the high temperatures and humidity in Hawaii. I hope that I can perform at my best level, but I don’t have a specific idea of the finishing time.
Ewa, it’s now November and the Ironman has taken place, how was the competition for you? What was the biggest challenge?
Ironman World Championship did not disappoint in terms of difficulty! The biggest challenge was the extreme temperatures and I struggled with colic on the run. But overall, I had enough power to finish the race in well form.
What ranking did you achieve? Are you satisfied with your results?
I am very happy with my result; I finished eleventh in my Age Group out of 332 women from different countries. My time was 10:37:12.
Would you participate in the Ironman again?
I am used to training before or after work, I’ve been doing it for over ten years, it makes me feel good and healthy and it’s become a part of my lifestyle. Participation in the events is a natural consequence. I am at the top of Ironman Age Group Ranking, so I will be getting qualified for 2024 Ironman World Championship, which will be held on September 22, in Nice, France.
Now that I know my abilities and how I ranked in Hawaii, I would like to fight for top 5 in my Age Group. Keep your fingers crossed!
Ewa finishing eleventh in her Age Group at the Ironman Championship in Kona
