Kiwi triathlon star Samantha Warriner is re-igniting her future in the sport after career-saving heart surgery.
The Beijing Olympian has confirmed her entry for the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand at Taupo in March just 14 weeks after heart surgery for super ventricular tachycardia or a racing heart beat that brought a halt to her triathlon career last year.
Fully recovered, a reborn Warriner has a new coach, is taking on a new challenge and has a new approach to life.
The 39-year-old former world number one had moved to longer distances of the 70.3 series in the USA after winning the Port of Tauranga Half in record time last year. After some early success Warriner found herself fading badly on the run in several races after gaining healthy leads. By late 2010 she could not manage a training run without stopping.
"My husband and I decided something was wrong. We talked it through with my coach at the time and we just packed up from life in the USA and came home," Warriner said.
She decided to seek advice and direction from a New Zealand-based coach, turning to well-respected exercise physiologist and coach Jon Ackland, who guides Terenzo Bozzone among many other athletes.
"He suggested some tests because he felt it was a health issue, not anything to do with my training.
"The result was a massive shock to find out that I had this dangerous heart condition. I had been told as a child that my heart was too big and that it would go into spasm now and again- (racing to 230 beats per minute). I really did not think much about that, and the odd time that it must have gone off, I felt some discomfort and I just stopped (exercising) and it settled. I thought nothing more of it."
Without medical insurance and no longer under the Triathlon NZ carding system, Sam and husband Stephen had to find $25,000 for the vital operation to repair the electrical pathways in the heart, the operation taking place on 1 December.
"We've only recently built our first home and we had money set aside for our kitchen and other projects. That had to be spent on the operation which I urgently needed."
The procedure went without a hitch and within days Warriner felt a new lease of life.
"Gradually under Jon's strict control I have got back into things. We decided that a great project would be to take on my first Ironman and where better to do that than at Taupo".
"I'm just happy to be healthy and feeling so well. I guess the blessing is that I have found a coach that I totally admire and respect.
"The downside is that we have no kitchen and the place is a long way from getting finished."
Warriner has a new approach to life, taking on a new project to coach seven newcomers to the sport who will compete in the New Zealand Championships in Wellington in March.
"It's a chance for me to give something back (and inspire others to go after their dreams. I love the sport of triathlon and the more people I can get involved – well the happier it makes me) It's a project that I am excited about and I am working closely with the ladies every day."
She is undaunted to take on the 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42km marathon run of Ironman New Zealand.
"I am learning to train strictly by heart rate and not at the high intensity of an Olympic triathlon.
"The training for Ironman is very different. It's 90% mental. You really need to be strong and know what you want to achieve and most importantly – stick to that plan. It's going so well and I love everything about the training."
She is not putting any expectations on her chances, coming up against seven-time Ironman New Zealand champion Jo Lawn, and current world champion Mirinda Carfrae (Australia), who ironically was her room-mate and training partner when she was based in the USA.
"It's a long, long day out there. I will be delighted to complete it and enjoy the experience. Anything more than that is a bonus.
"I feel blessed to now have good health. I am privileged to be able to lead this life of an athlete. And I am excited about the future."
Warriner said they will reassess her plans after Taupo but is hopeful of a return to the 70.3 circuit in the States and has put the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii back on her bucket list again.
