Life keeps getting busier for triathlete and mentor Sam Warriner

There is never a dull minute in the life of Whangarei triathlete Sam Warriner. Since making the transition from competing on the International Triathlon Union World Cup and Dextro World Championship circuit to race in the longer half ironman (70.3) distance and recently in her first full ironman, life seems busier than ever.
"I am probably training more now I am racing the longer distances," the 39-year-old said.
Warriner returned to Whangarei two weeks ago, after another block of racing and training in the United States.
She had a successful few months - third in the Rhode Island 70.3, first at the Racine 70.3 and third at the Lake Stephen 70.3 building towards her debut in the Rev 3 Series Ironman Finale at Cedar Point in Ohio last month.
"I had a few dramas in the days leading up to it, my bike was damaged the frame cracked while it was in transit, and I had to ride the 180km on a borrowed bike.
"So my ride time was slower than I had hoped. I had led out the swim but didn't find my rhythm on the bike. I felt good on the run but went out a bit too fast - I knew my ride wasn't as fast as I hoped - so around the 21-22 mile [34-35km] mark I lost key positions," she said.
Warriner finished the 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42km run in fourth place taking nine and a half hours to complete the course.
Initially disappointed with her time due to a disrupted bike ride, Warriner said she needed to put things into perspective.
"That's just racing - there are circumstances out of my control ... It has made me more motivated to see how well I can go next time."
On the positive side, Warriner won the Rev 3 Series overall, after placing second in the first event, which was an Olympic distance race in Knoxville and then third in the half ironman in Quassy - summing her up as an all-round and versatile athlete.
Warriner will return to the Statesfor the Austin 70.3 on October 17 after which she heads into camp in Los Angeles to build for the 70.3 World Championships in Florida on November 13.
Looking further ahead, Warriner hopes to compete at Kona, Hawaii in the world's hardest ironman race. "That's my goal to compete at Kona next year and I'm aiming to be there."
Meanwhile, during her month in NZ, Warriner helped out at a training camp last weekend for 35 athletes competing in the Wanaka Half Ironman and Wanaka Challenge next January.
"I went to Wanaka to commentate this year's race, and I built up a relationship with the organisers and arranged with them to take this camp ...
"It was to give the athletes a bit of insight into racing, and to share information and advice and a few secrets on how to use the information available to them more effectively," she said.
Warriner also decided to start an all-female triathlon team and coach them for free over the summer, for the Tri NZ National Age Group Championships in Wellington, during March.
"My sponsors have come on board and are supplying some of the gear ... the girls will also get free entries into the Tri NZ National Series.
"I had over 300 applications from as far away as Peru, Scotland and France. It was one of the hardest decisions I've had to make, to choose the seven ladies. They were all really driven and all had their individual goals." The seven women vary in age, and include Onerahi's Jenny Barrett.
"Mentoring is a passion of mine and I wanted to show people can achieve what they set their minds to and now is the right time for me to start giving a bit back to the sport."