When Nicole Storm reached the finish line of her first-ever Ironman, she cried with pride for 30 minutes.

“This was my first Ironman. I came fifth and then qualified to go to Kona [Hawaii] for the world champs,” said the physiotherapist, mother of two, and owner of two Family Physio clinics in Pāpāmoa.

Storm started competing in triathlons two years ago, working towards the Taupō Ironman.

“The conditions were really good on the day. I had some mechanical issues on the bike, which means that I was probably about 20 minutes slower than I expected because I had to stop a few times to fix my bike, but outside of that, it went really well.

“I had an amazing day and I was really well prepared for the event.”

Pāpāmoa's Nicole Storm competing in the full Ironman in Taupō. Photo / supplied

Storm trained for two years, spending 16-20 hours a week doing a mixture of cycling, swimming, running, and weights at the gym.

Over the summer, she qualified for the World Champs in Pontevedra, Spain, in June and the Olympic Distance Triathlon World Champs in Australia in October.

With three world champs coming up, Storm is feeling elated.

“I just feel privileged and excited, to be honest.”

With less than 17 weeks left before she competes in Spain, there was no time for a break in training.

Her two biggest supporters are her children, aged 3 and 5.

Nicole Storm with her top supporters, her daughters, Lana, 5, and Kiana, 3. Photo / supplied

“I have so many videos of them running on the sideline while I’m competing or high-fiving me while I’m competing.”

Storm’s passion for triathlons came about when she realised she needed to start taking some time for herself.

As a business owner and mother, she wanted to spend more time alone and focus on her health.

“I wanted to do something that put me out of my comfort zone and helped me refocus on myself.

“I definitely achieved that. I really fell in love with it.

“I love competing. I really was just enjoying being out there. I just try to soak in the atmosphere.”

Storm said the support she received was “unreal”.

“So many people messaged me and called me to tell me that they’d been tracking me on the GPS all day.”

Pāpāmoa's Nicole Storm running across the finish line of the Taupō Ironman. Photo / supplied

“Anyone can do it,” Storm said to others considering competing in a triathlon.

“It’s such a fulfilling experience. You need to start somewhere.”

Storm started by competing in smaller events.

“There are lots of little triathlons in the Mount. That’s where I started.

“My very first triathlon was the women’s tri that runs in Pilot Bay. I did that two years ago. That’s where I started and then I just slowly worked my way up from there.”