It was long-distance triathlete Teresa Adam's time to shine in 2018.
Fresh from completing her debut season racing Ironman, she's quickly established herself as one of the best in the world in the discipline.
It's a position she never thought was possible five years earlier.
But the Tauranga Half Ironman holds a special place in Teresa Adam's heart.
"I was still not really racing competitively but when I met him he really helped me how to train properly," she said.
It's important because five years earlier she trained herself into the ground.
She was diagnosed with compartment syndrome needing surgery on both legs.
"When I was really injured I didn't think I was going to be able to run again or do any sport my body was that broken." she said.
Forced to do nothing for several years the 28-year-old returned to the sport she loved.
But when she was struggling to find another gear in the 52km triathlon her partner Dan suggested trying a 113 k half ironman.
"I can't do that its way too far, I just didn't think I'd be able to finish." she said.
She could and it wasn't long before Adam gave the full 226km-long ironman a go too.
Winning the Asia Pacific champs in just her second attempt at the distance
"It was definitely a turning point for me and you know iron man is where I'm most suited," she said.
The former national waterpolo rep's now the 10th best female Ironman athlete in the world, and others are starting to notice
"She's done really well, getting into Kona and winning the Asian pacific champs", Andrea Hewitt said.
For Adam though it's all still sinking in.
"Last year definitely was unexpected but a lot of learnings as well and discovering something I was quite good at."
Taking her new discipline in her stride and leaving the pain of the past behind her.
Newshub.
