Never Too Old

Last October, at the ripe age of eighty, grandmother Natalie Grabow became the oldest woman to ever complete an entire Ironman. Competing in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, Natalie conquered something she never expected to even consider attempting. Her story is filled with an incredible amount of passion, grit, and resilience, and it truly deserves a spot in the history books. 

Ironman competitions are in a triathlon format consisting of three separate events: swimming, biking, and running. Participants begin with a 2.4-mile swim, switch to a 112-mile bike ride, and finish with a 26.2-mile run. For most, trying to master even one event is extremely difficult. Even as a recent finisher, Natalie struggled with this. Up until the age of 60, Natalie had never learned how to swim. In 2005, she began her swimming lessons, and only three years later, she accomplished her first full-distance course with determination leading the way.

Natalie’s story only expands from there. Previously, Natalie mentioned that when she was growing up, girls did not have many opportunities, especially in sports. The only thing she could pursue was being a cheerleader, which she did do. She witnessed this in her adulthood and career as a software engineer, which eventually led her to expand her interests later in her life. She taught herself to ski, signed up for tennis lessons, and eventually found a love for running. This was her final chance to give her younger self what she deserved.

Throughout this entire process, Natalie gained five core values. First, finding balance. Natalie’s naturally driven spirit could have burned her out, so instead she found a proper coach. Her coach instructs her not only on training workouts but also on recovery workouts. This is her perfect balance as an athlete. Second, accepting her limits. Natalie knows she is not young like every other competitor, but that is okay. She embraces and works around to find what works for her. Third, love what you do. Natalie believes all the success comes from true passion. There is no secret to success, other than the pure enjoyment that fuels it. Fourth, stay strong. Outside of her competitions, she works on her mind and body. Her goals cannot become true if she does not put in the effort her body needs to achieve them. Lastly, enjoyment and balance are key. In her mind, not everyone has to be an Ironman runner; they can enjoy pickleball or a spin class. Every individual has their own balance of athleticism, and finding that truly weighs the outcomes.

Natalie Grabow’s story proves that anyone can do anything they put their mind to. Age, sex, or any other factor of the person does not matter. It only matters about the love and drive they use to facilitate their goals. One thing can lead to another, and in the end, every little step taken is one step closer to something great.