She’s in it for the long haul!
A resilient 80-year-old New Jersey grandmother has made history as the oldest woman to finish the demanding Ironman World Championship this past weekend—revealing that her secret to staying active in her senior years is simply to “keep moving.”
“I’m never on the verge of giving up,” Natalie Grabow of Mountain Lakes shared with The Post on Thursday. “I cherish the sensation of pushing myself and achieving a target.”
Despite tackling a slight hamstring strain, turbulent waves, and oppressive heat, Grabow successfully ran 26.2 miles, cycled 112 miles, and swam 2.4 miles in the open ocean on Saturday during the race held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
The mother of four and grandmother of two crossed the finish line of the notoriously challenging triathlon in 16 hours, 45 minutes, and 26 seconds—on a day when over 60 other competitors across various age groups opted to withdraw.
Having already completed 10 Ironman races previously on the island, Grabow shared her wisdom on maintaining health and fitness as one ages.
“Whatever it may be—pickleball, dancing, or anything else—it’s crucial to keep your body moving and remain strong. As you age, strength in your body translates to strength in your mind; they are interconnected and provide confidence,” she advised.
“You truly must keep moving,” she emphasized. “And consistency is key.”
Grabow noted that swimming in the rough waters was the most challenging aspect of the race.
“It’s always a contact sport,” she explained. “You’re constantly being hit, and my goggles kept coming off, plus I was swallowing saltwater,” she added.
She stated that a combination of rigorous training and a dash of luck plays a significant role in not giving up. It’s essential to continuously check in with your body.
“Some of the top professional female athletes experience overheating issues. You never know how your body will react. It’s about continually assessing how you feel and what you need; including your nutritional requirements,” she advised.
“This ensures I stay mentally sharp and avoid feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about continuing,” she remarked.
Just before crossing the finish line, she stumbled and fell, but swiftly regained her footing and completed the race to cheers from her coach and daughter.
“It feels amazing,” she expressed. “There’s nothing like the satisfaction of knowing you’ve done your absolute best and given your all.”
Grabow, who started swimming at age 50, said she was supported by a coach and followed a rigorous routine of running, swimming, and biking, incorporating a long training day each week.
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In preparation for the intense race, she kept a close eye on her nutrition and focused on maintaining her electrolyte balance.
After the race, her first meal was a chicken wrap, followed by a relaxing morning in bed eating a bagel topped with lox and cream cheese while she recuperated.
She plans to take a week off to rest before possibly participating in another Ironman event outside of Kona.
Next time, her ambition might be to “match” Madonna Buder, the record-holder for the oldest woman to complete any Ironman at age 82.
“But predicting how I’ll feel at 82 while I’m 80 is impossible,” she remarked. “The focus has to be on enjoying each day as it comes.”
