When people think of seniors, they may think of sweet, grey haired grandparents. Yet, there are many seniors who are inspirational athletes, breaking records and competing at a world level. Here are five may help you find some motivation to commit to your fitness practice!
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Madonna Buder, 87 – known as “The Iron Nun”, Madonna is a Senior Olympian Triathlete. Sister Madonna chose a life as a Roman Catholic nun and only began running at age 48, when a priest suggested she take a jog on the beach. She’s the oldest person to ever finish an Ironman Triathlon in under the 17-hour time limit. She’s even forced the Ironman organization to create new categories — 75 to 79 and 80 to 84 age groups. She also broke the finish time record for the latter age group, completing an Ironman in 16 hours and 32 minutes.
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Paul Tetrick, 86 – Paul has won more than 12 USA Cycling Time Trial Championships, a road bicycle race where cyclists battle the clock instead of racing at the same time as their competitors. In October 2013, Paul crushed his previous time trial record of 34:37.5 in the 20K race, racing and beating his granddaughter.
- Tao Porchon-Lynch, 98 – the world’s oldest yoga teacher started practicing more than 70 years ago while growing up in India. She still teaches six to eight classes a week in New York, and leads programs across the globe.
- Irene Obera, 83 – an American track and field athlete, specializing in sprinting events. Over an extended career, she has set numerous world records and has won numerous world championships. She is currently a member of the W70 world record holding 4×100 metres relay team.She also holds the current American record in the W60 and W75 100 metres and the W75 200 metres.
- Ed Whitlock, 85 – He’s the oldest person to have run a marathon in under 4 hours. His ability to race without a trainer, in 15-year-old sneakers, and set records (2:54:48 marathon at age 73) has doctors and scientists studying his physiology.