How old are you?

58

Where do you live?

Pullman, USA

Instagram

@ironmom1962

What is your history with sports and athletics?

Growing up, the only sport I played was basketball because I was tall. No track, no swimming, and biking for fun on the weekends on my stingray. 

Around the age of 50, I delved into running, swimming and biking, none of which I had much experience. My first running event was a local half marathon. At the time, I lived out of town and did ALL of my training for this race on the treadmill! It was a very interesting race having not trained for the elements, but I started and finished to my delight! 

Next I decided I would get a bike – we live in an area where outdoor biking is phenomenal. Biking came easy to me – the first time out though with clip ons was terrifying, but I slowly overcame that fear. 

And finally swimming – NO experience whatsoever! I asked a friend to teach me to swim – he had taught many prior to me, so I was excited to learn. Swimming is hard – and even harder when you kick and kick and kick and don’t go anywhere. My coach said he had never seen anyone kick so hard and not move an inch – he had his work cut out for him. But I was diligent. I went to the pool almost everyday and just swam and swam until I found my technique. 

So, with a half marathon under my belt, a new bike, and my swim technique that I had mastered, I was ready to do my first triathlon! I did a few sprint triathlons and worked my way up to a local 70.3. Goal of course was to start and finish which I did. 

The next year though, I upped my game and said that if I came in first in my age group, I’d do a full Ironman. So, race day came. I was prepared. The race started. Out of the water, and on to my bike. Searching for my age group on other triathletes legs as I approached them on the bike. I never saw anyone in my age group and I thought, holy crap – I must be last. Off the bike and transition to the run. Again, searching for my age groupers – none again – what is going on? Approaching the finish line and beating my time from the previous year! My husband said, you did it, you came in first for your age group! Oh no I thought – I just committed myself to a full! But I was so excited, and at that point, hooked on this lifestyle. 

I trained and completed my first ironman at the age of 50! Five ironman races under my belt with one 3rd place podium finish! As an aside, at the age of 57, I qualified for the Boston Marathon and completed the virtual race last year at the age of 58. This year, I am training for my first ultra – wish me luck!!!

What do you enjoy most about being an athlete?

I enjoy the lifestyle and the comraderie that you find at the races. Even though people are there to win, the kindness and support out on the course you receive from fellow athletes is amazing! I like to eat too, so training and eating go hand in hand. My health is really good, I don’t take any medications, and only have aches and pains after a long training weekend!

Have you experienced any challenges or obstacles?

During one of my Ironman races, I had a bike crash. I don’t know if any of you have been in one, but it is like slow motion, where you really don’t know what hit you, but you land and slide on your body for what seems like forever. I was ready to throw in the towel – my husband was out on the course and I was looking for emotional support – when all of a sudden my daughter and granddaughter appeared (I had crashed right in front of them). My granddaughter said “grandma KK you have an owie.” I asked my daughter how my wound looked and she said not good so I said what should I do – she said go out and kick some A**. 

So off I went and completed the race.

As mentioned above, training for the Boston Marathon last year was challenging – it was on and then it was off again. I was building up miles, and then ramping down after cancellation. Then I ramped back up because of the virtual race. I ended up with plantar fasciitis which was very painful. I worked diligently on recovery – limiting my running and slowly easing back into it by walking/running. On race day the longest I had been able to run was 15 miles – but I believe with past experience and knowing that you have to dig deep to get through hours of running (and alone for this one) paid off.

What is your “why?”

My why is that I like to challenge myself. I’m fairly self-motivated and competitive and keeping myself challenged and active has helped me to remain healthy – both body and mind!

What is your favorite running gear or training equipment?

I like to run in Mizuno’s, and the swim paddles from ROKA are really great too!

What’s next?

My next goal is to complete an Ultra, starting with a 50K run this coming June.

Any fun facts about yourself?

I have never broken a bone in my body (knock on wood). I am the youngest in my family and the first one to retire (yeah!)

Do you have any advice for someone interested in getting started?

Start off slow and listen to your body. Becoming fit and strong does not happen overnight. You will have some great days of training and some really crappy ones. You will do some drills that you wonder why the heck you are doing them in your training plans, but its all a part of the journey!

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Jo Hugho

    I love your story and love your daughter telling you to kick a**! Thanks for the inspiration

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