- Despite not knowing how to swim, I challenged myself to complete a half-Ironman before turning 50.
- I hired a coach, trained two to four hours daily, and got into the best shape of my life.
- I wish more women my age tried endurance sports due to their positive mental and physical benefits.
After months of feeling off, down, and exhausted, I got a call from my doctor. At just 45 years old, I'd entered postmenopause.
I had none of the common physical symptoms (other than the occasional night sweats), so the news came with mixed emotions: relief, sadness, and the sudden realization that I wasn't getting any younger.
It ignited something in me, and that's how I found myself staring out at a seemingly endless line of buoys floating in the freezing cold Brazos River in Waco, Texas, about to compete in a half-Ironman — a feat I was intent on completing before I turned 50.
Training for a half-Ironman was ambitious, especially since I couldn't swim
Although I've always been active — mixing aerobics, running, step class, strength training, Zumba, and cycling — I never considered myself an athlete. That changed during my midlife meltdown.
As someone who generally subscribes to a "go big or go home" mentality, I decided I wanted to tackle the 70.3-mile challenge before my half-century birthday. There were two glaring hurdles between me and that finish line: First, I had less than a year to train, and second (and most important), I didn't know how to swim.
I'd run half-marathons and embarked on 150-mile bike rides with gusto, but the 1.2-mile swim would be an issue. I could stay afloat without panic, but properly swimming for long distances? That wasn't in my wheelhouse.
I knew that if I wanted to be successful, I'd need to double down on my efforts. With just over seven months until the race, I hired a coach, followed a plan, and trained for two to four hours a day (outside of my physically demanding job as a fitness instructor and personal trainer).
It was intense, and there were days I seriously doubted myself, but I stuck to the training schedule, fueled my body properly, and prioritized rest days and recovery.
I nearly gave up on race day but ultimately crossed the finish line
On the day of the race, I nearly choked ahead of the 1.2-mile swim.
As I stripped off my wetsuit, about to give up everything I'd worked so hard for, my husband offered me words of encouragement. "You know how to do this, you've worked hard, and you are more than capable," he said. "Now go do it!"
I zipped my suit back up and got back in line with the other swimmers, ready to take the plunge.
Seven hours later, I heard the words I'd been training to hear: "You are a half-Ironman finisher." I knew then that the way I viewed midlife, and my life in general, had been changed forever.
The race empowered me physically and mentally
Of course, the physical progress I made during training was great. My journey catapulted me into the best physical shape of my life. I felt and looked strong and healthy. However, the real rewards weren't visible to the naked eye.
The amount of empowerment I felt from following through on a commitment to myself and doing something that, up until a few months ago, had seemed impossible was life-changing. I learned to listen to myself and ignore the negative voices in my head.
The experience made me as strong — if not stronger — mentally than I was physically and allowed me to reconnect with myself in a way that I hadn't in years.
My experience made me wish more women tried endurance sports in midlife
The mental benefits I reaped are the reason I wish more women would take on endurance challenges in their midlife and beyond.
I'm not suggesting that every woman in her 50s needs to tackle a half-Ironman, but distance sports of all types and levels require people to show up for themselves, believe in themselves, and push themselves. It's in those moments of discomfort that they learn who they are and what they're made of.
By the end of my half-Ironman, I walked away with the understanding that aging isn't optional, but how well I do it is. Life is the biggest endurance event of all. How I train for it matters, and it's never too late to start.
