Sister Madonna Buder at age 79 has completed more than 320 triathlons - those grueling tripartite events including 40 Ironman ones, consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26 mile run spanning 17 hours. What got her going like this?
The sister hasn't always been a competitive athlete. Entering the convent at age 23, she didn't start competing until age 47, when a priest encouraged her to run for "spiritual enrichment." At 52 she started swimming and cycling.
Although some religious Catholics find her running in spandex a bit perplexing to their sensibilities, most people are attracted to her spunk. She sees no conflict between her athletic activities and her religiosity. "Who says I can't be in the church and doing God's work out wherever I go... There is no limit, no boundaries to when and where you can commune with God. It doesn't have to be in church all the time."
See "The Iron-Nun: Sister Madonna Buder Balances Her Love for Faith and Fitness" for the complete story and a news video of Sister Madonna on the road. See her receive an award from a runner's association 2 years ago.
Neither age nor religion stops this woman. Yeah for age and continued fitness!
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