For most of Natalie Grabow’s life, she didn’t know how to swim. At age 59, she decided to change that so she could face an even bigger challenge. Now Grabow is being hailed as an inspiration. Not only did she learn how to swim and then compete in a triathlon, the 80-year-old grandmother just became the oldest woman to finish the grueling Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Grabow, who lives in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, plunged into the ocean water at Kailua Bay and swam 2.4 miles. Then she hopped on her bike to cycle 112 miles on a highway twisting through lava fields and notorious coastal crosswinds. Finally, she ran the 26.2-mile marathon, where steep stretches contribute to an elevation gain of more than 1,000 feet. She finished the unforgiving course well within the race’s 17-hour cutoff time. Her time was 16:45:26 on a day when more than 60 other athletes in a field of more than 1,600 failed to finish. Grabow says triathlon allows her to feel strong mentally and physically, as well as satisfying her competitive spirit. Grabow, who swims at her local YMCA, rides on an indoor cycling trainer and often runs at a high school outdoor track, was the sole entrant in the 80-84 age group at the Ironman World Championship. For Grabow, her successful finish puts an exclamation mark on a 20-year process that has seen her rack up wins in shorter Ironman 70.3-mile events, known as a half Ironman. Now she'll take some time off before getting back to training for next year’s race.
