Iron nun turns 91 but feels better than she did at 50 Bashny.Net

“Sport and age are not a hindrance to each other!” proves the world’s most mature triathlete Madonna Buder. The woman turned 91 this year. However, despite such an impressive figure, the athlete does not cease to surprise.



At the age of 82, she managed to overcome the entire distance of the world-famous Ironman competition, setting a new record. On account of the legendary Iron nun (as she is called) many victories and achievements. I can’t help but tell you more about this unique woman. Let her story inspire you!

Madonna Buder is not one of those people who devoted her whole life to sports. When she was young, her parents sent her to a Catholic religious school for girls. At the age of 23, the girl went to a monastery, and at the age of 40 she created a new non-traditional non-canonical women’s religious community.





The nun hit the sport when she was 48 years old. She was inspired by the priest John, to whom she always listened. Physical activity helped a woman relax and find a balance of mind, body and spirit.



Already 4 years later, Madonna conquered the first triathlon distance in her life. At the age of 55, Buder took part in the Ironman competition for the first time. Since then, she has walked this difficult distance more than 45 times.





It was thanks to Madonna Buder that the age of Ironman members became higher. After her rapid victories, the organizers of the event increased the age range. By her own example, the triathlete proved that nothing is impossible in the world.

Worldwide fame hit Madonna after she starred in a Nike commercial. Many were shocked by her story, because there are not so many such mature athletes in the world. Not surprisingly, the Triathlon Hall of Fame has been added another honorary name.





There is also a book written about the Iron Nun. In 2010, she published her autobiography, The Grace of Overtaking: The Wisdom and Inspiration of the 80-Year-Old Triathlon Champion Known as the Iron Nun.

Madonna Buder has repeatedly said that she does not attach any importance to age. Moreover, she does not even feel it: “I stopped counting years a long time ago. What's the point if I feel younger than fifty now? Only journalists are reminded of stupid figures.

Almost 400 competitions resulted in numerous injuries. But everyone understands that this is a normal phenomenon: “How else: it’s a sport. I broke bones. I had a meniscus rupture. Once I pulled my muscles and lay in bed in bandages, like a mummy.





One day, Madonna broke her arm after falling off her bike at a distance. One participant clipped her and she couldn't handle the controls. The doctor said it would take as long as 10 weeks to fully recover. The triathlete could not wait so long, as after 6 weeks she was waiting for a new competition.

The iron nun prayed for her speedy recovery. While she could not touch her hand, she walked a lot in the sun. After only 5 weeks, the fracture completely healed. Madonna spent 7 days preparing for the competition. For Buder, this story was very revealing. No doctor knows your body as well as you do.

For Madonna Buder is very valuable that for others she is a source of inspiration. She sets an example for many young people who do not dare to play sports. At the same time, the woman urges not to chase the achievements of others, but primarily to listen to her inner voice.





“I’ve learned many lessons in my life, but looking back, I would say to myself at twenty: you’re not what you say about yourself, it’s what you do; don’t pay attention to how old you are, but focus on how you feel.”

These people are really inspiring! If you like stories like this, be sure to read our article about 88-year-old fitness coach Nahid Abdem here. And if you know about someone else who might surprise us, tell us about this person in the comments!

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