Sharing my story on the Aging Athletically podcast — listen in and join the conversation!
In this episode of Aging Athletically, I virtually sat down with Hilary Cairns to talk about my journey from running marathons and competing in Ironmans to discovering indoor rowing in my late 50s—and eventually setting world records. We talked about athletic reinvention, competition, coaching, my four-plus-year rowing streak, skiing, and how my approach to training continues to evolve as I get older.
More than anything, our conversation was about continuing to challenge ourselves, staying open to new experiences, and finding ways to keep doing the things we love. For me, aging athletically isn’t about proving something to someone else—it’s about staying strong, curious, competitive, and able to keep saying yes to the next adventure.
What keeps me motivated—and why I’m always asking, “What’s next?”
Highlights From Our Conversation
Reinvention can happen at any age.
After years of running marathons, competing in Ironmans, skiing and pursuing endurance sports, knee issues led me to indoor rowing as a lower-impact way to train. What started as cross-training in my late 50s quickly became a whole new competitive chapter—and eventually led to world records.
Competition still motivates me—but it means something different now.
I still love the thrill of racing and pushing for a goal. But aging athletically, for me, isn’t about proving something to someone else. It’s about being fit and strong enough to keep doing the things I love and discovering what I’m still capable of.
“I just want to continue to be the best that I can be.”
Getting older means adapting, not stopping.
We talked honestly about the changes that come with aging—feeling more tired, needing additional recovery and paying closer attention to nutrition, protein, mobility and taking care of my body. I may train differently than I did years ago, but I’m certainly not finished challenging myself.
Some of my greatest inspiration comes from the athletes around me.
One of the things I love most about coaching indoor rowing is watching athletes continue to set ambitious goals later in life. Women like Barb, who entered her 80s excited about chasing records, like Barb competing in her 80s and Karin, who is competing in her 90s, are wonderful reminders that we don’t have to stop setting goals because of the number attached to our age.
And I’m always wondering: “What’s the next thing?”
That may be one of the biggest themes of my athletic life. Whether it’s maintaining my rowing streak, racing, skiing moguls, trying HYROX on a mixed doubles team with my son Schuyler, cycling or pursuing another goal I haven’t even thought of yet, I want to keep experiencing as much as I can.
For me, that’s what aging athletically is really about: continuing to show up, staying curious, adapting when necessary and never losing the excitement of finding out what might be possible next.
Thank you, Hilary for inviting me to be a guest on your podcast. I appreciate all the stories that you bring to light on Aging Athletically and am truly honored!
Photo by Nick Cinea (@cineaphoto) — thank you for capturing this special moment.
Honored to be featured in the upcoming North of Forty, Volume 2 by Lauren Hurst (@northfortyfitness), celebrating the inspiring stories of ageless athletes
