This post is sponsored by adidas, however, all comments, opinions and enthusiasm remain my own.

Age is just a number,” may sound like a cliché quote on accepting the inevitability of growing older, but I actually very much believe in the words. As a lifelong running and fitness aficionado, I have always been inspired by those other athletes pushing the limits of physical and mental toughness in the peer groups ahead of me. As a young kid, I looked up to the teenage Olympic gymnasts, as a mid-20s marathoner, it admired the amazingly fast endurance athletes well into their 30s – which at the time, seemed so old! 

Now that I am over 50 myself, I am still inspired by the generations of ahead of me – those women who are still whole-heartedly pursuing their fitness passions (and excelling) well into their fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties and beyond. Read on to discover the Six Amazing Female Athletes over 55 who continue to inspire me day after day!

Before I get into my starry-eyed list of 6 Amazing Female Athletes Over 55, let me acknowledge the hard work and resolute determination it takes to excel in a sport at any age. Hours upon hours of training every week, mindful attention to diet and workout recovery, the ability to focus on a goal despite life’s barrage of distractions, and the tenacity to not give up when it seems that you should.  And, honestly, all of these things get a little harder the older you become. Plus, when it comes to sheer fitness, some abilities do decrease a bit with each increasing year – flexibility, muscle mass, VO2 max, reflex time and such. However, let me point out that research shows a well-trained 80-year old has higher fitness benchmarks than a sedentary 20-year old. So, let’s keep on KEEPING ON! 

I truly believe that age IS just a number and that we all should stop limiting ourselves based on this number and just start living life! For example, regardless of my age, I have qualified for the Boston Marathon in every marathon I’ve finished for the last 25 years – and I’m not planning on quitting that streak anytime soon (and treated myself to this awesome jacket from the Boston Marathon gear at Adidas as extra motivation.)

Enough about me, because I am inspired by others. This following round-up of Six Amazing Female Athletes Over 55 are those that I’ve followed and been moved, inspired, invigorated, and moved by in some way.  Each one reminds me that you are never too old to take up a new challenge, set new goals and life your best life.

Joan Benoit Samuelson (61): This enduring marathon superstar is at the top of my list because I am so absolutely fascinated and inspired by her humble demeanor and longevity as a top performer. Maybe to stalker-ish proportions, haha! I actually was at a loss for words when I realized I was running RIGHT NEXT TO HER in the 2012 Boston Marathon. Apparently, she was just “running easy” with her grown daughter. And, obviously so, because this lady has been super speedy for a long time. In 1979, Joan won the Boston Marathon, in her first running of it. She also handily nabbed the gold medal at the Olympic debut of the Women’s Marathon at the 1984 summer games in Los Angeles along with winning or placing in the top of so many other important races in the running community.  Even earlier this month, at the Chicago Marathon 2018, Joan continued to prove herself as an amazing competitor and human being in an attempt to break the Marathon 60 – 64 Age Group World Record (which currently stands at a 3:01:30). She missed her goal by just a few minutes, but age-graded she ran the equivalent of a 2:25 marathon, proving she is still at the top of her game. I love her. 

Andrea Owen (56): I don’t personally know this Spartan Race rock star (however, I’m sure we’ll show up at the same race soon and she’ll blow right past me), but she won the 50+ division at the 2018 Spartan World Championship in Tahoe plus numerous other events! Although athletic her entire life, she’s been doing these type obstacle course races since only age 52 after being “drug” to a race by her teenage son. Andrea is quoted saying, “I continue to race because it is a sport that my whole family has been able to do together. I also love the challenge, it is always changing with new obstacles being added.” This is a badass mom that inspires me!

Shaun Havard (62): This fierce lady has earned the title of “Fittest on Earth” in the 60+ division of the CrossFit Games for the last two out of three years. As someone who has done the CrossFit Games Open workouts for 7 years, I can tell you this is an AMAZING accomplishment, a person has to be an all-around athlete with so many skills and talents to pull something like this off. She downplays the wins, saying the workouts were in her “wheelhouse,” and she got a “bit lucky.” But in this sport, you have to be ready for anything! Shaun says she will keep competing as long as I “feel good and feel capable of training.” You go girl!  Right now, the CrossFit Games age out in the 60+ division, but I’m wondering with so many excellent master’s athletes joining the sport, if we may see some new age groups carved out?!

Ernastine Shepard (84): Is an inspiring bodybuilder, runner and now coach who came into fitness later in life. In her mid-50s, she started going to the gym to look better in a bathing suit and was soon hooked. After starting slow and making herself stronger incrementally, Ernastine began flexing it up at bodybuilding competitions and has won over women decades younger. She also likes to run 5ks and 10ks, and marathons too, at one point running upwards of 80 miles a week at peak training. Perhaps what I find most inspirational is the personal mantra she lives by – “Determined, Dedicated, Disciplined to be Fit” and also how she shares her passion for fitness by teaching senior women how to reach their physical potential. 

Sister Madonna Buder (age 88): Buder has been blessed by the triathlon community with the nickname, “Iron Nun.” She is the current record holder for the oldest woman to ever finish an Ironman Triathlon, a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run accomplishment she achieved at age 82. Buder also didn’t begin running until age 48, starting as an almost meditative way to calm the “mind, body and spirit.” She ran her first competitive triathlon at age 52, and to date has completed more than 325 triathlons of varying distances.

Tao Porchon-Lynch (100): It is hard to believe Tao was born in 1918, making her 100 years old – she has a timeless spirit and smile. Not to mention that she can bend in ways that most of us can’t at a fraction of her age! Tao started practicing yoga at age 8, and has taught for more than 40 years – she is named “The Oldest Living Yoga Teacher” by the Guinness Book of World Records. Tao has been quoted, “I’m going to teach yoga until I can’t breathe anymore.”

BTW, did you know that adidas has some really beautiful Yoga Activewear to outfit your practice?

This post is sponsored by Adidas, and I love how their gear helps me “suit up” with fashion and function for women’s running and workout training so that I can accomplish all my goals with even more “bam” and “pow” than planned!

Who has inspired you on your fitness journey? Please share in the comments, XOXO, Jennifer