Age is a just a number & sex is just a division

Unless you consume absolutely no mainstream or social media of any type, it’s very likely you’ve seen this incredible feat by Kacy Catanzaro, the first woman to finish the American Ninja Warrior finals course.

It’s incredible. It’s inspiring. And, it made me weep, thinking of how accomplished, how fulfilled this woman must feel.

But, the more I thought about it, the more there was something about the response to her achievement that irked me. The tone in the announcer’s voices, the amazement on the faces of the spectators, the proclamations of utter surprise all about the social webs–including myself at first.

salmonladderThe more I thought about Catanzaro’s accomplishment, the more I asked myself: what is so unbelievable or surprising about a fierce woman doing powerful things?

Women have the capacity to give birth to human life. Pretty sure the salmon ladder pales in comparison. #justsayin’

Can every woman person complete the American Ninja Warrior course in similar BAMF fashion? Of course not! This woman (and others who finish the course) have a special mix of talent, grit, motivation, and work ethic.

There can be no doubt that it’s inspirational to watch these athletes work the course. But, it’s not unbelievable.

It takes a special kind of athlete willing to do a great deal of hard work in order to make a dream become reality–whether that’s the American Ninja Warrior, a first-time 5k, or well, sure, an Ironman.

Yet, I think that accomplishment has so much less to do with the body’s reproductive plumbing than it does with mental and physical training and preparation.

Catanzaro beasted that course because she believed she could, and because she worked hard to make it happen.

More recently on American Ninja Warrior (okay, yes, we watch the show just a little bit), there were similar oohs and aahs about 52-year-old Jon Stewart (not of Daily Show fame), who is the oldest man to have completed the American Ninja Warrior finals course.

I was pumped to see him do it. Again, it’s 100% inspirational. It’s evidence that we can do what set out to achieve if we believe and we put in the work. But, just as with the response to Catanzaro, I found myself irked with the tone: what’s so unbelievable about continuing to push the body past perceived limits – regardless of age or sex? Regardless of other aspects of the self that we may have constructed as limitations?

While the national TV audience is getting a glimpse of this amazeballment of women and older men defying stereotypes, this is something those of us in the endurance sport community see pretty much all of the time.

It does not surprise me that women are able to play on the same field as the men–and are often able to do it better. We’ve got a name for it. It’s called “getting chicked.”

It does not surprise me that older athletes are able to play on the same field as the spring chickens. I train and race regularly next to people who are older, wiser and faster than me. I’ve learned so much from them, and their support and competition has made me a better and smarter athlete. I look forward to the days when they kick my ass.

I’ve seen 70- and 80-somethings cross the finish line at every Ironman I’ve ever done, and at the Ironman World Championship. John and I met a 70-something man who completed a 50 mile race every weekend for an entire season. I’ve read about Fauja Singh, the 100+ year old man who runs marathons.

None of these people are resigned to the rocking chair, geritol or medicare.

I could continue to list amazing feats that defy stereotypes and imagination. But, let’s just keep it simple with this: People are awesome and they can do awesome things if they open their minds to the possibility that it can be done. As long as we don’t put arbitrary limits on what we can do because of age, sex, or whatever other limiter we might pick, then we can be awesome too.

There are plenty enough challenges in endurance sport. There’s no need to go making up ones.

If I’ve said this once, I’ve said a gajillion times on this blog and in my life: What the mind believes, the body achieves.

Does that mean the achievement happens magically? Uh, no. It still takes hard work – but you have to open your mind to the possibility that the hard work will lead you to the goal you seek.

Because it absolutely will do that.

I’m in my 40s now, and in some circles, I hear people suggest that the 40s (or beyond) are somehow the beginning of the end of physical ability.

I positively absolutely refuse to accept that. *Stomps feet*

A little over a month ago, I set a marathon PR during Ironman Coeur d’Alene.That’s right: I ran my fastest marathon ever during an Ironman. Truth be told, it’s got me wanting to run a straight marathon, which I haven’t done since Boston in 2011. I’ve always wanted to go 3:15-3:20. Let’s see what this old lady can do, shall we?

Okay, some might say, so you can improve as you age. But, the 20-somethings are still faster, right? Wrong.

At IMCdA, I was the 27th overall female to cross the finish line. Do you know how many 20-something females I left in my wake? Every single one except for 3. John was the 34th person overall to cross the finish line at IMCdA. Do you know how many 20-somethings he crushed? Every single one except for 5.

My friend courtney at the beginning and end of her first triathlon (Brigantine Tri, August 2, 2014).
My friend courtney at the beginning and end of her first triathlon (Brigantine Tri, August 2, 2014). You are a WARRIOR, Court!!

Age and sex are not limiters to physical ability. They are an integral part of who we are as athletes, as people. Age and sex (and other characteristics) add to who we are as athletes. Too often, we might see them as detracting from what we’ve constructed as the norm: a fast, young male. Well, that’s just one type of athlete. There are so many more than that.

Skeptical? Well, go to the finish line of an Ironman. You’ll see what I mean.

Recently, my dear friend Courtney (who I’ve known since we were 11!) finished her first triathlon on August 2nd. She is 41 years old and has 4 kids.

When she gave me the post-race report, she said, “I loved seeing the ages on the calves.”

“Yeah?” I responded. While there was a question in my voice, I already knew what she was going to say.

“I was passing 20 and 30 year olds, and I thought, ‘I have 4 kids and I’m 41. See ya, bye!'”

My friend doesn’t set limits. She sets goals. And, then she goes after them. You know what that got her? First place in her age group in her first ever triathlon.

As I like to say, BA BLAM BOOM DIGGITY DANG!!

Courtney inspires me, but I’m not surprised one bit by her rockstar performance. I know there’s not much that can stand in a person’s way when they are determined to achieve – and their mind believes.

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What perceived limits have you broken through? What big goals are you working towards? Have thoughts about what I’ve written here? Please join the coversation in the comments!

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