Published March 18, 2011 08:24AM
Buder has completed more than 40 Ironman and shows no sign of slowing down.
Sister Madonna Buder is one tough nun.
In the past 30 years, the Roman Catholic nun from Spokane has completed more than 325 triathlons, including some 40 Ironman races, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26-mile run.
At age 80, a time in life when most people her age may be considering a little slower pace, Sister Buder, known as “The Iron Nun,” is still going strong. She’s making plans to race in the Boston Marathon next month.
This week, Sister Buder brought her energy and sense of humor to Barry University as part of the the university’s School of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences Lecture Series. She spoke to about 100 students and faculty members about how she got her start running, her new autobiography, “The Grace to Race” and most importantly, her commitment to her faith.
“When I was growing up there was no track for women, running was connected to sports like tennis,” said Sister Buder. “I didn’t think I could get out there and just run for no good reason. I thought, ‘That’s stupid!’”
But when she began running over 30 years ago, she quickly discovered she didn’t want to stop.
Read more: The Miami Herald