12/20/24
Strong Woman Spotlight - Ten Times IronWoman Lindsay Richards
I am humbled to know Lindsay.
She has completed 10 Full Ironman Triathlons which in itself is an extraordinary feat but guess what?? She did her first one at 50 years old.
She is so unassuming. I used to write nutrition plans for IronMan - I know what it takes... this is one EXTRAORDINARY woman.
Afternoon from a warm Perth, Western Australia.
Introducing myself to you all.
Im originally from Omokoroa, Tauranga. Nee Barrett from Barrett's Store Highway One for those that may remember.
My childhood was beach, horses, bikes.
In the beginning, I was a land girl out at Pikowai & then I rousied in the Waikato, South Island & Western Australia.
This is where I met my husband, Peter, a shearer. When I fell pregnant we decided to move to WA. The year was 1989.
By 1991 I had my second daughter.
So life moved pretty fast for some years as you could imagine. Kids sports, part-time jobs, etc. Not a lot of time for me... until one day I woke up.
Jump forward to 2006. I introduced myself to the world of triathlon. I started swimming one length at a time, running one lamp post at a time.
I started on an old mountain bike until Pete kindly brought me a road bike for Christmas.
After a couple of years, I started thinking about the longer distances—the Half-Ironman (she did 3) and the Full Ironman (x10!!!). At this time, I introduced some strength stuff—Crossfit. This worked for a while, but a few injuries started to come in.
Looking back on my words it strikes me as sounding easy! It wasn’t. I'm no natural athlete of that I can assure you.
It just seemed the more I trained the stronger I got & the more I learnt. The more I wanted to test myself.
I've done a bit of hiking. So that gives a huge base. Never underestimate the strength of walking.
So then I started looking at the ultra distance. Anything over 50 km is an ultra. I've completed a 50, a couple of 100’s and my next challenge is going to be a 100 miler. Here in Western Australia. This event is called the Delirious 100/200 miler. The cutoff is 64 hours. Wish me luck.
Of course, then I may have to look at the 200 miler, but l must not run before I've walked, right?
Getting the nutrition, weight, and rest right has always tested me. I've learnt to listen to my body.
I was so fortunate to be introduced to Ginny and her wealth of knowledge. Although I have to admit I've never physically met you.
Never say never. One day either here in Perth or when I get home again I look forward to a meetup.
So in closing, keep trying and never give up. I'll never get on a podium but where humanly possible I’ll always finish.
I’ll be 64 years young next year.
I wear one of Outlook for Life's necklaces.
DREAM BELIEVE ACHIEVE. A pretty good mantra, don’t you agree?
Outlook for Life Jewellery collection.
Thanks for reading.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.
Regards from
Lindsay Richards.