Tough Girl Podcast Theresa Frost: 68-year-old Ironman, European Aquabike Champion, smallholder, wife of over 40 years, mum of 2, and grandma to 3. Proving age and a double hip replacement are no reasons to slow down.
In this episode, we have the privilege of chatting with Theresa Frost, a remarkable 68-year-old athlete who shatters stereotypes and redefines what it means to stay active and competitive at any age.
Theresa's list of accomplishments is as impressive as it is diverse, including:
- European Aquabike Champion 2023
- Team GB Athlete
- Barcelona Ironman Finisher 2022
- 70.3 World Championships Competitor 2016
Theresa's journey is a testament to her incredible resilience and determination. A retired teacher and smallholder living in Cornwall, UK, she balances her athletic pursuits with her family life, being a wife of over 40 years, a mother of two, and a grandmother of three.
In this episode, Theresa shares her fascinating life story, from her active childhood on a farm in Gloucester to her impressive achievements in the world of endurance sports. She talks about her initial foray into running after the birth of her daughter, Harriet, and how this led to her participation in multiple London Marathons and ultimately, Ironman competitions.
Listeners will hear about Theresa's triumphs and challenges, including overcoming double hip replacements, her rigorous training schedule, and her philosophy on staying active and healthy.
Whether you're looking for inspiration to take on a new challenge or tips on staying fit and motivated at any age, Theresa Frost's story is sure to captivate and inspire.
Tune in to learn how Theresa continues to defy expectations and live life to the fullest, proving that age and obstacles are no barriers to achieving greatness.
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Show notes
- Who is Theresa
- Retired teacher and small holder
- Being a GB athlete and competing in standard, middle and long distance Aquabike (Swim and bike of a triathlon)
- Being European Distance Champion for the 65- 69 age group
- Based in Cornwall, UK
- 68 years young
- Reflecting back on her childhood and growing up on a farm in Gloucester with her 3 siblings
- Doing all of the team sports at school, from hockey, netball, rounders, tennis and gymnastics.
- Outside of school, doing Judo, fencing and sub-aqua
- Spending time outdoors exploring, and playing in the woods
- Being inspired by her sports teacher at school in both sports and education
- Becoming a PE teacher and meeting her husband at work
- Being married to Peter for 41 years, having 2 children and 3 grandchildren
- Not being active during her pregnancy's
- Getting into running after her daughter, Harriet was born
- What her running journey looked like
- Starting with 10ks and half marathons and entering the London Marathon in 1990
- Running London Marathon 5 times
- Deciding to take on a Ironman and not knowing if she had the potential to achieve it
- Doing an Ironman with Harriet
- Having 2 hip replacements 14 years ago - August 2010
- Doing the London Triathlon in 2013 at 57
- Getting more confident and training better
- 2015 doing an half ironman
- Finishing first in her age group to go to the World Championships in Australia
- Being retired and working on her smallholding
- Speaking with and working with a coach in 2021
- Deciding to commit and do a full Ironman in October 2022
- What a typical training week looks like
- Training 13 out of 14 days (not always taking a day off)
- Strength and conditioning class with Ruth
- Not being a fan of stretching
- Being a member of a running club
- GLL Better Leisure Centres, Cornwall
- SNUGGs Wetsuits
- Liking the thought of running
- Feeling pain while running
- Running on her terms
- What is Aquabike? https://www.aquabike.world/
- The European Aquabike Championships in Portugal
- The mental side of races
- Being inspired by the Eileen’s in her life
- The distances involved and fuelling during the race
- Maurten
- Food and meat from the small holding
- Needing to eat more protein
- Being a baker but not a cooker
- Food before a race and after
- Recovery and not being a fan of stretching
- Dog walking and active recovery
- Not being good at sitting down and doing nothing
- Turning 70 and looking forward to it
- How to connect with Theresa on Instagram
- Final words of advice for other women who are in their 60s and want to try new things
- Starting with one thing and why moving is so important
- Take opportunities and try new things
Social Media
Instagram: @theresa.frost