We’re fitter at 50 than ever before
Newsreader Sophie Raworth, 51, says her marathon times keep getting faster with age – and she’s not alone, as these two fit 50-plus women prove
I often race over hundreds of miles
FIONA OAKES, 53, lives in Essex with her partner Martin. Together they run an animal sanctuary. Fiona races ultra-marathons and represents Great Britain in the half-marathon and 10k distances
When it comes to ultra-marathon races, I’m definitely getting faster and fitter.
In 2018, when I was 51, I did the Atacama Crossing, a seven-day race over 250km. I couldn’t have done that a few years ago.
For me it’s all about mental attitude. I’ve got the experience that age brings.You know what you can and can’t do and you know you’re not invincible.You can work to your strengths and know your weaknesses.
I’m 53 now and the sky really is the limit. This year, I’m tackling the Four Deserts Grand Slam, which is a week-long race.
In my teenage years, I had multiple operations on both my legs and had my right kneecap removed.At the time doctors told me I would never walk properly again, let alone run.
When we opened Tower Hill Stables (towerhillstables.org), an animal sanctuary in Essex,
I wanted to go back into sport to raise funds for it.
At the time Paula Radcliffe was doing really well in the marathon and she inspired me to take up marathon running aged 37. I ran my first marathon in 2002.
From there I honed my training and kept taking it to the next level. And my strength seems to keep improving with age.
These days I mostly do ultra races, which can be any length over a standard marathon but often involve running hundreds of miles.
To train, I run nine times a week for around two hours a day. I have 600 animals to look after at the sanctuary, so I’m constantly lifting bags of hay and feed, and I walk round in a weights vest all day as that gives me free resistance training.
I get up at 3.30am and hop on the treadmill in the morning, then look after the animals before going out for a training run in the evening.
I’m vegan, but I’m very relaxed about my diet. I only eat one meal a day, as it’s all I’ve got time for.
In the evening, I eat a normalsized meal that is based on seasonal fresh veg and fruit, wholegrains and nuts.
I’m constantly changing my goals and mindset. I’m doing this four deserts race because it’s tough and I’m up for the challenge. I want to grow more and learn about myself. I want to challenge my body, but I definitely wouldn’t have had the confidence or strength when I was younger to do these. It’s about reaching your full potential, and being able to gauge what that is and knowing how to access it.
I have the body fat of an athlete
At school I was a cross-country runner and on the netball team, but I lost all interest in sport when I went to university. In my 20s I worked as a tour guide in the Grand Canyon and would occasionally go to the gym if someone else was going, but I would never be consistent with exercise.
However, these days, I build everything around my fitness routine. It started in 2014 when my dad was diagnosed with myeloma. It was such an aggressive cancer and he couldn’t be around anyone if they were ill, even with a cold, so I became interested in keeping healthy.
It was a very difficult and distressing time. I would drive two hours to be with him while he had his treatment and would work from the hospital, sitting next to him.
It was during this time that I found a kettlebell class, just five minutes walk from my home.
I started with a 4kg kettlebell – I use a 14kg one these days – and found the class a real challenge. But it was also very encouraging. The instructor Mel was inspiring, and there were people of all ages and sizes.
I was initially interested because I wanted to stay healthy so I could look after my dad, but I found it had an amazing effect on my mental health, too. Before long I was going three times a week. My interest in fitness grew from that, and I was curious about how I could develop a strong back as I got older. I asked Mel to train me one-on-one along with going to her classes. Since then, I’ve noticed a real change in my shape, but the biggest change is my body fat percentage, which has dropped from 34 per cent to 20.2 per cent. This puts me in the range of an athlete.
I keep getting stronger, too. I can hold the plank position for four or five minutes, and I can skip for nearly five minutes.
My mindset has changed, too. I’ve got to know my body and know the difference between discomfort and not being able to do something. I find it mentally empowers me outside of the gym.
I’d never skip a class for a social engagement and if I do have to miss one for some reason, I’ll get up the following day and do my own workout. It’s so important for my wellbeing that I can’t imagine not exercising.