‘I entered perimenopause – and signed up for an Ironman’
DONNA MCCONNELL, 54, from London, now a full-time sportsperson
‘Four years ago, I was fast approaching menopause and a big birthday – my 50th. But instead of dreading it, I made a conscious decision to embrace it. So, on a whim, I signed up to do a triathlon, followed by an Ironman the following year. And I haven’t looked back.
When I first started to get signs of the perimenopause, I felt pretty emotional. I was 49 when my periods became irregular and heavy, my energy was low and I felt disconnected to my friends. I then read The Wisdom of Menopause by Christiane Northrup. It broke down the menopause and explained the hormonal changes.
I started to think about what I wanted from life going forward – and it was new friends and experiences. Exercise had always kept me healthy and stable, so I explored that more. I sought out women on Instagram who were into fitness and came across the account @10ironwomen.
There was a post calling for women to take part in the Barcelona Ironman triathlon the following year, which
‘My life now
is about setting new challenges’
involved a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and a full marathon of 42.2km. Having never done anything like this before, but figuring this was exactly what embracing a new chapter in life was all about, I signed up.
I then signed up for a triathlon (1.5km swim, 40km bike ride, 10k run) to work towards in the interim. And I threw myself into training, which gave me a positive focus away from what was happening in my body.
It also opened up new opportunities to meet people. I connected with cycling groups, such as the Black Cyclists Network and Rapha Women, and went on rides with them. Previously, I’d been self-conscious about being older, curvier and less experienced. But knowing I had to train forced me out, and none of the things I’d worried about mattered.
Women of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities came together to ride. With all the training (about 10-12 hours a week), I had more energy and was losing stubborn weight around my stomach, which I’d not been able to shift previously.
My new lease of life didn’t mean that the symptoms of perimenopause vanished. In fact, I got one of my heaviest periods on the morning of my triathlon. It brought me to tears, as between each section of the race, I had to run to the toilet to change my tampon. But I did it.
The Ironman was put back a year because of the pandemic, but it meant that I had more time to train. I completed it in 2021, in 15 hours. It was so difficult, but finishing was incredible. I felt empowered.
My life now is all about setting myself new challenges and feeling strong and healthy. I’ve done the London to Brighton and London to Paris bike rides, and I’m doing a half-marathon soon too. I’m also a ride leader for Chain Gang Cyclists on weekend rides. I organise cycle groups, lead them to a destination, then we go for coffee, which I love.
Looking for the positives and throwing myself into this next stage of life was a change I’m glad I made. I think women are fearful about midlife and of admitting they’re experiencing peri/meno because it ages you. But age shouldn’t hold anyone back. The things that you want to do – or had never even thought about doing – are still possible. Middle age doesn’t mean life stops, it’s a new beginning.’ ✢ @the_ironempress