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Amazing nun fuelled with faith competes in Ironman triathlons

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The next time you think you can't do it, take a look at the Iron Nun!

Sister Madonna Buder is an 82-year-old wonder woman who claims her faith is what gets her through Ironman challenges, earning her the nickname "Iron Nun."

Deacon Keith Fournier Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

Highlights

By Kenya Sinclair (CALIFORNIA NETWORK)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
8/18/2016 (7 years ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Sister Madonna Buder, nun, Ironman, endurance, challenge

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to Christian Today, Sister Buder holds the record for being the oldest person to compete in an Ironman challenge.

She began running when she was 48-years-old when her parish priest encouraged her to maintain a healthy mind, body and soul.


Though her age has played a role in her time and associated injuries, she relies on faith to power through the pain.

Sister Buder explained the injuries or struggles are given to the Lord, who encourages her to keep going.

"All these decisions I'm having to take is a step out in faith. I have to say, 'Lord, please protect me.' Then it's ready or not, here I go."

She swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles and ran a 26.2-km marathon in 16 hours and 32 minutes for an Ironman triathlon in 2014 and has participated in 45 total Ironman events - so far.

She uses her physical lifestyle as a form of ministry and urges people to discover their gifts and God-given purpose.

In an interview with Growing Bolder, she explained: "To change the world that you are in, give to the world what you have and serve the world with what or who you are. If that doesn't say what we're here for I don't know what does.

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"It means digging deep to learn who you are and what you can do. We are all given different talents and different skills and we can't use them until we discover them. So once you have discovered it, you are obligated to use those talents and skills for the greater food of your creator."

Sister Buder is currently a star in Nike's Unlimited Youth Campaign, which encourage an active lifestyle and the slogan "Youth has no age limit."

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