{"id":364276,"date":"2026-03-25T11:48:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T11:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/364276\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T11:48:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T11:48:14","slug":"im-britains-oldest-female-ironman-triathlete-these-are-my-non-negotiable-fitness-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/364276\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018I\u2019m Britain\u2019s oldest female Ironman triathlete \u2013 these are my non-negotiable fitness rules’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite not getting into running<\/a> until she was in her 50s and being 60 when she learnt to swim, aged 72, Eddie Brocklesby \u2013 now known to many as ‘Iron Gran<\/a>‘ \u2013 became the oldest British woman to complete an Ironman (later repeating the feat at 74). And now in her early 80s, fitness remains a huge part of Eddie’s life.<\/p>\n

It all started with a half marathon<\/a>, which she entered partly to prove to her husband that she could indeed run that distance. But before long, Eddie was completing marathons<\/a>, triathlons<\/a> and Ironmans. And in 2013, following the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, she founded Silverfit<\/a>, a charity promoting healthy ageing through affordable physical activity. It currently provides 32 weekly sessions across eight London boroughs. <\/p>\n

Eddie says that her husband \u2013 a football player \u2013 had always been \u2018much fitter\u2019 than her, and when he played matches at the University of Nottingham where they met, she was firmly a spectator. So, when he died, it motivated Eddie to keep going with her own fitness endeavours. <\/p>\n

\u2018We had a couple of months when we knew he was terminally ill, and we recognised that I was the lucky one and to make the most of your life,\u2019 she tells WH. \u2018That, to me, was the incentive to keep going.\u2019 So committed is Eddie to staying strong and active \u2013 and helping others do the same \u2013 that she\u2019ll be immortalised in paint in the new series of Extraordinary Portraits<\/a>; triathlon kit and all.
<\/p>\n

Eddie is currently recovering from a fall so is easing back into things (although she has her sights set on an upcoming 10k race), but several doctors have said that she would \u2018be in a far worse state\u2019 had it not been for her high fitness level. Below, she shares the top training tips that help her stay strong, active and able to recover well.<\/p>\n

\"ironInstagram \/ _irongran_<\/p>\n

Eddie pictured with friend and parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt<\/p>\n

1. Be adaptable <\/p>\n

While Eddie would love to get straight back out there (she would typically run, jog, walk and cycle<\/a> regularly across the week), over the years, she\u2019s learnt to be in tune with her body and knows when to scale it back. \u2018The last thing I want is another fall at the moment,\u2019 she says, but at the same time, she adds, exercise is important for recovery, \u2018albeit with a crutch.\u2019<\/p>\n

So, alongside walking, Eddie has swapped her outdoor bike for Zwift \u2013 a global virtual cycling app \u2013 for the time being. It\u2019s safe, still a great workout and helps keep her motivated thanks to the competitive element and workout variety. \u2018I’m probably on Zwift most days \u2013 it\u2019s a bit more limited at the moment, but I did half an hour yesterday and the day before,\u2019 she says. \u2018It’s a brilliant system.\u2019<\/p>\n

2. Don\u2019t underestimate the power of walking<\/p>\n

As she\u2019s gotten older, Eddie has incorporated a lot of walking<\/a> into her weekly routine, the power of which she says shouldn\u2019t be underestimated, especially when done in a group. She doesn\u2019t have an ACL in either knee \u2013 \u2018the first one went as a result of skiing, and the second I think just from jogging\u2019 \u2013 so walking helps Eddie maintain fitness with less impact than she would experience solely running. <\/p>\n

3. Prioritise strength training <\/p>\n

\u2018It’s absolutely vital, the strength training<\/a> element of healthier ageing \u2013 for balance<\/a> and reducing falls,\u2019 says Eddie, who adds that she aims to perform strengthening exercises daily. \u2018If people have got stronger quads<\/a> and hamstrings<\/a>, then they are less likely to fall over.\u2019<\/p>\n

While Eddie does frequent the gym for swimming and strength work, she highlights the benefits of at-home bodyweight strength training, too, such as press-ups<\/a> and leg lifts, which you can do from a chair. \u2018It’s so simple, but so important to do every day if you can,\u2019 she adds.<\/p>\n

4. Reap the social benefits of exercise<\/p>\n

Eddie is part of London-based Serpentine Running and Triathlon Club, with whom she trains often. Over the years, the fitness communities (she also set up Hackney Marshes parkrun<\/a>) that she\u2019s been part of have been vital motivators. \u2018I think there’s a hugely important social element [of exercise],\u2019 she says, citing the benefits of simply getting out in the fresh air and going for a walk with others.<\/p>\n

\"ironInstagram \/ _irongran_<\/p>\n

Serpentine Running and Triathlon Club has been integral to Eddie’s fitness journey<\/p>\n

From the data the Silverfit team has collected, one thing is evident, says Eddie: \u2018You ask what keeps [them coming back] and people will answer it’s the social element.\u2019<\/p>\n

5. Start gradually and build up<\/p>\n

As Eddie has learnt firsthand, one of the key things to staying active is to start gradually before building up (she didn\u2019t dive straight into an Ironman!), like she\u2019s currently doing again post-fall. \u2018It’s far better to go in at a slower pace and build up rather than go and think, oh, God, no, this isn’t for me,\u2019 she says. \u2018It\u2019s about taking it slowly and gently to start with and not overdoing it.\u2019<\/p>\n

And for anyone who thinks it\u2019s \u2018too late\u2019 for fitness? \u2018There are so many different ways of getting out and exercising,\u2019 says Eddie \u2013 whether you choose to join a gym or not. From Nordic walking<\/a> to dance<\/a>, there\u2019s something out there for everyone. <\/p>\n

Extraordinary Portraits<\/a> with Bill Bailey returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Friday, March 27, and you can catch Eddie’s episode on Friday, April 3.<\/p>\n

After years living with endometriosis and undergoing seven rounds of IVF, Radio 4 presenter Emma Barnett turned to training with PT Frankie Holah to rebuild strength and a more positive relationship with her body. Download the Women\u2019s Health UK app to access Frankie’s full training plan.<\/p>\n

Get the app<\/a><\/p>\n

\"emma<\/a>Related Stories\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Hannah Bradfield is a Senior Health and Fitness Writer for Women\u2019s Health UK. An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Hannah graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in English and Sport Science and an MA in Media and Cultural Analysis. \u00a0She has been covering sports, health and fitness for the last five years and has created content for outlets including BBC Sport, BBC Sounds, Runner\u2019s World and Stylist. She especially enjoys interviewing those working within the community to improve access to sport, exercise and wellness. Hannah is a 2024 John Schofield Trust Fellow and was also named a 2022 Rising Star in Journalism by The Printing Charity. \u00a0A keen runner, Hannah was firmly a sprinter growing up (also dabbling in long jump) but has since transitioned to longer-distance running. While 10K is her favoured race distance, she loves running or volunteering at parkrun every Saturday, followed, of course, by pastries. She\u2019s always looking for fun new runs and races to do and brunch spots to try.<\/p>\n