At 65, Diane Grim was the oldest woman competing at the Western States 100–widely considered one of the toughest organized trail runs in the United States–this year. It was her first ever 100 miler and she didn’t even start running till she was in her 50s, but as she says, every mile, every step is a gift, so why not? She didn’t have the day she hoped for, but she left filled with pride, hope of better days to come, and a newfound goal to wrap up some unfinished business. This week she shares her successes, failures, her crazy training days during menopause, and why you’re never too old to be young again. 

Diane is a former bike racer turned trail runner at age 50, and she hasn’t literally or figuratively backpedaled since! Diane’s trail friends call her “MacGyver” thanks to her love of problem-solving and making things on the fly. She runs by the motto: If you can’t run fast, run smart. Every mile is a gift! Anywhere outside is Diane’s happy place and you can find her hammock camping, landscaping, building stuff or running through the woods like a kid! Diane is so grateful to be running Western States, proudly sponsored by the HOKA Outreach Program.

Resources:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLYYfiPPtw0/

https://trailsisters.net/women-of-wser/#:~:text=the%20Panelists%20%26%20Host-,Diane%20Grim,t%20run%20fast%2C%20run%20smart.

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