STEEL TOUGH

Increasing numbers of ordinary Irish women are reaping the physical and social benefits of fitness challenges such as marathons and triathlons, writes Sharon Ní Chonchúir

THERE was once a time when the urge to get fit and lose weight would drive women to the gym. There, they would sign up for aerobics classes in an attempt to emulate celebrity fitness gurus like Jane Fonda.

While today’s women haven’t abandoned aerobics or fitness videos, more of them are setting themselves more serious challenges. Challenges such as marathons, triathlons and Ironman competitions which have traditionally been the realm of macho males. Challenges which require them to spend long hours pounding pavements, cycling the roads and swimming in the ocean. What motivates them to do this?