{"product_id":"the-grace-to-race-the-wisdom-and-inspiration-of-the-80-year-old-world-champion-triathlete-known-as-the-iron-nun-9781439177495","title":"The Grace to Race: The Wisdom and Inspiration of the 80-Year-Old World Champion Triathlete Known as the Iron Nun","description":"SISTER MADONNA BUDER is 80 years old, has run more than 340 triathlons, and doesn't know what all the fuss is about. In \u003ci\u003eThe Grace to Race, \u003c\/i\u003eshe shares the no-nonsense spirit and deep faith that inspired her extraordinary journey from a prominent St. Louis family to a Catholic Convent and finally to championship finish lines all over the world. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAs a beautiful young woman, she became an elegant equestrian and accomplished amateur actress. But as she describes in this intimate memoir, she had a secret plan as early as 14: she wanted to devote her life to God. After being courted by the most eligible bachelors in her hometown, she chose a different path and became a Sister of the Good Shepherd. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eShe lived a mostly cloistered life as a Nun until her late forties, when a Priest suggested she take a run on the beach. She dug up a pair of shorts in a pile of donated clothes, found a pair of second-hand tennis shoes, and had a second epiphany. This time, she discovered the spiritual joy of pushing her body to the limit and of seeing God's natural world in all its splendor. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMore than thirty years later, she is known as the Iron Nun for all the triathlons she has won. Just five years ago, the age 75-79 category was created for her at the Hawaiian Ironman in Kona, where she completed a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a full 26.2-mile marathon in record time. Now she has set her sights on a new goal: inaugurating another new Ironman age group, 80-84, in 2010. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSister Madonna holds dozens of records, has broken dozens of bones, and tells of dozens of miracles and angels that propelled her to a far-flung race. \"It is my faith that has carried me through life's ups and downs,\" she writes. \"Whenever injured, I wait for the Lord to pick me up again and set me on my feet, confidently reminding Him, 'God, you know, my intent is to keep running toward you.'\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Grace to Race \u003c\/i\u003eis the courageous story of a woman who broke with convention, followed her heart, and found her higher mission.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSISTER MADONNA BUDER, \u003c\/b\u003ealso known as \"the Iron Nun,\" \"the Flying Nun,\" and \"the Mother Superior of Triathlon,\" is a Roman Catholic nun. She began running in 1978 at age 48. As of 2009, has completed 38 marathons and 325 triathlons. An inspiration to athletes and non-athletes, the religious and the secular, she has appeared in such publications as \u003ci\u003eRunner's World\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eU.S. News \u0026amp; World Report, Sports Illustrated, AARP Bulletin, USA Today, the Seattle Times, the Denver Post, Competitor Magazine, Triathlete Magazine, Ironman Magazine, More Magazine, \u003c\/i\u003e and numerous others She lives in Washington Sate. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eKARIN EVANS \u003c\/b\u003ehas been a writer and editor at many major national publications, including \u003ci\u003eNewsweek\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eOutside, \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eHealth. \u003c\/i\u003eHer writing has also appeared in such places as \u003ci\u003eMore Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e and the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times. \u003c\/i\u003eHer book, \u003ci\u003eThe Lost Daughters of China \u003c\/i\u003e(Tarcher, Penguin\/Putnam, 2000) was a national bestseller. With Amy Tan, she co-authored the text for \u003ci\u003eMei-Mei: Portraits from a Chinese Orphanage\u003c\/i\u003e (Photographs by Richard Bowen, Chronicle Books, 2005).\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50337110589714,"sku":"9781439177495","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_e24b0733-672b-45fb-8884-a44e91f8ea7a.jpg?v=1727954111","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-grace-to-race-the-wisdom-and-inspiration-of-the-80-year-old-world-champion-triathlete-known-as-the-iron-nun-9781439177495","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}