New Jersey grandma, 80, stuns the world by accomplishing remarkable sporting feat

An 80-year-old New Jersey grandmother set a record by becoming the oldest woman to ever finish the Ironman World Championship over the weekend.

Natalie Grabow completed the grueling race in Hawaii by running a 26.2 mile marathon, biking 112 miles, and swimming 2.4 miles in the open ocean - all in the same day.

She competed the course in a time of 16 hours, 45 minutes and 26 seconds.

Speaking to the New York Post after the event, Grabow revealed she never once faltered in her convictions on a day where 60 other triathletes of various ages backed out of the race.

'I'm never close to giving up,' Grabow told the outlet. 'I love the feeling of working hard and accomplishing a goal.'

It's the tenth time Grabow has gone to the islands of Hawaii to compete in a race.

Grabow admitted that the swimming portion was the hardest part of the race for her, saying, 'It's always a contact sport. You're always getting hit in the head, and my goggles were kinda getting knocked off.'

She told the outlet that not only is it important to train rigorously. It's also crucial to stay in touch with what your body is telling you.

'Some of the best women pros have problems with overheating. You never know what your body is going to do. It's a matter of really constantly evaluating how you feel and what you need; what nutrition you need,' she said.

'[That way], I always stay mentally good, so I don't get fuzzy or feeling like I'm not gonna go on.'

Just before reaching the finish line, Grabow stumbled and fell. But she quickly got back up to finish the race.

'It feels wonderful,' she said. 'It's really great to feel like you've done your best and given it everything you have.'

Grabow is still two years short of the record for the oldest woman to complete any IronMan race - currently held by Madonna Buder, who was 82 when she set the record.

'But you can't say how you're gonna feel at 82 when you're 80,' she said. 'You just have to enjoy the day to day.'

She even offered advice on how to stay healthy into your later years.

'Whether you choose pickleball or dancing or whatever, it's just really important to move your body and stay strong. Especially as you get older, when you feel strong in the body, you feel strong in the mind — they go together and it gives you confidence,' she said.

'You really just have to keep moving. And I would say be consistent with it.'