Kim Rouse Interview

Kim Rouse in Kona, HI. 2011

GT: How long have you been playing in endurance sports?

I started jogging in college and pretty much just did that for a few years.  I kept increasing the distance slowly because I fell in love with it.  It wasn't until 1984 when Joan won the 1st Olympic Marathon that I decided I wanted to try one.  With 2 long runs and even pacing, I had a great experience in the San Diego Marathon with a time of 3:16.  I was so excited because I qualified for Boston.  The qualifying time then was 3:20 so it was really a thrill.  I went and improved to a 3:02 and that was the beginning of my competitive career as a marathoner.  I went on to qualify for the 1988 Olympic trials with a 2:45 in Twin Cities and then a 2:42:05 at the trials.  I lowered my times for all the other distances along the way and really had fun traveling and racing.  

 GT: When did you get your start in multisport?

After meeting my husband Mike, I tried some ultra runs and really enjoyed them.  Then, in 2003 Mike decided he wanted to do Ironman so I just trained with him.  The next thing I knew, I won Honu 70.3 and qualified for Kona.  I hadn't really had that goal but was really pushed into it.  Of course I fell in love with it and have been going ever since.

 GT: So, is it fair to say you’re racing in an age-group above 45-49?

It's very fair to say that I am above the 45-49 age group as I am 56 and pushing the 60 and over soon enough.

 GT:  What are some specific challenges you experience training and staying so active as you age [gracefully!]? How do you address them so you can keep playing in your favorite sports?

The challenges I face are many.  One is that I don't recover as easily as I used to.  I was fortunate to meet my coach, Rebecca MeKee last spring and she has really changed the way I train.  I don't train the same all year.  I also started taking supplements that aid in my recovery too and that has helped.  She has me doing alot of core work that has balanced me out.  I can really feel the difference and do NOT overtrain.  Training smart is really the key for me now.

GT: What about “The Menopause”. Tell us, what nutrition, health or training tips can you share with us to help us get through!

I have managed the menopause fairly well and am still on estrogen.  I had terrible hot flashes that would keep me up all night and I was very tired.  make me smile. 

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Kim Rouse took 3rd place at the World Ironman Championships in Kona, HI.  A short 2 months later, she took 1st place in her age group at UltraMan Championships in Hawaii - a triple irondistance triathlon over a 3 day period.