Bill Chappell

On Saturday, Grabeau finished the grueling Ironman course in Hawaii.

At 80 years old, she swam more than two miles in the ocean, biked 112 miles, and then ran a marathon-length course.

She set a new record as the oldest female athlete to finish the race.

That brought wide praise for Grabeau, who trains at her local YMCA and a high school track near her home in New Jersey.

In an email to NPR before her flight home, Grabeau says she's grateful she can still compete.

As for learning to swim, she said it proves it's never too late to take on a new challenge.

Bill Chappell, NPR News.