Every morning, Dottie Dorion, 91, mounts her Peloton bicycle rather than reaching for a cup of tea or taking a leisurely stroll.
The Jacksonville resident has accumulated close to 3,000 cycling sessions on the fitness equipment.
The nonagenarian's daily routine demonstrates that advanced years don't need to limit physical capability or commitment to exercise.
Since retiring from competitions, the seasoned triathlete and triple Ironman finisher has transformed her residence into a dedicated fitness facility.
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|The 91-year-old combines cycling with yoga practice and strength exercises
But Dorion's dedication extends beyond mere participation. She successfully lobbied Peloton to introduce competitive categories for riders in their nineties and beyond, a campaign that required legal representation and twelve months of persistence.
The accomplished athlete's sporting achievements span approximately 250 endurance events, encompassing marathons and triathlons. Her competitive history includes participation in three Ironman contests.
"My motto is always 'Use it or lose it,'" she explained during a recent interview. "I was on the bike this morning for 45 minutes, and I just got back from yoga."
Her daily regimen combines cycling with yoga practice and strength exercises. This comprehensive approach to fitness reflects her belief that regular activity prevents physical decline.
"I think consistency is a mark of greatness," Dorion stated when discussing her training philosophy with local media earlier this year.
The fitness technology company initially grouped all riders above sixty into a single competitive bracket. Dorion found herself competing against what she described as "those young 80-year-olds", prompting her to contact Peloton's chief executive directly.
When her correspondence went unanswered, she enlisted solicitors to pursue the matter. The legal intervention sparked months of negotiations with the company, where just six per cent of users are over 65.
Following the protracted discussions, Peloton agreed to create separate divisions for nonagenarians and centenarians. "What took you so long?" Dorion remarked when the company finally confirmed the new categories.
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|Dorion entered her first Ironman competition in 1985
Dorion's sporting journey commenced at 52 when she decided to enter her first Ironman competition in 1985. "I said, oh my God, I've gotta learn how to swim," she recalled. "So I did, I learned how to swim."
Her athletic pursuits began after abandoning tennis in her forties whilst residing in Jacksonville's Deerwood area. She sought fresh challenges beyond the sport's social demands.
"In some way, you have to be a little obsessed," she acknowledged during a home interview. Her life story features in the documentary "Beyond Triathlon", which chronicles her pioneering endurance racing alongside Denver's Celeste Callahan.
"You can never give up," Dorion stated. "If you're doing the right things for the right reasons, it's gonna turn out well."