Meet the couple embracing HYROX in midlife

Christine and Lawrence stand proud on the podium

“When I said ‘yes’ to HYROX, I had no idea it would lead to my husband Lawrence and me clinching third place at Singapore National Stadium, with a time of 1:26:41. I’m not your traditional ‘fitness fanatic’. My life involves working long hours as a Certified Public Accountant, and exercise did not used to be part of my schedule. I tried to find a workout routine that suited me, but my spare time was taken up by my job and socialising with friends. Then, as I got older, I began to notice the dreaded effects of age. My weight started creeping up, I got backaches, and my doctor told me I needed to strengthen my core muscles and lose some weight. That advice was a turning point.

At first, getting fit was simply about looking after my health; I wasn’t motivated by looks, I just wanted to feel better. It was during the Covid lockdowns, when I was in my early 40s, that I signed up with a personal trainer. I started weight training twice a week, learning everything from scratch. Those early sessions were very humbling, and tough – it was the first time I’d exercised that way, and while I wouldn’t say I loved it, I noticed the benefits quickly. I slept better, my posture improved, my back pain eased, and I felt more energised than usual. I began to feel good in my own body and that mindset kept me consistent.

Before long, fitness became part of my weekly routine, then part of my identity. After weight training came Pilates and running, and soon I was exercising almost six days a week, something I genuinely looked forward to.

Finding strength in my 40s

It was only last year that my trainer at Ultimate Performance (ultimateperformance.com/sg), Faiz, introduced me to HYROX. He’d competed before and shared his experience, which sounded extremely difficult yet also a great challenge. Out of curiosity, I started researching and watching race videos on Instagram. My first thoughts were that it looked super intense – eight rounds of 1km runs combined with functional fitness stations. Still, I could see it was achievable with the right preparation.

I mentioned giving HYROX a go to Lawrence, and after some thought we decided to try it together. He’d always been active, but HYROX was new for him too. We weren’t aiming for medals – just to test ourselves and see what was possible. Starting something brand new in your 40s can feel intimidating. I worried about keeping up, avoiding injury, and having the stamina. Yet I’ve learned that fear usually means you’re stepping out of your comfort zone – and that’s where growth happens.

We started training in April 2025. With Faiz’s guidance, we built up strength and endurance, learning that training smart, not just hard, was key. Faiz reminded us that consistency beats intensity – it’s not about going all-out every session, but about showing up and doing the work, even when motivation dips. Of course my drive wavered at times, especially when my body felt tired, but having a clear goal and the support of Faiz and Lawrence kept me going. I trained three times a week focusing on weights and HYROX, ran once or twice a week, and did Pilates one or two times a week. Lawrence’s schedule was similar, minus the Pilates.

We pushed heavy sleds weighing up to 180kg – easily the toughest part of training for me! Weekly HYROX simulations and long Sunday runs built stamina, while fine-tuning our diet kept us on track. As we rarely drink, that was one adjustment we didn’t need to make. Instead, I focused on increasing calories and carbohydrates while avoiding foods like pizza, fried chicken, sweets, and cakes.

In the final weeks leading up to the race, Lawrence and I trained together to simulate pacing and strategy. This helped us to build trust and learn how to communicate well under pressure, even when exhausted.

Swapping cakes for weights

Healthier & happier

Fitting in training around life took some adjusting at first. While we don’t have children, we do have two lovely British Shorthairs who bring much joy (and distraction!). My work can be demanding, but I grew to treat training like a non-negotiable appointment. That meant fewer nights out with friends, but the benefits far outweighed the sacrifices.

As the race got closer, nerves set in. I worried about whether my body would hold up, but we’d trained so hard I knew we were as ready as we possibly could be. From then on, it was about staying present and enjoying the experience.
Our HYROX debut was at the Open Asian Championships at Singapore Expo in June, which brought together 13,000 athletes from across the globe for two high-intensity days of competition. The event was definitely not easy! Every station brought a new test, but my biggest struggle was battling fatigue while keeping up with Lawrence. What carried us through was trusting our training and urging each other forward.

Training together taught us that we each have strengths and weaknesses, and over time we learned to go with them instead of against them. If one of us was struggling, the other would step up with encouragement or take on more of the load – and that knowledge kept us going.

Crossing the finish line and stepping onto the podium was unforgettable. We were proud not only to represent Singapore, but also to show that ordinary people can take on extraordinary challenges. I hope others see our journey and think, ‘If they can do it, maybe I can too’.

Now we’re training for our second AIA HYROX in Singapore this November (hyrox.com), and our approach is more targeted. Working with Faiz again, we’re focusing on station-specific endurance, refining transitions, and adding structured running intervals alongside strength sessions. We know now it’s not about being the strongest or the fastest in the race – it’s about showing up, working hard, and embracing the task. For anyone curious about HYROX, my biggest tip is to start where you are. Don’t wait to be perfectly fit – you’ll build that along the way.

If HYROX has taught me anything, it’s that age is never a barrier. You don’t need the perfect background or body. You just need to start.”