Not many athletes take up a completely new sport in their 40s, but Boston Bruins legend Zdeno Chara is one of the few who has. Two years after retiring from hockey, Chara has become a skilled endurance athlete, completing eight marathons, including two Boston Marathons, a half Ironman, and a full Ironman, which he finished last Saturday. His next challenge is the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, this October.
Chara explained to Runner’s World that his transition from hockey to endurance sports felt natural since he has always enjoyed cycling and running. An Ironman involves a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a full marathon. Chara completed his first Ironman in 10:40:48, with times of 1:26:08 for the swim, 5:12:03 for the bike, and 3:48:54 for the marathon.
He dedicates 18 to 20 hours a week to training but places equal importance on recovery. “It’s a delicate balance, especially as I adapt to endurance sports after years of hockey-specific training,” Chara said.
At 47, Chara’s impressive NHL career spanned 1,680 games over 24 seasons, mostly with the Bruins, where he served as captain and was known for his leadership. He won the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2011 and the Norris Trophy in 2009.
Now a future Hall of Famer, Chara is passionate about his new endurance sports journey. “Being part of the endurance sports community has been incredibly rewarding,” he shared. “This new chapter has been more fulfilling than I ever imagined, and I’m excited for the many finish lines still ahead.”