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Becky Lane began strength training while recovering from surgery in February 2021. Five years later, the Fairfax County woman is preparing for a national powerlifting competition after setting a record with a 140-pound deadlift.

Lane earned the national record at a qualifying event in Pennsylvania on Valentine’s Day. The achievement secured her a place in the U.S. Powerlifting Association’s 2026 Ultra Nationals competition in California this May.

A longtime runner, Lane had to give up the activity within the past year and wanted another way to exercise. A friend suggested powerlifting, but Lane resisted until that same friend dared her to enter a competition. Three weeks later, she broke the record.

“Too often, if someone has a medical condition, once they receive that news, they just go down,” Lane said. “Whereas if they take that news and allow it to build themselves up, they can be anybody they want to be.”

Lane trains with Pete Gallelli, head trainer at the YMCA in Reston. They met more than four years ago, and strength training became increasingly important as arthritis, joint issues and spinal surgeries limited some of Lane’s activities.

“Don’t let life, don’t let arthritis, don’t let age, don’t let injuries limit your success,” Gallelli said. “You can achieve huge things.”

Lane lifts weights three days a week and spends another three days on cardio, abdominal exercises and stretching.

Her competitive streak predates powerlifting. Lane said her husband, who ran for Georgetown University, once encouraged her to have fun during her first run. She was more interested in winning.

Powerlifting competitions divide athletes by age and weight, so Lane’s lifts are lighter than those attempted by women in other divisions. She prefers to call herself “mature” rather than aged and describes herself as a smaller person.

During training, Lane asks others not to tell her how much weight they are adding. She said that strategy helps her move past the mental barrier of knowing what she is about to lift.

“We try to bring forth the best of ourselves that we can be,” Lane said. “And this is what I’m trying to do now, to bring forth the best I can be at this.”

Outside the gym, Lane works with a nonprofit that brings together international thought leaders to discuss security and life safety. Gallelli said the confidence and focus developed through lifting can carry into other areas of life, including work.

Before heading to California, Lane is scheduled to compete Saturday morning at the YMCA Reston Powerlifting Meet. Participants will range from 14 to 83 years old, and donations will support the YMCA’s annual Send a Kid to Camp program.

“I always am nervous about meets of any sort,” Lane said. “So I won’t sleep most likely.”