Meet Jessica!
Jessica began training and racing for endurance events in 2010 and began her triathlon journey in 2014. Since then, she has completed close to thirty running and multi-sport events! Jessica just recently finished the Garden Spot Half-Marathon in March, her first live running event since a pre-Covid state.
Jessica has an exciting year mapped out ahead of her. She is doing her first half-Ironman event, Ironman Atlantic City 70.3. Then, very shortly afterwards will be headed out on a two-day adventure trek traveling 40-50 miles through Zion National Park! This is all done for a good cause as she has raised over $4,000 for Project Athena.
Participating in running and multi-sport events does not come close to describing Jessica’s active lifestyle. Once springtime hits, if she is not working or training, you will very likely find her out hiking the trails or riding her bike for leisure with a huge smile on her face. Jessica loves everything about exercise, the outdoors and an active lifestyle. She will be the last person to tell you she is an athlete, but that is exactly what she is.
Jessica has a remarkably busy life but manages to fit everything in with balance. On top of training, racing and exploring, she has a highly successful career and a wonderful mother who she now takes care of. Jessica has a beautiful daughter who graduates this year from college and she loves to travel and explore with her husband. They have been to 57 out of 62 of the National Parks.
We are absolutely THRILLED Jessica chose AME to share in her journey!
Q & A with Jessica:
What got you into triathlon and endurance events?
I joined a newly formed group called Fit to Lead (FTL) within the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association. This group combines the skills of being an effective leader to also being an effective athlete. The lessons are very similar. I am still a FTL member!
What is your favorite event and why?
My favorite event is the Philly Women’s Tri with DelMoSports. I have done it every year and I love seeing so many women athletes at one race. It leaves me inspired to do my best.
What about triathlon and endurance sport brings you the most joy?
I am so proud when I set an ambitious goal and I reach it – pretty basic!
What are you most excited about for your trek through Zion National Park?
As you mentioned, we have a family goal to get to all the National Parks and we are super close. We have been to Zion before but this experience will be totally different. I will be hiking with a group of Athenas & Zeuses that have had medical setbacks and are doing this 40 – 50ish hike as a demonstration of their strength. The hiking will be in the backcountry of Zion away from the crowds and the scenery will be amazing. Sunsets over red sandstone facades will be photo worthy. Also, once you are on the trail we are one team. There is no racing ahead. The team goal is to get everyone to the finish successfully and that might mean carrying a little bit more weight in your pack.
What is your favorite part of training?
My favorite part of training is following the plan and seeing greens in my Training Peaks for the week. Miles add up. When you get to the Start Line, all of the hard training work is done and now it is your time to shine. Another favorite quote is “Don’t be upset by the results you didn’t get with the work you didn’t do!”
What is one thing you want people to know about you?
When my daughter was growing up, she had this quote “if you do something new today, you get to live another day.” This sparked my love of diversity in training – biking, swimming, running, hiking, kayaking, skating, sledding … you get the point. It keeps me interested in being active and I enjoy trying something new. When was the last time you did something for the first time?