Cynthia O’ Halloran: Juggling Balls and Running Fast

Ontario-native Cynthia O’Halloran is 46, works full-time, has two small children and a husband that works most nights. And did I mention she is an amazing runner, too? She is the author of Balls in The Air, a blog which relays her experiences at juggling life’s many priorities.

Cynthia completed the Goodlife Marathon last year in Toronto; and despite the dreadful weather conditions, she qualified her for the Boston Marathon. Read more about her remarkable training and race experiences below. Congratulations and I looked forward to meeting you in the Bean Town this April!

When did you decided to run a marathon? Which marathon?

I’ve had this burning desire to return to the marathon scene about 4 years ago.  After child #2, I started running again and surprised myself at a few local races to see that my speed was about the same as it was 10 years earlier.  Like any junkie, I wanted more and more.  I was running and racing and comfortable with the half-marathon distance.   Two summers ago (2010), I decided that I needed to get that marathon bug out of my system and went for it.

What hiccups did you experience along the way?

Confidence.  I was running well and was exactly where I wanted to be until about 2 months before the Hamilton Road2Hope Marathon in November.   My family was busy, work was crazy and I was worried about having the time that I needed to commit to meet my goal.  I didn’t just want to run; I wanted to run well.

So, I bailed on Hamilton.  I wanted more time to experience the long runs.  I looked at the marathon schedule for spring and picked The Goodlife Marathon (Toronto, May 2011) because it was close to home and the timing was right.

Even then, I waivered off and on all through the spring.  In fact, I didn’t even register until 2 weeks before Marathon Sunday.  I had a good long run on that Saturday before, patted myself on the back and registered that afternoon.

What were your low points during training? What did it take to overcome them?

I thought I was being really careful to stay injury-free; I was stretching all of the time and having a monthly massage.  One Friday morning, though, I woke up with a really sore ankle and I was certain that it was from my ankle muscles being overworked the day before. Two days later, I joined my running mates (read male) on their long runs alone. My ankle was still tender but I went with them anyway and sucked it up. By Mile 17, my already tight ankle was hurting and, a mile later, I had to let them leave me.

That Monday, I started physiotherapy – 2x a week – to heal, not sure whether or not I’d be able to finish my training.  That was the lowest point.

During your training, did you have any special “tricks of the trade” that helped – including gadgets you used, journal you might have kept, meals/snacks that helped you on long runs?

I’m a bit of a purist when it comes to running – no Garmin, just an old, non GPS, Nike sports watch.  My mates carried Gatorade and I’d use that if I was with them; otherwise, I fueled with water only and stayed away from gels and supplements.

I did invest in an iPod shuffle – nothing fancy – in March and used that through the last month (perhaps just 2 or 3 long runs). When Marathon Day came, I ran without it for the first 23K and plugged myself in for the last 18K.  It was exactly what I needed.

How did you manage to juggle training with your work and family responsibilities?

I got everyone on board.  My sons, then 5 and 10, were involved in planning my runs so that they wouldn’t be upset when I went out on my own.  In warmer weather, my oldest always rode with me (he was a great camel during summer heat) and I had my youngest in a baby jogger during spring, summer and most of the fall.  Running was a part of our family life, so much so that there were many days that I didn’t feel like running and they’d take me out.

Wednesday night was (and still is) my run night with my running partner, Shawn.  He and I would do a tempo or intervals together.  This was a consistent part of my training and my boys never complained when I left with him and leave them behind. Having that accountability to someone else was great for me and it helped deal with the trials of leaving the family.

I was fortunate at work in that I had very supportive administration.  Twice a week, I’d run during lunch and get back with just enough time to stop sweating, wipe down (love Baby Wipes – if NASA can use them, so can I), and get back to business.  Running during daylight hours, away from family and “escaping” from work made a huge difference.

Tell us about race day. What was the experience like?

In mid-May, we sometimes have to worry about heat.  Not that Sunday.  It was a high of 6C, rainy and windy – absolutely miserable….

At the 6K mark, when I was already wet and cold, I revamped my goal: have fun. I decided to thank the volunteers, show appreciation for the spectators (and there weren’t a lot, due to the weather, so they really needed to be appreciated) and smile for the camera guys.

During the second half-marathon, it was much colder and windier, so I kept reminding myself that it was all about having fun. At about the 23K mark, I pulled over to the edge and pulled out my iPod, sensing that I was probably going to need a distraction soon. “Start listening early,” I told myself. “If you get into the music, you may not notice the rain.”

Well, I did notice the rain, and the wind, and every kilometre mark from there to the finish but the tunes did help keep me going. I hit 30K at 2:31 – still on pace – when The Boomtown Rats started I Don’t Like Mondays, my favorite song from high school. My pace picked up significantly and I heard Garmin Graham, my running buddy, pulling me back to my 5 minute kilometer pace, and he held me there for the next 12K. At 32K, Dr. Randy told me the race was just starting and, at 33K, my arms were starting to feel numb; the cold was starting to get to me.

When I next stopped for Gatorade, my forearms and fingers were tingling. “Keep running,” I said, “so that you’ll generate more heat.” By the time I got to University Avenue, 4K from the finish, I couldn’t feel my forearms; I could barely hold onto a water cup.”

To make things worse, the last 4K were uphill – not greatly so, but uphill enough to be intimidating. Then, at 40K, it happened: I stopped and walked – not while drinking to make sure that Gatorade went into me instead of on me – but walked for the sake of walking. But my tunes continued to play, I was urged on by a stranger and I caught a glimpse of Queen’s Park – the sign that the end was near. To Garmin Graham’s dismay, I picked up my pace and propelled myself towards the finish line.

I crossed the finish line at 3:35:40, almost 25 minutes better than my BQ time.

What did you learn about yourself through this marathon experience?

The Goodlife Marathon represented the changes that I’ve gone through as an individual in the past year. I’ve learned to make time for myself, which also means that I’ve learned to ask for help and to accept offers of help from friends. I’ve learned to accept that things may not go according to plan but staying focused will keep my goals in sight. And I learned that by digging deep, I had the courage that I needed to keep going with my training when, most simply put, life just got in the way.
The marathon is not just a 42.2k race. It is the reward of months of hard work and determination; it is the fun that puts things back in perspective and gives us balance.

Have your running habits rubbed off on your little ones?

Both of my sons are very supportive of my running.  This coming summer is going to be a challenge as my youngest can now ride on two wheels and has gone as far as 5 miles when I run.  Those are 5 slow, frustrating miles for me.  I really hope that he can pick up the pace this summer and let me chase him; it’s a great speed session for me and fun for both of us.  My goal is have him riding 8 miles at a good pace for me by the end of summer 2012; he’s the kind of kid who will probably be able to do it.

http://www.cynsspace.blogspot.com/2011/05/goodlife-marathon-race-report-part-1.html

http://www.cynsspace.blogspot.com/2011/05/goodlife-marathon-race-report-part-2.html

http://www.cynsspace.blogspot.com/2011/05/goodlife-marathon-race-report-part-3.html

Related articles

• Moral Support for a Marathon (heavymedal.wordpress.com)
• My Spring Half Marathon Training Plan (carlybananas.com)
• Chasing Pavement (newlyeverything.com)

The Great Yurt Adventure

What is a yurt? That’s the same question I asked myself last summer when friends invited us along for a weekend snow camping trip. (I said yes without knowing).

By definition, a yurt is a tent like dwelling of the Mongol and Turkic peoples of central Asia, consisting of cylindrical poles in a lattice arrangement with a conical roof of poles, both covered by felt or skins.

There are six yurts north of Boise near Idaho City, accessible via a 2-3 mile trek by ski or snowshoe in the winter. Reservations must be made 9 months in advance or the yurts will “sell out” (still haven’t figured out that one). Our Rocky Ridge yurt is pictured below. Just imagine how it might look with four feet of snow covering it, including the front door.

This trip taught me a lot of valuable lessons about myself and the power of Mother Nature. Rather than regurgitating the details of our snow camping adventure, I thought I’d share some of these lessons I learned.

Lesson Learned: If you are not an experienced back country camper, rely heavily on those who are. And don’t forget to tell them you’re a novice before you pack your bags. After all, you might learn a thing or two before you go, such as lining a backpack with a large plastic grocery bag.

Old Melinda: Just because you grew up in West Tennessee where there was no snow, let alone snow camping, is no reason to hold back. You’ll figure it out. How hard can it be? Snow shoeing is a blast and snow is beautiful, despite the fact that if melted, it turns to water, which seeps into backpacks and gets everything wet. Including your sleeping bag, clothes and food. Minor detail when it’s 30 degrees outside. Who needs dry things anyway?

Lesson Learned: If a major storm passes through the area a few days before your yurt trip, reconsider going at all. Or at the very least, proceed with caution.

Old Melinda: Pray for snow. After all, a few extra feet might mean more fun at the destination. Never mind that the parking lot at the trail head might not be plowed and there would be no place to park, meaning that people paid to check out your yurt beforehand couldn’t even make it there.

Lesson Learned: If at first you don’t succeed, abandon ship. Especially if you can only track through 50 feet of snow in 30 minutes, you’ve got 1.7 miles to go, and it’s only 1 ½ hours before darkness sets in. Two children who are 8 years old are accompanying you. As well as two dogs who are growling at one another. And it’s snowing. Hard.

Old Melinda: I’m young (relatively speaking), invincible, and nothing can stop me. And who needs ski poles when there’s four feet of fresh snow, which has to be tracked, and there’s a 40 pound pack on your back? I can run marathons, so blazing trails should be no problem. All while watching the kids and keeping Walden under control.

(P.S. At least, when my experienced camper friend recommended turning back, I had enough sense to heed her wonderful advice, not easy for Miss-Never-Give-Up).

Lesson Learned: Try again the next day if you must. But also consider waiting until next year.

Old Melinda: By all means, drive home and give it another shot in 17 hours. With an early morning start, you’ll have the whole day ahead of you (assuming the parking lot has been plowed). We’ll be there by lunchtime and have an entire afternoon to soak in the beauty of the outdoors.

And if you’re really lucky, much of that four feet of snow will have least mysteriously packed down overnight, making the trek quick and easy.

(P.S. No such luck. The three mile trek took us six long hours.)

Lesson Learned: Adhere to proper gear, regardless of cost.

Old Melinda: UGG boots will be fine in the snow, especially if you’re child likes them and finds them pleasurable to wear around the house and out to movies with a pair of shorts on. Trust the man at the shoe shop who told you water proof spray will solve all your waterproofing needs. After all, when has a salesperson been wrong?

Lesson Learned: Stay calm under duress. Even if your child is crying for hours on end without even a moment of coming up for air.

Old Melinda: When your child cries because his feet are frozen and he can’t walk any further, panic. Let your husband put the proper clothes on your child as you volunteer to blaze the snowy trail. And above all else, pray with Rob: “For the love of God, will you please stop crying?”

(P.S. I tried potty talk, making up Super Lukeo stories, and singing Carpenters songs, but nothing calmed him down. Many thanks to Marlee for trying to sooth her friend with “Go Tar Heel chants,” which likely sounded like scratches on a chalkboard to her mother’s ears).

Lesson Learned: When it the middle of crisis, make a decision and stick with it.

Old Melinda: Actually, that was my direction at the mid-way point to the yurt when we were trying to get Luke to dry clothes and warmth as quickly as possible. Maybe my bossiness, as it’s often labeled, came in handy at this moment.

(P.S. It was even my idea to abandon food, pull Luke on the sled and let the boys blaze the trail to expedite the journey. Many thanks to the boys and their hard work, especially shoveling out the yurt so we could actually get in when we got there!)

Lesson Learned: Put entertainment on the back burner when vacationing with Mother Nature.

Old Melinda: Above all else, make sure you have enough beer and wine to drink, regardless of the extra weight you might have to carry. And even though you might forget basic necessities like proper hiking boots for your child, don’t forget the stereo speaker for the iPOD.

(P.S. These items were the only things that calmed my nerves after we reached our destination, however.)

Lesson Learned: Bring ear plugs or take a sleeping pill. Especially if you are a light sleeper and/or have to walk 50 yards in the snow to go the bathroom (three times during the night, no less).

Old Melinda: Just pee outside the door to keep it simpler. No one will even notice, unless it happens to be the snow you scoop to make water.

(P.S. I walked to the outhouse, I promise, even if I did fall in the snow every time. With Walden faithfully by my side every step of the way, I was in no danger.)

Lesson Learned: Say thanks for a warm bed and a toilet seat five feet away at night.

Old Melinda: Ditto. But with more meaning when I got back home.

Lesson Learned: Say thanks for good friends who are kind, level-headed and far more organized than you. And our wonderful children who find joy in life so effortlessly.

Old Melinda: Ditto. But with more meaning after the yurt trip.

Photo courtesy of Idaho Parks and Recreation.

Related articles

• Happy New Yurt! (wired.com)
• 5 Yurt Escapes (apartmenttherapy.com)

The Secrets to a High Energy Day

I’m looking forward to the AFC and NFC championships this weekend. And though Tar Heel Hakeem Nicks is one man I’m excited about, I’m also cheering for Ray Lewis, especially after reading a recent article in USA Today entitled, “Hungry for Another Title, Ravens’ Lewis Watches Diet.”

This article disclosed a few things Lewis consumes before noon, including a protein shake, egg whites, an apple, two gallons of water and a bag of “A.M.” supplements. He eats only fish and vegetables, hasn’t eaten pork in 12 years and has eaten beef twice during the same time span. He doesn’t drink soda or eat bread or sugar — except for small exceptions, according to the article. No cheeseburgers or chips, he professes to treat his body like a temple. And why? So he has the necessary fuel to outlast men who are younger and faster than he.

And though my hunger for competition is pretty much relegated to finishing another Boston marathon without getting injured, I have witnessed this effect of fueling up to feel good, for running and living. In my heftier post-college days, I worked out regularly but ate poorly (not to mention all the beer I drank). No matter how much sleep I got at night, I rarely had enough energy to avoid the afternoon sleepies deluging my day.

Twenty five years later, I’m convinced I have enough energy to keep up with someone half my age. Unless, of course, I was afflicted the prior night by loud snores, dog bathroom breaks, night sweats and Luke visits, which sadly happens more than I would like to admit.

Whether you’re eating to fuel a good workout or to keep your head up at your desk, keeping blood glucose levels close to normal are helpful. Here are a few tricks to keep your energy level up, all day long.

Eat a balanced diet. If you eat crap, you’ll feel that way – all day. More balance means more macronutrients to break down and give you long-lasting energy. The USDA provides an interactive calculation to determine your needs, but a loose guideline is:

• 45% to 65% of calories eaten should come from carbohydrates
• 20% to 35% of calories eaten should come from fat
• 10% to 35% of calories eaten should come from protein

Don’t skip meals. There is nothing worse than having no fuel to sustain your energy level throughout the day. Skipping meals throws off your metabolism and is simply not good for you. And for all of you who say, “Breakfast only makes me hungrier,” my recommendation is to eat it anyway. In the long run, you’ll feel better!

Don’t over-caffeinate. There’s nothing wrong with a cup of coffee to get you moving in the morning, but drinking too much causes energy surges and lulls. Avoid the addiction and drink lots of water instead!

Avoid an all-carb diet. This predicament is particularly problematic in the morning, because many breakfast foods are high in carbohydrates, e.g., cereal, oatmeal. Muffins, scones and sweet rolls are even worse offenders because they contain lots of sugar. Many of these foods have a high glycemic index, meaning they cause an immediate spike in blood glucose levels. You’ll feel satisfied for an hour or so, then tired and hungry soon afterwards (and maybe irritable, too).

Think protein! Add some protein, and healthy fats, to the carboyhydate mix – or as I like to say, food that “sticks” to the bones.  Protein takes longer to digest and has a lower glycemic index, thus supplying a steadier stream of energy. In the morning, add some peanut butter to your toast or walnuts to your oatmeal. Drink protein shakes for snacks. Beans and many vegetables high in protein are good additions to your lunch.

Don’t over-indulge at lunch. Too much of a good thing leads to a bad thing – the afternoon sleepies. Not only does quality of food affect your blood glucose level, but so does quantity. Play it safe on both fronts.

Watch the sugar. Though many complex carbohydrates (e.g., a baked potato) have a high glycemic index, soda, candy and cookies are more obvious culprits. They may taste good going down and give you a quick energy burst. But just wait! The energy lull is soon to follow.

Eat dinner earlier. Not only will this give you more time to digest what you ate, but you’ll sleep better, too. The last thing you want is an energy buzz – right before bedtime!

Related articles:

• Carbs and the Glycemic Index. (barbsfitublog.wordpress.com)
• Diabetic Diets : Foods That Fight Diabetes (blissreturned.wordpress.com)
• Why are high glycemic foods bad for me? (zocdoc.com)
• Glycemic Index (sweatpantsandeggplants.wordpress.com)
• Do you cook one-pot meals by the food’s Glycemic Index number or its ORAC value? (examiner.com)

Image via Wikipedia.

Healthy Meals (I Can’t Believe) My 8-Year-Old Likes

My little 8-year-old is an adventurous eater. Though I am very proud of his diverse palate, I also credit myself a bit for his adventuresome appetite. I experiment with an array of flavors and tastes when I cook, and I give him few options but to eat what I prepare. (The only real adjustment I make on his behalf is to tame the heat of any dishes that suggest hot peppers, powders, flakes or pastes).

I have said it before and will repeat myself again:

Don’t prepare second meals for your children.

Not only is it less stress for the chef, but there’s a good chance your children will eat healthier, more balanced meals if they are eating the same thing the adults are eating. And don’t give up if they don’t like the dish the first time around. As Dani Spies suggested in a post called “Please the Palates of Those You Love,” it it can take up to 11 attempts to acquire a taste for a new dish.

With a little discipline (and the occasional dessert bribe), you’re children will soon be eating whatever you place before them. More importantly, they’ll like it, too! Here are a few dishes that surprised even me.

Hoppin’ John – I prepared this dish on New Year’s Day so we’d all get our healthy dose of black-eyed peas for good luck. I really wasn’t sure if peas and rice would please Luke, but he fell in love at first bite. My slow-eating son had finished his helping before I, immediately exclaiming, “Mom, when can we have this again?” (How ‘bout leftovers tomorrow for lunch?)

Veggie Burgers – I have experimented with lots of different recipes, but these jiffy spelt veggie burgers from Oh She Glows were his favorite. Adding a new, healthier twist to a favorite kid dish is a good way to experiment with something new. His verdict: “Oh Mom, I just loved the meat.” (Note: I serve my veggie burgers on regular buns to give the illusion that it’s a “real” burger!)

Chicken Lettuce Cups – Like a lot of children, Luke likes tacos, and we frequently make them with turkey meat instead of beef. However, I made these chicken lettuce cups and he loved them as soon as I said we were having “lettuce tacos” for dinner. I had my doubts during preparation, as the ingredient list includes onions, artichoke hearts and olives, but it’s a home run every time I make them. Next on the agenda is other types of Asian lettuce cups.

Pesto Pizza – Like every child in America, Luke will not turn down a slice of good ‘ole cheese pizza with red sauce. But when we make pizza at home, we generally use pesto and add ingredients like chicken, capers, caramelized onions, fresh mozzarella, and mushrooms. And just the other night Luke asked, “Mom, what’s that green stuff you put on pizzas? That’s my favorite kind of pizza now!”

Soups – I have been experimenting with a variety of homemade soups in the last year, and there are very few that Luke isn’t happy to eat. Many are vegetarian, such as asparagus, spinach and leek soup from how2heroes and chickpea, leek and parmesan soup from Jamie Oliver’s The Naked Chef. He also likes this yummy Thai coconut chicken soup from Cooking Light (again, I reduced the heat). But his very favorite is tomato soup with a side of cheese toast for dippin’!

Black bean burritos – This is a quick and easy dinner or lunchtime selection, and one that Luke willingly eats. I generally heat up the beans and flavor with cumin, fresh garlic and lime. Then I add cheese and avocado when I serve the burrito. This is a great meal for him to get protein and vitamins – in one quick fix.

Vegetarian Enchiladas – Though I use this tofu enchilada recipe from Happy, Healthy Life as a base, I generally add whatever vegetables I have on hand (also rarely roast the poblano pepper because it takes too long!). The critical ingredient is tofu – which is delicious when prepared with Mexican spices, lime and agave syrup. This one takes a while to prepare because of all the chopping, but is a terrific way to ensure the little ones (and big ones) get their veggies for the day!

Want to share any healthy meals your children like to eat?

Photos courtesy of Oh She Glows, Cooking Light and Happy, Healthy Life.

Local Hero Jenny Tobin Wins Again

Boise native Jenny Tobin just added another trophy to her mantle – and $10,000 check to her bank account. This time, she won the world championship Spartan Race, an international racing series in which participants run, jump over 8’ walls, crawl under barbed wire fences and leap over fire, just to name a few of the obstacles. To catch a glimpse of Jenny’s triumphant Spartan performance, click here .

I recently caught up with Jenny to find out more about her many athletic feats, starting with her first, almost 40 years ago.

We’ve only just begun

Jenny’s athletic career started at a young age — 3 ½ years old, to be exact. She lived in California at the time, and was one of only kids her age who could make it across the pool in one lane. Did this foreshadow her future as a professional triathlete?

At first, it didn’t look that way. She played soccer in her early years, and excelled to a level of playing year-round on a travelling team.

When she moved to Idaho in junior high, however, she was forced to explore other sports. At the time, there was no soccer team in Kuna or Meridian. And though she swam for a year in high school, she pursued volleyball, basketball and track instead – all of which she either started or starred. In fact, she went on to run cross country and track in college, and played a year of basketball as well.

Despite this early success, Jenny’s parents never pushed her to do any athletics – they only supported her in her choices. She also admits with pride, “My dad was my biggest fan growing up.”

Time to tri

After college, she qualified to run in the Olympic Marathon trials, running a personal best of 2:48. It was around this time that she got serious about triathlons, too. She spent two years – from 1995-1997 – trying to make a living solely from race winnings and endorsements (as an amateur triathlete and pro duathlete). Later, from 1998-2008, Jenny was a professional triathlete. Also during this time, she taught Physical Education in the Boise School District. As Jenny shares, “I never made a living solely from racing, as this is difficult to do. My earnings were supplemental and really only paid for my triathlon addiction.”

During this 15+ year racing career, she participated in a variety of races around the country, including Ironmans (full and half), XTERRRAs, Olympic length triathlons, adventure races and marathons. A self-motivated individual, Jenny describes her desire to compete, “I think I’m a persistent little bugger! When I feel good in a race, I’m happy and fast – fortunately, this attitude can win races.”

Her career highlights include two-time Top 5 XTERRA Winter World Champs, Ironman Utah Champion, Powerman Colorado Champion, Bogus Hill Climb Champion, and three-time Top 5 at XTERRA World Championships.  Jenny even married a world-renowned endurance athlete, Michael Tobin.

A “minor” setback

A typical summer schedule might have included an Ironman one weekend, a woman’s challenge the next. Following these, she might serve as crew for one of Michael’s races. After spending 19 hours in a car, she might then participate in an XTERRA tri. In fact, this was her exact schedule when a swollen calf slowed her down.

What could have been a big scare in 2002 turned into a minor setback for Jenny, thanks to her podiatrist friend who knew that a swollen calf wasn’t to be taken lightly. Jenny was diagnosed with two DVTs (deep vein thrombosis) and eight PEs (pulmonary emboli). She has a blood clotting disorder called Factor 5 Leiden. According to Jenny, “I spent a week in the hospital trying to un-clot my system so I could try to live a normal life.  I was told by a number of doctors to take Coumadin, an anti-coagulant, for the rest of my life but opted not to do so. Now, I have to be careful about certain things that I do.”

One of these cautionary measures is wearing compression socks to workout and work. Also, Jenny isn’t supposed to sit for long periods of time — which usually isn’t a problem except when she travels. She has to be very careful to avoid dehydration and shouldn’t participate in races that might preempt this condition (although she admits to a few events in which she competed that might not be doctor approved!).

And then there were two (more)

Despite her bout with blood clots, Jenny claims that children, along with entering her forties, have slowed her down more than other life challenges. Rather than spending her weekends travelling around the country, she elects to enjoy the time with her 4 and 7-year olds instead.

She has recently taken up the sport of tennis for fun, and was rewarded for her efforts by being bumped to USTA level 4.0. Apparently, it’s hard to defeat an endurance athlete!

Par for the course

When she was racing more competitively, most of her training consisted of “double days.” Today, she only does them occasionally. However, she also admits that tennis “doesn’t count” and she rarely takes a day off.

A typical week looks like:

• Bike trainer, 3 days/week, 40-60 minutes/each
• Running, 4-5 days/week
  • 1 long run on the weekends, 1 ½ hours
  • Rest of the runs, about 45 minutes, ranging in pace depending on if she is running hills or doing intervals
  • Swim, 1 day/week,  1500 meters

Small in stature, Jenny is naturally muscular, a build conducive to her active lifestyle! She also lifts weights occasionally, though used to be more systematic about it before kids. She also teaches PE, and will often join the kids on sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups, all of which came in handy when training for the Spartan race.

Eat it up

When training and racing, Jenny eats a fairly “normal” diet. Since her spouse doesn’t eat red meat or pork, she rarely does either. Most of their at-home meals are one-dish in style, consisting of chicken, fish, vegetables and grains (e.g., rice, pasta). In the summer, they do a lot of grilling.

She does not live by carbs alone, and likes to include a healthy dose of proteins in the mix.

Next on the horizon

Jenny is not sure what the future holds. Last summer, tennis tournaments conflicted with her triathlon schedule; but she hopes to participate in one or two this year. When asked if more Spartan races might be in the mix, she hesitated. “I injured my back and arm in the recent race, and I’m not sure I want to take the chance of being sidelined.”

Her favorite thing

Given a repertoire of talent, I asked Jenny about her favorite event. After stopping to think for a moment, she responded: “Probably not adventure races, unless I’m on a winning team! But my favorite? I’d probably say XTERRA races. These races are only 3-4 hours in duration and they don’t wipe you out afterwards. Longer races like the Ironman tend to set me back a couple of weeks. Not to mention, I love being outside running on trails.”

Whether she’s running the trails in Boise, Idaho, swimming laps in the pool with her daughter, or serving up another ace on the tennis courts, something tells me that Jenny will be doing it well for many days to come.

And I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her children.

Thanks to Jenny for taking a time out to share her story. Hopefully, I’ll see her out on the trails (though she’ll likely be passing me!).

Photo courtesy of XTERRA Planet.