Name:

Jennifer Sparks Berthelot

Occupation:

Lead Teacher – Online Learning and Technology Support and single mom of two fabulous kids

Coached By:

Sara Gross

Years In The Sport

Since 2005. I still feel like a newbie.

Sporting background: Swam competitively in my youth and then quit at about age 15. I never went in the pool again until 3 years ago. I started my “running career” with a Joints in Motion Marathon program (2003) and slowly became hooked! It really became about being around positive and happy people. I had never really been a cyclist and bought my first road bike three years ago after I went through a local Just Tri It program and decided I was going to do an Ironman. I did that Ironman and I am coming back for more!

Why I do triathlon: I love being active and this sport offers lots of variety. I have met some of the most amazing people through triathlon and I have travelled a bit as well. Everyone has their strengths in sport but triathlon makes obvious where you are your weakest. I love working on a weakness and watching it grown into a strength. There are always more weakness to work on! The challenges in this sport never end. No two races are the same. Nothing repeats itself.

Triathlon Accomplishments:

  • Every time I complete a race I feel like I have accomplished something, even if it didn’t workout the way I had planned. Each one teaches lessons.
  • Ironman 2008 - 13th in my AG to complete the swim (and passed by almost everyone on the bike – but I kept on smiling).

Triathlon Goals:

  • Ironman 2010 – Complete it healthy, happy and absolutely leave nothing out on the course race day – I will do my best with whatever situations arise.
  • This will be the year of PB’s!

Additional Comments: In previous years, I was a participant not a competitor. I never felt like I had the level of fitness required to be able to race and race strategically. It was about taking part and having fun. This year, it will be about taking part, having fun and pushing myself to new limits. Sara encourages us to dream big and dig deep and that is exactly what I will be doing this year.