Jacqueline “Jax” Mariash W25-29

superior, colorado

What is your favorite product available at TriSports.com? Accessories. I love new all of the new fun gadgets we can use to get faster. I also like fun swim caps and being cute while training.

How did you get your start in Triathlons? I told myself that I wanted to race in a triathlon at somepoint when I was 18. I was a bit burnt out from running from 5years old to 18 and decided to turn down a running spot at ASU to pursue Triathlon. I jumped in the pool in June and taught myself how to swim competativly and raced in Mountain Man Tri a month later where I placed 7th overall. I won Nationals 2 months later for my age group and at this point was hooked.

 What is your favorite workout? 2 hour long easy runs or 3 hour long easy rides. I love escaping mentally and diving in to the scenery with great friends or alone and enjoying the moment.

“When I’m not training/racing, I enjoy…” watching movies and TV shows with my boyfriend or visiting my friends for dinner, or coffee.

If you could train for a week with one other triathlete who would it be and why? Jenni Keil. She has become one of my closest friends over the past year. She knows my in's and out's and would be there for me through anything and I would do the same for her. We trust eachother and respect eachother in our training and it makes a strong friendship and support system in a sport that tests all of your limits.

 If you could have one superhero power what would it be? Wonder Woman. She is my true hero. We go way way back in my athletic career. She is a part of every race I do.

 Describe your biggest race disaster. HMMMM…well there are two. One I will sum up by just saying it was not pretty in any sense of the word and my body decided to The other was SOMA half ironman. The bike course was down right gnarly and there was an extreme potential to draft. Some took that as an opportunity to bike race and next thing I knew I was pushed over and smashed in to a road sign as a couple guys were in a bike sprint that pushed by. It was a race where you fought your inner daemons and got up with huge bruises and blood everywhere and fought through a third loop on the bike and 13.1 miles of running and still walked home with 9th amateur and 3rd in my age. It is a day I will never forget because it became a day to test my courage and willingness to dig deep within myself and find my inner chi.

Do you have a non-negotiable pre-race ritual? Most definitely. Every race I bring my ipod and unlike most individuals I actually play meditation music as I set up and during my warm up runs. This keeps my nerves out of the picture until I hit the starting line. I always end my warm up with 10 min prior to start time. I find a spot that is right by the race start but far enough away that I feel alone and I meditate for 3 minutes and then I get to the line.

What culinary indulgence do you allow yourself after a big race (that you don’t normally partake of)? Burgers, fries or Pizza. And a tall glass of beer from Gordon Biersch. Have to admit, this indulgence occurs after long training days as well.

Have you ever accidentally destroyed a very expensive piece of gear? (For example, have you driven into the garage with a bike on the roof, run over race wheels, etc.) Yes, although it wasn’t really my gear. OOPS! I was at the Fashion Square mall working at Starbucks and my ex boyfriend rode over to visit and I drove him home. Low and behold there was a beam above as you exited the parking lot that I didn’t see and it smashed the bike and cracked the frame and it was toast.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had? Working at TCBY. I gained weight! haha

What adjective describes you best? Instead of an adjective I am using one of my nick names. POM POM. I inherited this at work because I became the girl that was always pumping the team back up under immense stress. I noticed that in life I always tell people to look positive and take a positive approach and is my own motto in life. If you think positive and focus on positive things happening, the universe must support it.

 Finally, do you have any advice for athletes new to multi-sport competition? HAVE FUN! Too many people come in putting immense goals and stress on themselves. This is the coolest sport and race ever and it should be a blast every day you train and race. Last but not least, smile when you race or do hard workouts. Your subconscious can’t help but react in a positive manner and aid you through the hard work.

Recent Results: Desert Classic Duathlon, 1st AG, 3rd OA;  Chilly Cheeks Duathlon Series Champion;  Barkin’ Dog Duathlon, 3rd Pro, 4th OA;  Short Course Duathlon Nationals, 1st AG, 5th OA; Long Course Duathlon Nationals, 1st AG; Big Sky Duathlon, 3rd Elite Division;  Buffalo Springs 70.3, 2nd AG, 9th OA in Open Division; Boulder Peak Triathlon, 2nd AG, 6th OA; ITU LD Duathlon World Championships, 3rd AG, 4th OA (first American female); Boulder Tri Babes, 1st OA; Texas Longhorn Ironman 70.3, 1st AG, 5th OA.

http://jaxmariash.blogspot.com