JENNIFER RISCHARD, W35-39

tucson, arizona

What is your favorite product available at TriSports.com?  I’ve become dependent on Clif Bloks and Power Gels for training and Endurox (tangy orange)  for recovery.  I also love training in my TYR microback swim suits (great for the small and chestless).  Oh-I LOVE my bike, QR Caliente!...how many things can I list?

How did you get your start in Triathlons?  My first was the Casa Grande Desert Classic sprint triathlon in 2002.  I did it at the urging of a friend and my husband.  Now I’m hooked!

What is your favorite workout?  I actually like my long brick training days (during Ironman training, 6-7 hour workouts), believe it or not.  I like planning where I’m going to ride/run, planning my nutrition for the workout the night before, eating a big dinner, going to bed early…it’s almost like preparing for race morning-without the anxiety and butterflies.

“When I’m not training/racing, I enjoy…”  Traveling with my family, cooking, camping, reading (throw in the beach, a hammock, and a margarita and I’m in heaven).

If you could train for a week with one other triathlete who would it be and why? My husband!!  It’s great foreplay…

If you could have one superhero power what would it be?  FLY!  It would take so much stress off my knees!

Describe your biggest race disaster.  Knock on wood, but I’ve never had a major crash or injury during a race.  Diarrhea…yes; IT band syndrome…yes; wind wobbles…yes.  Once at a bike race in Lake Tahoe, my husband put in my contact lenses early in the morning at the hotel by mistake.  I couldn’t see a thing through his lenses (thinking they were mine), and I couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t see straight.  I almost dropped out of the race, my eyesight was so bad.  Finally, just minutes before the race I asked him to try switching lenses with me, and lo and behold…I could SEE!!

Do you have a non-negotiable pre-race ritual?  It’s mostly bathroom-related, so we won’t get into that…But anything smothered in peanut butter and jelly usually gives me a solid start to my race.

What culinary indulgence do you allow yourself after a big race (that you don’t normally partake of)?  Easy…monstrous bacon bleu cheeseburger and a pile of salty fries!  Salt. Salt. Salt.

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.)  No, but my dog has chewed up every pair of sunglasses I’ve had.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had?  Making pizzas in college for a psychotic boss.

What adjective describes you best? Persistent

Finally, do you have any advice for athletes new to multi-sport competition?  Don’t get overwhelmed by the entirety of the race…break it down and exist in the moment.  When you’re getting in the water, only think about the swim-don’t worry about what’s next-relax and enjoy it.  Do the same for each transition and event…just take it piece by piece.

Recent Results: Saguaro Lake Road Triathlon, 1st W35-39 (2:49:18); Tempe Int’l Triathlon, 6th W35-39 (2:34:20); Deuces Wild Olympic, 3rd AG (2:38:31)