Photo by Larry Rosa
It’s another installment of the Wattie Ink. “Snizzle” – Today we’re catching up with “uber-biker” Heather Jackson and getting her take as we head into 70.3 World Championship week.
With two years as a professional under her belt and only four years in the sport, Jackson is still a relative newcomer but has already turned heads. With Vegas just a week and a half away, we sat down for a little chat.
W: So, this has been your second full season as a professional….you had a 5th place last November at your first 70.3 World Championships and then you had a breakthrough race in April at the Oceanside 70.3 with a 2nd place to World Champion Mirinda Carfrae…recently you just had another 2nd place at the Steelhead 70.3 event. What are your goals and expectations for the 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas this year?
HJ: Tough one right out of the blocks!!!! Well, my goal is obviously to win the race…haha! Is my expectation to win it though- definitely, definitely not. I would have to have every single thing go right on my side and lots of things go wrong for everyone else. For instance, maybe every single other pro females’ swim goggles fly off or get fogged up and they all swim off course except for me! hahaha. Let’s be realistic here….realistically, I just want to put everything together like I know I can. I want to cross the finish-line knowing I left everything on the course and didn’t make any of the mistakes I’ve made in the past- “Oh, I should have drank more…” Or, “Oh, I didn’t eat enough on the bike…” No excuses. I’ve prepped all season for this so I just want everything to come together for me, knowing myself and my capabilities from my training, and I’ll be happy with that, no matter where that lands me in the race results.
W: So you are known as an “uber-biker” on the triathlon scene. You did a recon trip with the Trek/K-Swiss team earlier this season to ride and view the course. Based on that, do you feel the course suits your strengths as a cyclist?
HJ: I think this course definitely suits me as a cyclist. It’s constantly rolling with some good longer sustained climbing efforts that I’m hoping will play to the advantage of my leg strength but will tire out the runners’ legs. But, you’re also going to have the heat and the wind wearing you down and draining you over the 56 miles. So, it becomes more than just leg strength and power out there for the stronger cyclists, but also a big day of mental strength to stay focused and on top of your nutrition, hydration, and pacing.
W: On that same course topic- your running has improved significantly….do you feel the Vegas course suits your running style?
HJ: Yeah, I think the run course is good for me, as it’s 3 loops of running up and then down a hill. I mean, it’s definitely better for me to go up against the best runners out there on a hillier course rather than a strictly flat and fast one that they can just get into their running mentality and breeze through. When you have hills, the mental side comes into play more than a flat course. Every single person has to focus on the pain and the hurt getting up that hill, even if you’re a good runner. I don’t necessarily have the speed of the top runners in the sport, but I’m pretty strong mentally, so I’ll take the hilly run.
Photo By Wattie Ink.
W: Back to the bike….I’ve asked this question to all the athletes and I’m going to ask you the same: any significant equipment changes to your bike that you feel will have a significant impact on your performance?
HJ: Are you really asking me that? Did you think that would be a funny question to ask? haha!
W: HA HA!
HJ: Not a single change to the bike except for one thing- I’ve had the amazing help and support of Speedfil Hydration Systems. They have been working on the new A2 bottle system forever and it’s finally out and is amazing. The front end of my Trek is so low that it’s impossible for me to get a front drink system in the aero-bars without it rubbing my front tire. I also can’t do the bottle laying on my aerobars, as my bars are a bit tilted down and I grab and pull up on the bars the whole race, so I can’t have anything there in my way. We met with David of Speedfil numerous mornings, including one that he personally came to our condo at about 6am to get the bottle attachment figured out. FINALLY we got it in a great position where it’s out of the way but just a straw in my face saying to me constantly: “DRINK! NOW! Drink some more!” haha. I definitely will need that in Vegas to stay hydrated. A HUGE thanks to Speedfil for that.
W: You’ve traditionally faired or performed poorly in the heat. Vegas is obviously hot. What are the adjustments you’ve made to prepare yourself for this?
HJ: Way to rub it in. haha just kidding! Yeah, I’ve definitely struggled in the heat before but I also didn’t necessarily know that it affected me so adversely before. Basically, I sweat a lot, just like my Dad:) But now I’m very aware of it to the point that I will be focused on hydration and nutrition as much as I am on any part of the racing.
W: Let’s talk the swim….you’ve struggled with your swim but have been showing some improvements. Vegas is a non-wetsuit swim, which doesn’t help, LOL. How do you think you’ll fair in Vegas? And given a good or bad swim, how will that effect your race strategy?
HJ: I’m not a good swimmer? haha! Well, actually, I’m quite excited about the swim in Vegas. Not so much for the swim itself, but just to see where I’m at. The swim is going to be a continuing area of work for me for my entire triathlon career but I’ve seen huge improvements over the past 8 weeks, so it should be better than it has been, and that’s all I can hope for. I know for sure that I haven’t gotten WORSE, haha. Not sure how I’ll fair exactly, but I really think I can get out with a group. However, this could slow my transition time down as my bike won’t be the only one left there so I could get lost hunting for it….haha. Are you still talking about making transition balloons? The swim result won’t change the rest of my pacing and race strategy….
Photo By Wattie Ink.
W: Obviously there is a World-Class field assembled for this event. Given the competition, not to put you on the spot, you are a stat girl and watch people closely, so we are just interested in your thoughts on how you think the race will go down given peoples’ performances to date.
HJ: Rightttt….how much do you feel like writing down? I have so many different thoughts and scenarios running through my head for so many different competitors. It is such a deep field that seriously the top 15 girls could be anyone and in any given order depending on race day. Sorry, that’s a boring one….
W: So we are 11 days out…how has your training been leading up to now? Have you been doing anything specifically based on your knowledge of the course?
HJ: My training has been the best it’s ever been over the four years I’ve done triathlon. We started working with PJ, which has been great, obviously, to take the pressure off us and to have the knowledge and experience that he brings from all his years bike racing as well as helping Michellie. So there’s been no stress there. I wake up, you tell me what I have to do for the day as prescribed by PJ, and I do it. Done. Then I lay on the comfy couch you bought us and eat the nutritious meals you cook us! Thank you Wattie:) I’ve never been this consistent in my life- just day in and day out of swimming, biking and running. I’ve had no injuries or illnesses since figuring out the slight toe “niggle” I had right after Boise in June. Basically, the training has been amazing and I’ve never felt more ready and excited to race ever. As for the course, we’ve definitely been riding and running hills, hills, hills.
W: I know your parents are triathletes themselves and have competed in and completed numerous races….your Mom even competed in Clearwater last year. They are coming out to Vegas- are you excited to have your family there for the event?
HJ: I am so excited to see them! I haven’t seen them since June and they are my biggest supporters (and you, of course). My parents have given me everything, including the right genes for this, haha, and everything I’ve been able to do or accomplish in my life is because of them. The values they instilled, the opportunities they made possible for me…I will see them before the race, but I just know it will mean that much more when I cross the line, having done well or not, to have them there. The same goes for my little sister Biffy who is coming too!
W: Switching gears a bit….post-Vegas, what are your plans? Do you have any additional races that you’re planning to do?
HJ: Well, I’m pretty sure I’ll go to the Augusta 70.3 and then possibly Austin or Miami, although not sure on those. Let’s be honest, this is my ‘job’ and so it’d be nice to try and earn a bit more to try and make it through the off-season without having to rely on my Sugar Daddy. No, not you, this other guy you’ve never met:) Just kidding Wattie! I would also like to go back to Austin just because I love that race, and all our friends there, and just the city itself, but we’ll see. I’m going over to Kona to spectate and cheer on everyone and that week is so tiring and draining, even if you’re not racing, as I found last year, that it might be time to just call it a season.
W: Now, for the off-season. After your last race, what’s the first thing you want to do, or what are you truly looking forward to?
HJ: VG’s Donuts after a night at Wine Steals? haha! Every night I go to bed dreaming of a buttermilk stick from VG’s….just kidding! I can’t wait to go snowboarding at Mammoth! I love it up there…just relaxing and boarding all day. I want to spend a few days just lying on the beach in Oceanside. I want to get home to NH for a few weeks to spend some time with my Grampa Daida. I would love to get up to Bend, OR for a few days to visit my brother who is a new head brewer at a brewery up there, as well as visit friends that just moved there. That’s kind of the bucket list. Oh- also I kind of want to try out a few Cross races…maybe a mountain biking trip to the Grand Canyon?
Photo By Wattie Ink.
W: Last question….being a new professional and fairly new to the sport in general, are there any words of wisdom or inspiration that you can give to those young and aspiring age groupers who have dreams of being a professional? I mean, how’s it been for you? Are there any take-homes for those age-groupers who are right there thinking of taking the step to racing as a pro?
HJ: Hmmm, that’s a tough one! I guess the biggest advice is just to have fun with everything. The very fact that you’re physically able to do the sport is more than some people. So have fun with it, and just be consistent. That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned even in just the past 10 weeks- consistency. Seek out guidance and help from those more experienced for training approaches. Find a team around you that support you and believe in you. I’ll let you know if I think of more….
W: I gave you a 454 Tattoo gift certificate over the holidays but you have yet to use it….do you plan on using it anytime soon or can i have it back, as I’m always up for a new one if you don’t have any ideas for your next one… LOL!
HJ: No way! You’re not getting it back! I have been so diligent with my swimming that I couldn’t take a week off not to get in the water! You know that! hahaha. I have a few ideas for the off-season….I’m thinking an inner arm one or one down my side….or maybe the back of my neck. I don’t know yet!
For more information on Heather Jackson visit: http://wattieink.com/heather-jackson/ or www.heatherjacksonracing.com
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