2020 Member Spotlight – Jen Green

After I lost about 70 of 100lbs, I met a fellow DC Tri Club member, Jeff Halper, at a neighborhood back to school party. He had written a race report about the Philly Tri and I was just so curious about it. He happened to be just as curious about running a marathon which I was training for. We talked and shared our experience both vowing never to do the other. Just so happened that at the Philly Tri that year, someone had died. It totally freaked me out!

After my marathon, Halper checked back in to see how I did and offered any help if I did decide to do a triathlon. A few months later, I decided to get a bike, and Halper guided me through the process and got me set up with some local rides. The rest is history!

What was your first triathlon?

The first triathlon I did was the Sprint at Rumpus in Bumpass in 2011. The water was so cold! I wanted to quit at 200m in as no one told me about the freak out. I knew Halper would make fun of me if I didn’t finish, so I did a lot of breast strokes. The bike course was pretty uneventful and I was so thankful to get to the run, my comfort zone! I finished with a smile. With my swim time over :30, I was mortified and determined to do more.

Any memorable races or experience?

My most memorable race/experience was training for and competing in IM Lake Placid in 2013. The MoCo Mafia had a huge crew and we all we attempting this feat together. We spent so much time training together we really did become like a family. Racing together, experiencing the pain and thrills of race day is something I will never forget. Plus we were all in epic shape come race day. Two other IMs later, it never felt as good as the first one.

What is the biggest mistake you’ve made in a triathlon?

My biggest mistake was not getting my bike professionally fit for over a year. Turned out the LBS sold me inventory and not the bike that was the right fit. It was a 54 (I currently ride a 48) and I just thought it was normal to have pain in that area… that peeing after cycling was supposed to hurt! My advice: do it immediately!

Any fun facts about yourself that you’d like to share?

I am an elementary school teacher at an IB World School in Moco. I recently jumped from Kindergarten to 5th grade. Boy what a change. I coach a run club for 2-5th graders to spread my love of running!

What is your favorite pair of shoes?

I need a stability shoe and the Adrenaline have always been a right fit for me. I dream of being sponsored so I can rep the company and score free products. Almost convinced them through humor that as a middle of the pack runner, I spend more time on the course, around more people so they would get more bang for their buck. Nothing has come of it… yet!

Have your children also gotten the triathlon bug?

Both of my children got into running and initially into to triathlons. We have a local one for kids in MoCo. They swam in the pool, rode around the park’s paved path on their extremely heavy, yet inexpensive bikes, and ran in the parking lot of Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg, MD. They both did very well and were quite excited to compete. I think if I had encouraged it more, they would have continued but having one triathlete in the family was expensive enough. I cannot even imagine couples who race! Ouch!

What do you enjoy outside of triathlon?

I really like to draw and do bullet journaling. I find peace and solitude in sketching and lettering. Using a bullet journal became my outlet in a functionally way. Bujo is like a cult and it’s so addicting to see other’s creations. It’s also perfect for this type A personality!