Meet Jenny Ames, a full time sales associate, a full time mother of two, a loving spouse, and a tremendously hard working athlete who just completed her first Ironman triathlon - a grueling endurance event consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run. Some will call her crazy, others will call her dedicated, but I call her inspirational.  We asked Jenny a few questions to find out what fuels her fire.

What inspired you to begin training for an Ironman? 

I met Carol Ofenstein November 23, 2008 only a week after she had just completed her first Ironman.  I was in awe!  I thought this woman is amazing.  She had this unbelievable, indescribable glow about her and at that point right there, I told myself, I want that!  I want that glow! I want to be an Ironman like Carol.  Shortly afterward I signed up for Arizona.   I was all in now … no turning back. 

What has been the biggest obstacle for you through your training for the Ironman? 

Definitely juggling my time and trying to keep everyone happy at home.  Working full time, having 2 children that are active in sports, managing a soccer team, and training 15-20hrs a week can be difficult.  If you allow it, it can be a tremendous stress on the family.  Sure there were days where I didn’t want to train, or get out of bed.  There were times where I would just cry for no reason other than I was mentally drained.   You cry, you get out of bed and get on with the day.  The desire has to supersede all the negativity your mind throws at you.  Every weekend was a new schedule for me.  Missing my kids activities or my training was not an option.  I wanted both so I did what it took to make it happen

Describe a typical weekend when you have to get in a long workout and your children have some sort of tournament/sporting event going on?

I plan my Saturday bike route to finish where the girls are playing.  I hit the road by 5am Saturday which gives me 5-6 hours to get in 80 miles before I get to be a spectator and cheer on my girls.  On Sunday, the park is 15-20 miles away from home so I decide to run there, starting my run by 5:30am – no time wasted.  Everyone is happy!

I call it creatively managing my time.  It’s amazing what you can accomplish in a day or a weekend or a week – it makes you realize how much time you waste in life.  When someone tells me they don’t have time, I chuckle inside.  We all make time for the things that are important to us, somehow, don’t we?  This is important to me.

What is a typical week like for you?

I train 6 days a week, 15-20hrs a week.  Most days consist of an early morning and evening workout.   During the week I am either at the gym at 4:30 swimming or out running by 5-5:15 AM.  I have to get in what I can before 6:20am because I still have to get the kids to school and make it to work by 8am.  I have the privilege of working close to home so I utilize my lunch hour to pick the girls up from school every day – it’s a great time to discuss how our days are going.  After transporting kids to practice I usually get in a run or hit the gym for a spin class during their practice time.    It sounds hectic, but it all just falls into place..  We are typically home by 7-7:30pm.  My husband or the crock pot does most of the cooking, and we eat at home 99% of the time.  We always eat dinner together as a family.  I am in bed no later than 9 o’clock every night.   I think it sounds worse than it is.. It’s a running joke with friends..  they all know I shut down at 9pm.. so if were meeting for dinner we better start early. 

How has your family supported you through this whole process?  My family rocks.  .  I train in the early hours so that I’m not taking anything away from them. My husband was scared for me at first but as I completed longer rides and runs, he lost that doubt.  My daughter would laugh at me and say, “When I ask you if you’re scared you tell me you’re excited, and when I ask if you’re excited you tell me you’re scared…”   It was so true; each day was a different emotion. 

As it came down to race day the girls were nervous but Steve kept telling me “this is nothing for you, you do this all the time”.  I really needed to hear that! As the last month approaches you wonder if you did enough.  You start to doubt yourself and this is where your family and your coach come in – they are there to make sure you stay sane and to reassure you that you can do this.

Do people ever look at you and think you're nuts?  Most people think I’m nuts! My family thinks I’m nuts!  But I think its nuts to be sedentary… get outside, live your life, and realize that nothing is impossible!  We put up roadblocks in our own minds, we choose to get up and move or not.   It’s such a rush to overcome obstacles.  I witnessed a double paraplegic young man finish an Ironman in less than 17hrs! What do I have to complain about? 

What advice do you have for a busy working mother who has a desire to train for an Ironman and or other endurance events? 

I didn’t play sports growing up; I’m just an average person.  I’m the lady at Starbucks, the soccer mom, the next door neighbor.  You don’t have to be some elite athlete to accomplish an Ironman.  Look at your daily schedule, utilize the stagnant time that you have. There will be more than you realize.  Use your time wisely and put your desire into action. 

How has Ironman changed your life?   Something magical happened to me that day – it’s so beyond words.  I think you have to experience it to understand it. I have come to realize that I am an athlete, finally. Crossing that finish line also confirmed to my friends that they can do this too. I am just a normal person who decided to test myself mentally and physically.  If I can do this, so can you! 

What did you think when you crossed the finish line?  It’s over already?  Followed by, "Wow, I did it, I really did it!"  Nothing in my body hurt, total euphoria.  I didn’t cry, which I totally expected to do. I was too happy to cry.  I wanted to see my family, their smiles pouring out of their eyes.  When your best friend tells you that you are now her son's hero, you can’t put a price on that.  I always say the next best thing to crossing a finish line, is inspiring someone to get moving. You want everyone to feel as good as you feel.

I came to Arizona to finish the Ironman and to enjoy every minute of my race.  I did both!  No one can ever take that away from me.  I wish everyone could experience the feeling of crossing an Ironman finish line - it’s a rush like no other! 

How have you enjoyed working with Joby as your coach?   There are coaches that train for money and they don’t care if you show up or not, they get paid either way.  Then there are coaches that train because they want to see others excel, they have so much heart for fitness and they want to share it and see others experience the joy of being healthy - this is Joby.  He has so much knowledge and such a way of delivering it – he does not belittle or boast, he encourages and praises.  He just gives and gives.  I don’t think I would have crossed that finish line without Joby.  He was there with me the entire day, in my head giving me the confidence to finish, telling me to “stick to the plan.” 

There are two things I have learned about Joby: 1) He always has a purpose for the training he has assigned you.  You will doubt him, wonder what he is thinking, but trust me, in the end results don’t lie.  2) He doesn’t say much but what he speaks people listen, what he says has impact… not many people have that gift.