In this week’s episode we hear from Angie Jackson. Angie recently completed Ironman 70.3 Atlantic City and is on her quest to become an Ironman in 2022.
Angie gives us an overview of her background and what compelled her to start her journey to becoming heart healthy. Angie is part of a very supportive group in her current town of Fayetteville, NC called Black Girls Run. It was through that group that she was introduced to the sport of triathlon. Angie admits how during her 1st Super Sprint she used the lane ropes to “pull” herself across the water to complete the swim leg.
Not learning to swim as a child, Angie signed up for adult swim lessons at her local YMCA. She tells us what that experience was like and confesses that she had to take the class a second time.
We talk about how a 1.2 mile swim needs to be respected and Angie recommends a book that has helped her.
Angie is targeting Ironman Maryland 2022 for her 1st full distance race. Her new motto is “Wanna be a Crabbie.” She explains what drew her to that venue over the others she had to choose from.
Just after completing the 70.3 in Atlantic City, Angie accompanied a friend to Augusta Georgia to perform Sherpa duties and served as a race volunteer. Angie gives one of the best “pro tips” ever: Volunteers can go everywhere.
She tells a very funny account of how she guided the swimmers to the Swim Finish. From there she worked the bike and run courses and was even handing out medals at the finish line. She even gets me to commit to volunteering at a race soon.
When asked how she balances training, work, and family; Angie provides a very honest response. She describes how a date with her “significant other” looks and we agree that while delicious, corn dogs and funnel cakes from the State Fair and not part of Ironman training.
We discuss how Angie came to name her bike Hurricane. After telling the story of my bike again, Angie casually provides what my bike will be called moving forward.
Angie gives some very good advice for anyone that is just starting out or struggling to maintain focus: have an accountability partner. It’s often easier to give up on yourself than it is to let someone else down.
I look forward to following Angie’s journey over the next year and am sending her all the positives vibes in her training for Ironman Maryland 2022.