Tue, Jun 11, 2024Athlete Spotlight - Jenn Flemke
Introducing our next featured athlete... Jenn Flemke!
In this blog post, Jenn shares her personal insights and experiences, from her favorite Somersault event and preferred race distance to her first taste of multisport racing in 2021. She also offers invaluable advice for newcomers to the multisport world. Dive into Jenn's journey and get inspired by her love for the sport and her thoughtful tips for success.
How did you get into triathlon/duathlon:
I began my journey into triathlon in 2021, at age 48, after my physiotherapist advised me to give up running, and become a cyclist, due to an ankle impingement injury. I cried when he said this. I hadn't biked since I was a child, and didn't own a bike. Thinking that I'd try it out and hate it, I didn't buy a bike right away. My husband had salvaged a bike from a neighbor's trash...it wouldn't shift gears, and the brakes didn't work. Despite this, I quickly developed a passion for biking.
The missing element was swimming...I hated water, never even swam in my backyard pool, and open water is my biggest phobia. My only skill was the ability to keep myself from sinking. I signed up for the Esprit Triathlon in Montreal at the end of summer 2021 to force myself to stay consistent. I started slowly, with doggy paddling, one lap at a time in my pool, stopping to hang onto the edge every few meters, and then gradually building my endurance using a stroke I'd made up. In September I crossed the finish line, in what I thought would be a one-and-done thing. 11 triathlons and 5 duathlons later, and I'm absolutely hooked!
What's your favourite Somersault event:
The Canadian is my favourite Somersault multisport event (Embrace Winter is my favourite running event). It comes at the end of the summer when training is almost done, so I feel more relaxed and confident, and can just enjoy the day and have fun. I love the venue...the spacious transition zone on the plush soccer pitch at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility...swimming in the warm water at Mooney's Bay...the smooth, fast ride on the Colonel By Parkway...and the run finish on the track. We are so lucky to have a triathlon in an urban area of our beautiful city!What is your favourite event distance?:My favourite distance used to be sprint, but I've been gradually transitioning to olympic. I've also switched my primary focus to duathlon. I enjoy the challenge and different strategies required to run before biking, and then running again.
What is your 2024 goal:
My 2024 goal is the Olympic Du at Somersault's Thousand Islands in August. What is your advice for anyone getting started in multisport: Everyone is different, some people train to race, some people race to train. Don't compare yourself to others, but do get involved in the local triathlon community (clubs, group rides, open-water swimming sessions)...triathletes are incredibly welcoming and supportive to newcomers, and are eager to help with advice on equipment, training, fuelling, etc. Being consistent in your training is the best way to set yourself up for a great experience on race day (also...make lists, lots of lists so you don't forget anything!). Once you get to the event, if you've been consistent in your training, you've done the work, so it's time to enjoy yourself! Triathlon is a sport that everyone can do, at any age.
Thank you, Jenn for sharing your passion for multisport events!