Today Jessica Jacobs toed the line at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, for the third time, but her first as a professional athlete.  “It was a bit overwhelming starting with the big dogs, but I kept reminding myself that the race is won or lost in your attitude, not your body,” Jacobs said.  

 

After a long but uneventful morning of trying to keep the butterflies at bay, the cannon finally went off to signal the start of the race.    Jacobs started the swim with a pack, but decided around the end of the first mile that she needed to push herself a little harder.  Despite coming out of the water behind her goal time, she maintained her positive outlook, saying, “It is a long day; ANYTHING is possible.”

 

The notoriously brutal bike and run courses were true to form.  “As I was climbing on the bike, the wind would hit me from the right, then the left, and then the right again.  It felt like a giant hair dryer was in my face the whole time!  The run felt great for the most part, aside from the unreal heat.  I started out cruising at 6:30-6:45 minute per mile pace and settled into a 7:15-7:45 minute per mile pace.  At the end of the race, I was able to kick it up a notch and pass four girls during the last three miles.”

 

Jacobs finished the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run in ten hours and four minutes, crossing the line as the 21st female pro and 6th American female overall.

 

Jessica’s 2009 season was one of impressive results.  She started out the year with the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, Alabama, finishing in 2:54:53 as the top female.  She also finished first at the National Duathlon Championships, Powerman Alabama; this was her first try at a duathlon.

 

Her triathlon season started up with the inaugural race of the Women’s Trek Tri series, yielding yet another first place finish.  This was followed by Ironman Couer D’Alene.  She finished 7th, but set a new run course record, putting down a time of 3:12:00 for the marathon.

 

 Jessica then traveled to Germany for Quelle Challenge Roth, a race known to host the toughest professional field outside of the Ford Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.  Despite crashing on the bike course, Jessica held on for a 6th place finish.    

 

Just four weeks before Hawaii, Jacobs completed Ironman Wisconsin.  Despite hydration issues that led to debilitating cramping and, eventually, her kidneys shutting down, Jessica pulled through for a 9th place finish.

 

Next up for Jessica is Ironman Florida on November 7, 2009.  Last year she placed third, and is excited about the potential for another podium finish.