Jackie Burt:

I live in Gunnison, Colorado surrounded by amazing mountains and even more amazing people. Triathlon became a passion of mine in 2001…accidentally. In the beginning I was a runner. I ran in Jr. High and High school and regretfully chose to decline an invitation to run in college. But during my college years I continued to run on my own and also fell in love with mountain biking. Mountain biking is a prerequisite at Western State College in Gunnison. I entered a few mountain bike races as a beginner, then “sport” racer and had a lot of fun and some initial success. I looked up to the pro women like they were superstars and dreamed of getting there.

Then real life hit! Graduated, got married, got a real job, bought a house all in the same year. Not long after that came the baby in the baby carriage…then another one. I thankfully never hung up my bike or my running shoes. They were my passion and my centering mechanism.

Enter triathlon: I was given a “hand-me-down” wetsuit. Incidentally, it’s the same wetsuit I wear today. I received the wetsuit on a Monday…the Xterra Mountain Championships were the following Sunday. I thought I’d go along, bring the kids and enjoy watching this CRAZY event. Instead, I entered the race. I’d never been so nervous or unsure about any event…of course I did it. Of course I LOVED it! It was the hardest thing I’d ever done. I did not go fast.

So, I planned my training – gratefully accepted Melanie McQuaid’s offer to coach me and (my husband) Ashley, dedicated my life to training, picked the races in which I could qualify for my elite license and started in. I did earn my license.

Now I am an off road elite triathlete. That is why I have a web site.