Jessica Tondre Bio
Athlete: Jessica Tondre
Lives City/State: Trophy Club, TX
Go to Orange Mud Gear: HQ VP1 and VP2
Primary Sport: Running
Bio: My family is my whole world and my faith and them come first. But I am fortunate to have a pretty flexible schedule to allow for training and all the joys in life. Right now I'm training for the NYC marathon although I'm battling a nagging hip/quad injury. I one day hope to BQ and in the mean time hope to have a whole lot of fun running lots of miles attempting to do so.
What sports do you participate in? Running, trail running, swimming, spinning, yoga
What is your favorite race food? Honey stinger chews
What is your go to hydration mix? Nuun
Do you have a major quirk you’d like to share? Not that I know of
If you were relate to an animal, what would it be? A fly, always taking a hit but you just can't squash me.
If a newbie to your sport asked for one piece of advice, what would it be? Don't be intimidated by the sport of running. It truly is just putting one foot in front of the other. Speed and endurance come with time. Just make the decision to be a better YOU and you'll find that running isn't so bad after all.
Do you have any racing pet peeves? (Gel packets, mud, thorns, smelly runners, etc). I can't stand gel packs, I hate the stickiness, I despise the holes made by safety pins into shirts to pin bibs on, and I hate people who line up in he wrong corral! And I always think about the shoe to put my timing tag on (if it's not on the bib). Am I more likely to cross over the finish line with my right foot or left foot?
What do you do for fun? I love having friends over with their kids and just drinking on the back patio (and I don't mean Nuun). I enjoy walks with my family and our 14 year old dachshund. I like letting my kids beat me at board games and front yard sitting with my hubby and the neighbors watching the kids play til dusk.
What is your post race ritual? Food (I hate to eat post race but know it's necessary). I can't stand the post race crap. I like a protein shake and two pieces of dry toast. I also want alcohol, but not beer. So a mimosa or glass of champagne always sounds good! Then I need a shower. I actually need this first. I am usually super salty. I take a shower to clean off and wash my hair, which is usually knotted like crazy, and then I take a hot bath to relax and then an ice bath. It's torture. Then a nap. I nap for at least two hours post marathon. Massage or foam roll is also on the post race agenda.
How long have you been running? Since my track days in high school. I never stopped after that. I just started running longer and longer distances. So about 20 years.
Why do you enjoy the sport? It's makes me FEEL better. I seriously NEED to run in order to feel right. I do think it does something to me neurochemically and it's almost like an addiction. I definitely have a sense of peace when I run and feel "in control" when I do.
What's your favorite trail race? Never raced a trail race but want to do One Ale of A Trail 5 or 10 Miler Trail race in April for my first. (Local)
What's your favorite local trail? Big Bear Creek Trail - Grapevine, TX
What's your go to piece of Orange Mud gear and why? The Hydraquiver Vest Pack 1 because it's great for trail runs and long road runs and isn't too heavy.
Profession and educational background? I'm a stay at home mom to 2 wonderful kiddos, Parker and Carleigh ages 5 and 7 but also am a paid blogger. My degree is in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.
What is your biggest accomplishment in your sport? Marathon PR 3:57 at the Chicago Marathon 2012, 5k PR 21:34.
Do you have a set training schedule and if so, what's it like? If not, how do you decide what to do? Yes, my coach has me on a NYC marathon plan (I'm in taper mode) where peak week was 55 miles and I'm now down to 40. I cross train one day a week with swimming and add a day of strength training to one of my shorter runs. I take one day off completely.
What's your dream race? The Boston Marathon and the Rocky Raccoon 50 miler
Favorite book for athletes? The Competitive Edge by Richard Elliot
Do you listen to audiobooks or music during exercise? Music on my lone runs and when I'm on group runs I love to talk!
What advice would you give to a new runner coming into the sport? To never give up! Have ultra dreams but can't run a 5k yet? No worries! Set your sights on that ultra goal and chip away at it with a smart plan and you'll achieve it!!! Don't listen to the naysayers, just show them!
Where do you draw your inspiration from? My kids inspire me to be a better me daily! I want to prove that even though I'm not elite, I can do what I set my mind to doing and that "regular" people have enormous capabilities, too! Lots of other amazing running friends in the social media community inspire me constantly, as well!
Have you struggled with any injuries? How do you manage them? Yes. I cross train and lean on my running community friends for support since it truly does depress me and utilize physical therapy, chiropractic care and my sports medicine docs to aid me in healing. But truthfully, I'm awful with it.
Anything else you’d like to share?
What was the best advice you were ever given?
A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams turn into reality.
What is your favorite local running or biking store?
Run On
What blogs and social profiles would you like us to feature here? Please list the links.
IG @jessrunsblessed
FB www.facebook.com/jessruns blessed
Twitter @jessrunsblessed