Heather Jasontek was one of the best JSTC stories in 2008. No one swam more open water than Heather, and the hard work paid off with a show of confidence that made all the regular 5am’ers proud.
A gifted runner…oh the times she could put up if only she had a road bike!
The Heather Jasontek Interview:
JSTC: Good morning Heather. You look different without your wetsuit on! Easy one first....Where were you born and what’s home today?
HJ: I’m a pure bred Jersey girl – born and raised in Old Bridge. Although I call Brick home now, I really should be calling various hotels home since I’ve spent more nights in hotels in the past 4 month than I have at my house.
JSTC: What is the support crew consist of?
My mom – she will always be there no matter where it is! J
JSTC: What do you do for a living?
Forensic accounting consultant/internal auditor. Yes, a dreaded auditor.
JSTC: Being an accountant, are you obsessed with pace/splits, and empirical data?
Actually, no, not at all. Come on, not all accountants are dorky number crunchers in everything that we do.
JSTC: The JSTC recently had to mail in $650 to the State of NJ just to stay out of jail and be allowed to swim bike run while Merck, Colgate, Heinz, Chubb and ATT continue to send jobs out of state and tighten the death spiral of lost revenue. Can you save us with your forensic powers?
Can I save you…definitely not. If you want to stay and play in the state of NJ you have to pay off all the bribes that the politicians are making so you have to cough up the $650 in taxes. The other companies just smartened up and moved their operations to less corrupt states.
JSTC: Am I wrong, or should we all just follow the trend and do triathlon in Costa Rica?
I’m in, when are we going?
JSTC: Why did you get into triathlon?
I wanted to do the Danskin race for several years but other obligations always got in the way (or people didn’t think I was capable of it). This year I decided to forget everything else and finally take the steps to do it.
JSTC: How does the JSTC fit into your swim-bike-run world?
If JSTC wasn’t around I wouldn’t be doing tri’s. Plain and simple. Doesn’t anyone remember me trying to swim in May?
JSTC: JSTC: I remember those early days in the river. Two strokes and stop…two strokes and stop. Almost like you had a short circuit. Watching you then evolve into a confident ocean swimmer was very cool. Summarize your adventure in H2O for us and those who may very well learn to travel the same path in 2009.
I was pretty confident as I took my first steps in the river back in May. After all, I come from a swimming family –Olympic swimmers even – so I should have no problem swimming even though I haven’t been in the water in ummm…oh, about 20 years. Hahaha….yeah, sure. Well, I had a lot to learn obviously since (name deleted) said I did absolutely everything wrong the first day we got in. Ah ha. But I knew I wanted to try this tri thing so I knew I had to conquer this awful swim part. So I went every M, W and Fri to the river and then eventually to the big, bad ocean because I knew that the only way I was going to be able to do this was if I 1) learned how to swim properly and 2) practiced at every chance I had. I never had any fear of the water, I just obviously sucked. But now I’m pretty confident that even if I can’t swim fast (I’m working on it) at least I know that I can hold my own out there. I couldn’t have done it without the JSTC (I don’t want your ego to get much bigger)…thanks again for all your patience. And for people going forward – you too will be able to conquer the swim. It just takes some patience and a lot, a lot of practice.
JSTC: What is your favorite race in the can so far and why?
Okay, there are only 3 so let’s put this in perspective….
JSTC: I’ll answer for you…War at The Shore. You had a heck of a day there.
JSTC: You win the lottery and can travel anywhere to do a triathlon….where are you going?
South Africa or New Zealand.
JSTC: What bike you riding?
The one everyone makes fun of, including me – a purple mountain bike. And no, I don’t just use it on the mountains. That is my normal bike. Don’t worry, I hold my own on it. I am accepting financial donations for a new bike if anyone would like to contribute. J
JSTC: Mountain bike…..?
I do agree that I need a road or tri bike; however, unfortunately the mtn bike is staying for now. L Let’s see…pay my mortgage or get a new bike…have heat this winter or a bike…eat or a bike….I’m going to go with mortgage and other expenses right now. Although, I’m willing to have someone buy me a new road bike. J Any takers??
JSTC: What wetsuit?
Zoot
JSTC: What running shoes do you wear?
Zoot – they have converted this once Nike only snob into wearing something besides Nike!
JSTC: You qualified for The Boston Marathon. Tell us about that…
I told myself when I signed up for Chicago that I was going to do everything possible to qualify for Boston. I’d done marathons in the past, but my training always fell off as the summer ended and I would crash and burn during the race, never coming near the qualifying time. I never knew if I would even be able to run fast enough to qualify, but I was going to try my damndest this year. Everything was about running - was I running far enough or fast enough. I trained harder than I ever did before. And learned a lot about myself and my life during those miles and miles on the boardwalk.
I was SO nervous race week because I wanted this more than anything else and I knew that I would be devastated if I didn’t get that time. Every time I thought about the race I would get butterflies and stuff. To complicate things just a little my best friend decided that she was getting married that Saturday of race weekend. So, I did what every other person would do – flew out to Chicago on Friday, back to NJ Friday night, participated in the wedding on Saturday, flew back to Chicago Saturday night, and ran on Sunday. Yes, I am a complete nutcase. J
But something clicked on race morning as I was running with the 3:30 pace group – all I had to do was run, no thinking was involved. And I did, I gave it everything I had. There was no wall this year. There was no thinking that I couldn’t do it. There was none of that – there was just pushing through all the pain and emotion to get to the end. When I turned the corner after 26 miles I knew I had done it – I sprinted the remaining 385 yards and cried as I crossed the finish line and realized that I had just run a 3:35 marathon. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I could run that time. Never. I was on cloud 9 the rest of the day that I couldn’t stop smiling or jumping around (or eating – I was starving!!). Fortunately the pain waited until the next day to come.
JSTC: What figure in life has inspired you?
My mom – everything I do is to make her proud so I want to do my absolute best for her with everything.
JSTC: Give me three songs that get you pumped on the way to a race
Crazy Bitch – Buckcherry
Thrash Unreal – Against Me
Let It Die – Foo Fighters
JSTC: What was the last book you read?
Other than the CIA review books that I’m currently reading (riveting I tell you), it would have to be I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. Absolutely hysterical – warning, though, it is definitely not for all audiences due to it’s raunchiness.
JSTC: What’s in your water bottle on race day?
Ahhhh, water…duh.
JSTC: You must have been asked, “Who’s buried in Grants tomb” a lot as a kid….
JSTC: Did you ever put a little extra air in your tires on race morning thinking “I’m going for broke today?”
You mean I’m supposed to put air in my tires?
JSTC: What is your favorite board game?
Pictionary
JSTC: That is a great game, especially for families with kids. Turn the TV off and play that one rainy day! Excellent selection…5 Stars!
JSTC: What was your favorite cereal as a kid?
Frosted Flakes….after all, they’re GRRRRREAT!!!
JSTC: Classic cereal, but flawed in the name. They are not frosted with sugar…They are CAKED with sugar. But if you could get them to sit in cold milk for 2 minutes….Heaven!
JSTC: As a triathlete, I need food to run my body. Can I deduct my sweet potatoes, pasta, Carbo Pro and Red Bull as a fuel expense? Can I deduct my Hammer Recoverite as repair and maintenance?
You can attempt to deduct whatever you want, just don’t be surprised when the not so nice IRS auditor comes knocking on your door to audit your records and you have to provide some explanation for your expenses.
JSTC: Hey getting back to your job…What does forensic mean? I feel like you know what I look like naked…
All it means is that I evaluate that the company and auditors did their job in accordance with the professional accounting standards. See, the real interpretation is pretty lame compared to the “sexy” title of forensic accountant.
JSTC: I imagine the water cooler at the forensic accounting laboratory is some wild scene. What do you guys talk about on a Monday morning?
Laboratory? I don’t do any autopsies on dead accountants or anything like that (and yes, some people that I’ve met actually thought that is what I did). I work in an office…so what do we talk about on Monday mornings…how drunk we got, how many people we hooked up with, how the Giants kicked ass, how the BCS really needs to figure out a playoff system, you know, the usual stuff.
JSTC: I own Citi Group. Can you please go up there and find out what happened to all my money?
You are screwed… (my opinion)
JSTC: Xterra extraordinaire Bob Horn recently saw the light and bought a P3C. Is there a write off there…kind of like changing jobs?
Let me think about that….ummm, nope. If you want to play with the big boys you have to take the hit.
JSTC: Can his brother Tim Horn accelerate the depreciation of his shiney HED disk wheel? I think he needs some other capital improvement investment to get faster and hold off the tsunami of young talent about to challenge him locally here at the Shore.
What’s a HED disk wheel? Do you remember you are talking to the person that didn’t know she had to put air in her tires so Kathy had to do it?
I think Tim is going to be fine – he has more experience under his belt which is priceless.
JSTC: What kind of sunglasses you wearing in the picture at Danskin?
Nike – of course.
JSTC: How was that Danskin race?
It was interesting…let’s just say I’m not into the motivational, I’m wonderful for doing this, I’m super sensational mantra that they profess. Sorry, it’s just not for me. But once I got past that, it was a well organized event and a good one to get my feet wet with and understand what a real sprint triathlon is all about.
JSTC: You are on a easy pace 100 mile through classic New England with anyone in the world…A chance to talk for 7 hours. Who is it?
Lance Armstrong and Paula Radcliffe
JSTC: Who was your favorite sports hero growing up as a kid?
Michael Jordan
JSTC: Simpsons or Family Guy?
Family Guy
JSTC: Seinfeld or 11 pm news?
Seinfeld
JSTC: How many iPods have been lost or broken over your career?
Nada, although I just got a new one which I’m pretty psyched about.
JSTC: You somehow figure out a way to cram your bike and gear into this dream vehicle for a ride up to Timberman. What is it?
My dream car isn’t going to hold a bike and gear just so you know. I just want a convertible that is a stick with heated seats and an ipod interface. So I’m thinking the Lexus SC, Audi S4, or the Mercedes CLK.
JSTC: You sound just like my daughters!
JSTC: What bottled water you drinking?
I’m working on being eco friendly so it would be filtered water out of my sigg.
JSTC: Aha! You are saving your best carbon footprint for the real thing….a carbon bike! Someone tell Denise Salvatore to get some JSTC siggs in here, along with visors, shirts, and wind breakers!
Sigg website found HERE
JSTC: You are not feeling it on race morning and need something legal...what are you reaching for?
Nothing – can’t eat or drink before I race.
JSTC: Now you really sound like my daughters!
JSTC: What are you eating for dinner the night before a race?
I got to one of two options: a piece of fake chicken (I’m a veggie) in a whole wheat wrap or pb&j (no grape – gross) on whole wheat.
JSTC: Now I think you may be my daughter!
JSTC: Who writes the best race reports in the club?
Well, there are the comical ones and the sentimental ones and the inspirational ones…too many to choose from. I read them all and enjoy them all in one way or another.
JSTC: How do you eat an oreo cookie?
In one bite!! And who’s eatin’ 1 oreo cookie – not me that’s for sure.
JSTC: Ever hear of Brielle Cyclery?
Awesome place, awesome people. When are they having the riding bikes for dummies clinic again? I definitely need to go to that again.
JSTC: Will you be mountain biking this winter?
Who’s twisting my arm to get me out there??
JSTC: Who did you really enjoy getting to know at swim this year?
Everyone. It was so nice to meet people that enjoy things that I’m interested in. Maybe if the track workouts were at a normal time then I would have been able to go to those too and meet other folks…Sorry, Dave, but not all of us work just a half day everyday as a teacher. (Oooh, low blow, I know. Don’t worry, though, my mom is a teacher and I give her hell too for barely working during the year.)
JSTC: What are your 2009 goals?
I’ll still be training for marathons in 2009. I’m doing 2 so far – Boston in April and NY in November. I would like to do a HIM, but that’s probably a bit ambitious. We’ll see. I’m going to continue with the sprint distance and I’m definitely upgrading to some Olympic distance races. As you can see I’ve planned well with what I am going to do and when. One race at a time…
JSTC: You get the last word:
Thanks to everyone for a great 2008. I’ve never had so much fun waking up at 5 am M, W, and Friday mornings in the summer! I look forward to many good times in the off season and a very fun and ambitious 2009