A Conversation with Jenny Leiser: Pro Triathlete

I have the opportunity to coach Jenny most mornings with the Charlotte Masters, and to see Jenny swim is to watch mathematics in motion. Each stroke is perfectly calibrated to propel her body through the water in rhythm with a crushing kick that rockets Jenny through the water with an unmatched pace and consistency. I knew swimming was just one part of Jenny’s training regimen and recently we had the chance to sit down to discuss the other sports that keep her in constant motion.

What does it mean to be a pro triathlete?

There are certain criteria established by USA Triathlon, and if you meet those criteria you are eligible to apply for your pro card. I qualified to apply, by winning the amateur race, where the pro race had a purse of over $50,000.

How long is your pro card valid for, once you achieve that?

Three years.

How do you reapply for your pro card?

You have to requalify and the criteria is a little harder. To requalify you have to be within 8% of the winners time at any given race. And when you are competing against the best in the world, that is incredibly difficult.

Does being a pro triathlete mean that you have sponsors?

Having a pro card does not necessarily mean that you have sponsors. Luckily, I do.

Who are your sponsors?

I am sponsored by Inside Out Sports, Swiftwick Socks, Green Apple Sports and Wellness, and Kangen Water.

How do you find sponsors?

Basically, I look to create relationships with products that I support.

What is you weekly work out regimen?

I am on the bike 4 times a week, running 6 times a week and swimming 4 times a week. My training is 15 to 20 hours a week, the majority of the time is spent on the bike, and can be between 7 and 10 hours on the bike, running is about 4 to 5 hours and swimming is 3 to 4 hours every week.

How many races do you compete in a year?

I usually average about 6 to 8 races a year. My last race was a half Ironman in Miami. For those of you who don’t know a half Ironman consists of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run.

What is your favorite race?

The Buck Hurley Sprint Triathlon, in Rowan County, which is actually this weekend May 2nd and 3rd. I have won the past two years, and hopefully will be bringing home a win again this year. This race has a great energy, a lot of community support, its very motivating for the participants, and its the biggest fundraiser of the year for that YMCA, which provides the money for a lot of the youth programs that they do. So it’s not just a good race, it also supports a good cause.

How important is what you eat to how you perform?

Very important, I have been a vegetarian for 20 years now. I eat a lot, which is the fun part. I eat as often as I want as much as I want, but I just try to make healthy choices. I try to get in a lot of my fruits and veggies first off, and usually when I do that I am not as hungry for the rest of the day. Basically, when I eat like crap, I feel like crap.

How does what you eat during training differ from what you eat on a race day?

On a race day I try to eat more slow release carbs and less fiber, so I try to eat more oatmeal, which is easily digested, but not too quickly digested. Things like oatmeal and sweet potatoes have a low glycemic index so they tend to stay with you and provide energy for a little bit longer.

Did you play any sports growing up?

I grew up in a swimming family and I swam in college at the College of Charleston. And I am terrible on land…I had to teach myself how to run, because I am so uncoordinated on land. It’s been a long and slow process.

How important is technology to being a successful triathlete?

What you see in popular, everyday society is not necessarily what you will see among pro triathletes. You probably aren’t going to see many of us wearing a FitBit or an Apple watch. However, technology does play a big role, especially on the bike. Most people wear a watch that has a GPS and is more specific to determining pace and effort. The Garmin watch is probably the most popular right now. Where you’ll see the most technology and focus on technology is on the bike, fine tuning the bike and making it as aerodynamic and fast as possible.

What drives you?

I like challenging myself. I respond really well to seeing what I am capable of, and redefining what is possible. Just challenging that conception of what you are capable of and what your limitations are. As a woman, with a full-time, professional career and also as an athlete who trains and competes at a high level, I just like proving that women are capable of that. I feel like women are confined to defining success by their work or by their family, but in general don’t take time to set goals and pursue success outside of those areas, and it can be very rewarding to do that. Having challenging fitness goals can actually bring more fulfillment to your job and to your family.

What’s next for Jenny Leiser?

This year I am racing for a few charities, some pet rescues, particularly the Humane Society of Charlotte and another organization called the Rescue Project that raises money and then distribute it to rescues around the world. I am focusing on rescues that pull animals directly from the shelter. Since I am racing on a professional level I’ll eligible to win the prize purse, and if I win I’ll be donating that purse to these charities.

If people want to learn more about you where can they go?

I collect websites like I collect cats, so you can find me at: www.jennyleiser.com, www.trikitten.com, Twitter and Instagram.