- Name:
Beth Jones
- What is your day job, and do you have other hobbies?:
By day, I’m an “uber-geek” – I analyze computer threats all day. I am also the chief chef in our house, a mom to a cute pre-schooler and two spoiled pugs. I also love to knit and crochet, particularly cuddly toys. I’m also a Crossfitter.
- Age:
41
- When did you start obstacle course racing? Tell us about your first race.:
I only started running/racing in 2012. I ran my first road race a bit before I ran my first OCR, Ruckus. I really wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it, but I had a great time doing it. It was the furthest I’d ever ran, so there was a REAL sense of accomplishment when I crossed that finish line. I’d only just started Crossfit, had (and still have) a bum shoulder, never saw a wall in my life, let alone the rest of it, but I still made it. I had two great guys help me to the end Paul and Paul Howes.
- What was your biggest accomplishment at an obstacle course race? What made it your biggest accomplishment (overcame a fear, injury, disability etc?):
I feel like I overcome something at every race. There’s the fear of the unknown, fear of damaging my shoulder (or something else) always in the back (or front sometimes) of my mind. Every race I’ve done starts with fear. But I think the biggest accomplishment for me is doing all this with fibromyalgia. I hear so many people say that have fibro say they can’t do this or that, can’t exercise, etc. I am so thrilled to be with my fellow fibro Spahtens and prove the “conventional wisdom regarding fibro” wrong.
- What attracts you to obstacle course races? Why do you keep coming back?:
It’s really all about pushing myself and my limits. I want to see how far I can go. My mind wants to give up long before my body. That omni-present negative voice that says “I can’t”. I have to keep proving that voice is a liar, so I don’t keep believing it like I used to.
- What are your training and/or diet routines? Do you have other athletic pursuits?:
I train at Crossfit Wachusett 3-4 times a week. I’m also between 80-100% strict Paleo. Dark chocolate is a treat and you will pry coffee from my cold, dead hands. There’s also a definite soft spot for bacon and date balls.
- Were you always athletic? If not, what athletic changes have you made to keep up the obstacle course race lifestyle?:
I was never an athlete. I was overweight as a kid, clumsy and awkward. I was in all accelerated/advanced classes in school, and of course we were always told smart kids weren’t athletes, and athletes weren’t smart. By high school I was into full blown anorexia. Then went years of yo-yoing. It was finally when I hit 220lbs or so (I would never stand on a scale so no idea how big I was) that I did something about it. It’s taken several forms, dance, gym, Zumba and now Crossfit, but I am a long way away from that person. I can honestly say I’m the strongest and healthiest I’ve been.
- Who, alive or dead, would you invite to run an obstacle course race with you?:
Tough question. I already run with my best friend. I guess maybe my mom.
- Tell us a fun fact about yourself that we may not know!:
I used to be a semi pro belly dancer.
- What are your goals? Next race, next season … what’s in your future?:
This year I want to run more OCRs, of course. I would love to Trifecta this year. I also want to compete in some Crossfit competitions. And CMC (Civilian Military Combine) is definitely on the radar.
