The MP4 Spotlight is On: Jacqueline Carly

Written by Joanna

February 26th, 2010

by Joanna Sutter

Lift. Bike. Eat. Repeat. That pretty much sums up my week…and I loved every minute! MP4 designed the first phase of my bike race training plan, and let me tell you, it rocks! My notes from my first ride? “Sweat drippin’, legs twitchin’!” When I was done with the second ride, I called Jodi and told her that I got my grove back thanks to this plan. And, ride three? Well, it’s called, “Joanna’s On Fire!” with good reason! Someone call the fire department, this girl is fired up!

Enough about me, let’s meet…

The MP4 Athlete of the week: Jacqueline Carly

If we asked your coach or training partner to list three words that describe you they would be: Oh boy. Umm, I think my coach would say I’m honest (even when I slack), driven, and kind.

What are you training 4? I’ll be running my 4^th marathon in October so that is where my focus is right now.  It’s a bit different this time as I trained myself for the last 3 and this time I’ll be running as an MP4 athlete (they don’t mess around!) Also, I have recently started exploring barefoot running, and am working on a fore-foot strike, rather than heel strike.  It will take a while for my body to get used to it, but I’d love to run October’s marathon in my Vibram Five Finger Sprints.

What is the best nutrition or training tip you’ve ever been given? “If you can catch it, pick it, grow it or kill it then it’s yours!”

Tell us about your most memorable athletic achievement. Well, it’s a tie between my first marathon (Chicago) and my first figure competition. The exhilaration of running 26.2 miles and crossing the finish line is indescribable.  I felt like queen of the universe!!! Then, getting on stage in a bikini in front of tons of people after struggling with body & eating disorder issues for so many years was just huge for me.  I don’t think I’ll ever do it again, but I’m proud of myself for getting to that one moment.

Describe your perfect workout. In a perfect world, I’d meet my coach at the track at 5am and she’d kick my butt with plyos, sprints, and bleacher workouts. (I always work harder when I have someone yelling at me!) Then I’d get to have yummy protein pancakes and a Starbucks latte.

How do you achieve workout/life balance? I’m still working on this one.   I do well when I workout very early in the morning while my family is still asleep. That time is all mine and helps me set a positive tone for the rest of my day.  It’s when I don’t get it done that everything gets out of whack and I get cranky.

What motivates you on days you don’t feel like working out? Of course we all know the benefits of exercise & healthy eating, but when it comes down to getting my a** out of bed at 5am, I’m not going to lie, it is purely for vanity reasons – I want to look good naked!  When I look good, I feel good and when I feel good I’m a better mommy/person. It’s a ripple effect. But I’ve come to learn that, for my body, what I want takes a lot of hard work so it all comes down to taking action. I pep talk myself A LOT ( “c’mon Jacq, just get out the door, you got this, only one hour, you’ll feel so much better afterward etc” ) Also, having grown up a very overweight child & adolescent, that is always in the back of my mind. I don’t want my body to ever feel that dis-ease again.

If you could workout with anyone in the world who would it be and why? Either Deena Kastor or Paula Radcliffe (both elite runners).  I have watched them race over the years and I am in awe of the way they make running look so smooth and effortless. I would love to just be able to run beside them (or behind them!) so I could see up close how they do what they do.

What is your favorite workout accessory? It was my Garmin racing watch, but I just got an iPod Touch and I am in love! Not only does it have music, but I can download videos, movies, podcasts, audio books…it’s a one stop media center. I have a bunch of CrossFit videos on there and they really inspire me to push myself at the gym.

What kitchen gadget can you not live without? My microwave. I am queen of the microwave (I hate to cook, and am totally lazy). I can make oatmeal, eggs, frozen veggies, heat up my fish/meat, protein porridge…oh how I love my microwave!

What was the last thing you’ve had to eat today? Tilapia (white fish) and string beans.

What book or magazine is on your bed side table? Ok, I have a severe book problem. I am a book-a-holic! Seriously, I am always reading/listening to anywhere from 3-5 books at any given time and can’t leave a bookstore without buying a new one. It’s a sickness.  So, right now it’s:

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
What Would Google Do? by Jeff Jarvis
Ready, Fire, Aim by Michael Masterson
The End of Overeating by David Kessler

What beauty product is always in your purse or gym bag? Lip gloss.

What is the most played song on your iPod? The Suffering by Coheed & Cambria

The first place you go when you log on to your computer is….Email, always.

When you’re not working out where can we find you? Hanging out with my daughter or at the office

What’s your motto? One day at a time. Focus on today.

Tags: athlete spotlight, barefoot training, Friday fun, motivation, training for per4mance