Name: Jody Nelson
Age: 45
Important life realities (kids, two jobs, go to school, work big job, etc.): Married for 16 years; daughter – 13, son – 9 both alpine skiers on Team Summit; Managing Director at UL for Functional Safety and Autonomy Safety
What’s your favorite sport/season?: Trail and mountain running, although Joe has been increasing my interest in uphill skiing. I hope to become more competitive in skimo. Joe has a lot of work ahead of him, I’m only along for the ride.
If you’re having a cocktail and reminiscing, what training/racing story are you likely to tell?: I have made many mistakes as a runner, but probably my most noteworthy was in 2013, the year I started running. I was running my first 10k, and longest race to date, the BAA 10k in Boston with my wife. I made every rookie mistake; cotton shirt, dark hat, I didn’t drink any fluids as I had not figured out how to drink while running at that time, I ran in the sun because everyone else was running in the shade. The last thing I remember in that race was that I was a half mile to the finish. The next thing I remember is waking up in a cattle trough full of ice water. I had a thermometer stuck in my butt and a doctor standing over me asking what my social security number was, what year it was, who was the president. I looked up and said, “What was my time”? He smiled and said, “You are lucky to be alive son”. My body temperature was 108 F and I was later brought by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital.
What’s your go-to pump-up song before a workout or race?: Eminem – Lose Yourself; Metallica, Pantera, AC/DC, GnR
What’s your favorite training or race fuel? Store bought or homemade?: P&B sandwiches, pancakes and boiled potatoes at aid stations; recently baby food and Honey Stinger waffles have been working well during long training runs
Do you have any pre-race superstitions?: Not really a superstition, but not being able to poop before an ultra sets off for a long day
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to younger-athlete-you?: Get a coach. Find a sustainable balance between training, family and work.
Do you have a motto?: Not really, but when I’m 6-7 hours into a race, I keep reminding myself that everyone else is suffering too, that I need to just keep moving forward.
Any big races or adventures coming up?: For this year I so far have the Grand Traverse Ski Race, Silver Runs 50M and Bear 100M.
Do you prefer training partners or solo missions?: By default of schedule I find myself spending a lot of time solo, but I enjoy having company when I’m on a 20-30 mile training run.
What advice do you have for someone trying to do what you’ve done in sport?: I think it is important to talk with other athletes to see what works for them. 95% of the advice you get might not work for you, but the 5% that does can be a complete game changer.
Why do you keep training?: Ultimately to feel better, both physically and mentally. The desire to improve performance and become more competitive helps with both.
Do you have short or long term goals that keep you focused?: I focus my goals more on new adventures and new experiences. I would like to do Western States, Hard Rock, Leadville 100 and UTMB someday, but haven’t won the lottery yet.
Is there a memorable piece of advice from your coach that really stuck with you?: Having intention on workouts. Backing off on easy days so that I can do harder days harder. Adding variability and strength training to avoid the body’s natural tendency towards adaptation that can lead to stagnant results.
