Jennifer Cutkomp, RN
Mississippi Valley Surgery Center
Age: 36
Hometown: Davenport, IA
Sport: Triathalons
Jennifer is a relative newcomer to long-distance cycling and triathalons. She recently helped her team raise $6,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training by biking 100 miles in Lake Tahoe. Jen shares her journey into swimming, running and cycling.
I move because….well let’s face it, I don’t come from the thinnest genetics! I inherited the traits from my father’s family. My two sisters received my mother’s side. In the end it means I have to work much harder to stay in shape. I have always battled my weight for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t until I was in my early twenties that I finally got a hold of it. I started just walking a few miles after work or riding on the bike path. Now, in my thirties, I have found the most exciting ways to stay active.
People ask me all the time about swimming in open water. At the age of 4, I was told to jump in and swim to my dad. I have never been afraid of water and swimming came natural to me. I can also remember the day I learned how to ride a bike, my first taste of freedom! It was so liberating to ride your bike around the neighborhood by yourself.
Now running, that was one thing I definitely was not good at. I have always envied runners. How were they able to run so long without stopping? I found out that I could do it, with lots of practice. I still wouldn’t say that I love it, but it’s the last part of triathlon. So I have learned to respect it. There is also something to the “runners high.” What a wonderful feeling of accomplishment after a long run! After doing triathlons for five years, I am more addicted than ever. It is probably one of the only sports that all participants are supporting each other during the race. I am so happy to be part of the triathlon community!
Last summer, I was honored to join Team In Training, an organization fundraising for Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. I raised the money, they trained me to do a century ride (that’s 100 miles) around Lake Tahoe. Meeting the little girl who recovered from leukemia was enough for me to join the fight! It was an experience I would love to do again.
Why do you move? Share your inspirational story to fitness with us at admin@qchealthnews.com or post your story to our Facebook page. We’ll spotlight a different Quad Citian every two weeks.
