Jennifer Meyer joined the club in 2003 and has been enjoying it ever since! Previously the club Vice President in 2005, Jennifer is happy to serve the club as a member at large this year (2023). Jennifer also serves the club as a coach sponsor through her business TriSmart Training Systems, LLC. Jennifer was the 1st coach sponsor to the club starting in 2006.
Jennifer fell in love with triathlon at her first race in 2002 and has raced over 100 triathlons of various distances since then. She started coaching in 2005 and it has been her full-time job ever since. Jennifer has coached 100s of athletes in short and long course triathlons and other endurance races. Jennifer has also coached high school and middle school Cross Country and Track at Westminster Christian Academy for the last 14 years and high school girls swimming at Parkway North High School for the last 10 years.
When/Where was your first triathlon?
Wood River, IL 2002. I lost my AG by 1 second and I never saw the girl until the awards – that was an eye opener! (because of course start is staggered as you enter the pool, but I had never raced that way before). They had an amazing food spread afterwards and I was hooked!
What is your favorite and least favorite gel flavor?
At first I liked chocolate and espresso gels now I think they’re too much. I like the fruity flavors now.
What is your favorite race?
I really enjoy training for and competing in the USAT National Championships in the Olympic and Sprint Distances. This race used to move around the Nation – 2 years per location. This race has taken me to Oregon, Alabama, Vermont and Louisiana, among other places.
In recent years it has been held repeatedly in downtown Milwaukee. The Milwaukee course is amazing with a partially closed bike course and wonderful Lake Michigan swim and run along the lake. Not nearly as hilly as it was in Oregon!
What is the most challenging moment you’ve had during a race?
I had a challenging moment years ago in Columbia, MO at the Max Trax Duathlon. My aerobars fell forward and were loose – I finished the bike, but it was hard to keep my hands/arms on the bars with them flopping around!
What is your favorite place in or around St. Louis to train?
I spend a lot of time at Creve Coeur Park because it is close to my house, but running at Queeny park sure is nice. Parkway North Track is always open so I’m there quite bit also. I know many tracks around the city are closed much of the time so I’m lucky the track closest to my house allows public use anytime.
What is the worst food you’ve tried in training or racing and why?
I remember the 1st time I tried the Hammer product Perpetuem. I thought it tasted like chaulk – ick. Many people had great success with the product and it was quite popular at that time, but it wasn’t for me.
What is your favorite thing about triathlon?
I really love to swim, bike and run so the training really makes me happy. Then, I LOVE to race. I like the feeling of pushing myself and racing others. AND in triathlon we get 5 races in 1 with swim, t1, bike, t2, and run!
What is the one piece of tri-geek gear you can’t live without?
Some kind of cream for the bike seat area! I biked too long at first without using it and now I NEVER bike without it. There are many brands that work. Some have menthol in them which I don’t like or understand, but I guess others like it! Aquaphor works best for racing because it sticks around through the swim :).
Tip for new (or veteran) triathletes?
Stay in the moment in training and racing. You can’t change what is already over and it doesn’t make sense to worry about what comes next. Focus on what you need to do NOW.
