October Health Hero:  Jackie Phillips

"Set a goal and go for it"

Jackie Phillips is a graphic designer for DOT working out of King Street. Jackie’s neighbor has spent the last few years focusing on health and moving move. For several years, she’d been asking Jackie to work out with her, to walk and run and compete in events. Each time, Jackie politely declined. Last year, Jackie’s mom moved closer to Jackie so they saw each other more often. Jackie could see more clearly how not moving was impacting her mother’s health. Jackie turned 50 last year and decided it was time to make the commitment, to herself, to start moving more.

Jackie signed up to work out with her neighbor, Judy, and Judy’s training coach. They started walking on a track, and competing in walking/running events throughout the summer. Jackie took the stairs at work, at first just getting off the elevator one flight short of her floor and walking up, gradually increasing the number of flights as she got stronger.

In April, Jackie’s training coach challenged her to try something new. She urged her to sign up for the Trek Women’s triathlon and compete as part of a team with Judy (who would run) and Monica (who would swim). That left the bike leg. Jackie owned a bike but hadn’t ridden since high school. Working with her trainer, Jackie completed the triathlon September 20^th. Here’s her story:

“All four goals were achieved. I had fun, I didn’t hurt myself or anyone else, and I finished! The bonus was that I made it up Day Street (the steep road with a series of right angle turns that transitions riders from Lake Washington BLVD to the I-90 express lanes) without having to get off my bike!! The ride was a challenge. I’ve never ridden that hard, for that long, with so many long inclines, without stopping. A couple of times some monkeys climbed on my back for a little ride, but I managed to get rid of “Fear” and “Anxiety” with the help of some positive self talk.

It was inspiring to see so many women of all ages, shapes, and levels of fitness giving it their all. And the women were so encouraging. Everyone said kind, encouraging words as we passed each other. I quickly learned to “pay it forward” when I passed someone and in doing so, I felt physically better. There were some amazing athletes in this competition, and it was fun to watch them be so determined, and so smooth, and so confident. Oh yeah, and so FAST!

As we were walking away from the Trek Triathlon, Monica, the swimmer on our team, asked me if I had “a plan.” I told her we were thinking about going to the High Spot for breakfast. She looked at me with this funny, wry smile and said “No, I mean when’s our next ride.”

With the biggest, proudest, teeth-covered-with-braces smile on my face, I said “How about Wednesday after work?”

As the saying goes, “Life is good.”