The Pursuit of Happiness
Jenny Wimmer: Racing toward a goal
By Meagan Parrish
Photographed by David Watkins
One year ago, September 2009, Jenny Wimmer was competing in sporting’s ultimate race: the Ironman. A grueling, day-long race that begins at dawn, competitors must swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and then run 26.2 miles. To be an official Ironman finisher, you must cross the finish line before midnight. Wimmer crossed just 17 minutes later.
Even as the official cut-off time came and went, Wimmer soldiered on. She was determined to complete what, for her, was both a physical and emotional journey to the finish.
Five years ago, the Janesville nurse would have been floored if you told her she’d one day complete the Wisconsin Ironman Triathlon. Weighing nearly 350 pounds, she had long ago abandoned the enjoyment of fitness activities. Like so many women, personal pursuits quietly slipped to the wayside as children, work and duties at home took over.
The moment Wimmer realized that she had been in denial—both of her health and of her love of being active—came shortly after a trip. The proof was in a picture.
“I was always on the heavier side. Then I had babies and just didn’t focus on my own health,” she explains. “It spiraled for a while. It’s easy to kid yourself into thinking it’s not as bad as it really is. Then I went on vacation. When I got some pictures back, I thought ‘wow’—you just can’t deny what the picture says.”
Realizing how out of touch with her body and her personal happiness she had become, Wimmer began the difficult journey of weight loss—instituting a healthy diet and working with a personal trainer. Within a year, she saw 185 pounds disappear.
Even more remarkable—and perhaps unexpected—was the change Wimmer felt within.
“It was a confidence boost,” Wimmer says, describing the transformation. “Everything became easier. I [became] more outgoing. When I was heavy, I wasn’t real adventurous. [Losing weight] changed my mindset. It wasn’t about why can’t I do it—it’s about why not try?”
Not only more willing to step outside of her comfort zone, the physical transformation also rebalanced Wimmer’s priorities.
“I used to let things stress me out more than I do now. I didn’t really have an outlet for decompressing. I worried about a lot more superficial things—like that my house was spotless and my kids were perfect and that I was a perfect den mother,” Wimmer admits.
And now? “This is what’s important to me: my family, friends, health and my pets,” she says honestly. ”If my toilet doesn’t get scrubbed, that’s OK.”
When Wimmer needs an outlet, a safe place to let go of her inner dialogue, she writes on her blog. After following the blogs of other athletes and people documenting their weight-loss journeys, Wimmer decided to give blogging a try. Ultimately, Wimmer’s blog has helped her weave a support network of both athletes and friends that stretch from Wisconsin to Mexico.
“I found a community of people in similar circumstances. It’s motivational knowing that someone is out there paying attention to what you are doing and that someone holds me accountable…to confront that little voice that sits on your shoulder and says you can’t,” she explains.
To date, Wimmer continues to train in running, cycling and swimming on a regular basis and stays motivated by competing in multiple races a year. Her preferred workout is a bike ride along the back roads of rural Wisconsin with her husband—who has also lost a significant amount of weight and competed in myriad races—or a group of friends. For her, the internal happiness and peace she finds from a workout is all about maintaining a balance.
“[I do have to] make sure that it’s fun,” she admits. “If I feel like I’m doing too much, I back off.”
This year, both she and her husband will try again—tackling Ironman with one goal: Not to break records or finish first, but to to be an “official” Ironman finisher. Wimmer has found happiness in racing against herself.
“I never thought I’d be here,” she admits. “It just seemed too big. It seemed like too big a goal. But you can do anything you want. If it’s something big, you just have to eat the elephant one bite at a time.”
Hair and makeup by Katy Polzin of Anasazi Salon in Janesville.