Louisiana based Jessica Demello was the top age grouper at Ironman Florida and the female who broke the tape in that race without pros. Until 2014 professional athletes have always participated in the race, but starting this year only age groupers compete there, and that worked out very well for Demello.

Slowtwitch: Thank you for your time Jessica.

Jessica Demello: It’s my pleasure.

ST: When you returned to work as an overall Ironman champion, did your co-workers kneel down and bow in front of you?

Jessica: Not at all because I wouldn’t allow it. I work with some pretty talented athletes so I just feel like I got to join the club. But I did have a year-long trash talk thread going with one co-worker who raced IMFL as well. Luckily, I was able to back up that trash talk.

ST: What exactly do you do for work?

Jessica: I work at a specialty running store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I’ve been working for the same company for ten years. They initially hired me when I was just a college party animal who was only seen running to the bar.

ST: Do you still run to the bar?

Jessica: Rarely ever. But I do enjoy a well-earned margarita or glass of wine.

ST: Your very first full Ironman was in 2011, also in Florida, and you grabbed a Kona slot. What kind of expectations did you have going in?

Jessica: Honestly, I was merely hoping to finish the race. I was self-coached and had only asked around to my training buddies what they had done for their IM training. I took what I thought sounded good for me and went with it. But heading into the race, I had no idea if I was overtrained, undertrained, or just clueless. I had a time goal I thought I could do assuming all went well but that time was about an hour slower than what I actually clocked.

ST: Did you do anything big leading up to the 2012 Kona event?

Jessica: I was already qualified and registered for the Boston Marathon so I started training for that in January. And then I decided to go melt my brain in Lubbock for Buffalo Springs 70.3 because I thought that would be good preparation for Kona.

ST: How well did Boston go for you and how many times have you raced there?

Jessica: Boston 2012 was crazy. Four days prior I was doing my pre race workouts in tights and long sleeves but race day was 90 degrees! It was my first time running Boston but hopefully 2016 will host some cooler temps.

ST: Talk about Kona 2012.

Jessica: Kona 2012 was really great. I had a decent race, but an unfortunate and irritated IT band three weeks out from the race had me worried if I could compete. So I went to Kona determined to do my best with the cards I had since maybe that would be my only chance to race on the Big Island.

ST: Well, how did it go?

Jessica: It was a kick in the pants honestly. I felt well prepared for the heat since it’s not much different than Louisiana. But that climb to Hawi was nuts and the wind was tougher than I expected. There’s little to no climbing here in Louisiana, or at least nothing compared to Hawi. The run was just damage control with the bum knee. But 10:36 and change was my overall time, which was good enough for 11th in AG that year. I was hoping for top 10.

ST: Then an annoying injury time out.

Jessica: Annoying is an understatement. I saw so many doctors, therapists, and chiropractors and no one could figure out what was causing my pain. So I took the entire year off to try and let my body heal.

ST: Are you well now?

Jessica: Finally, I’ve had an entire year injury and pain free. I credit most if not all of that to my increase in strength training and my magic hands massage therapist. I will definitely keep both of them in the rotation going into 2016.

ST: You raced IM CDA in 2014 but in the end missed the Kona slot by a spot. Were you at all surprised?

Jessica: Yes, I was. I knew I was in third place when I started the marathon. And I knew first and second place were pretty far in front. I thought my age group would have three slots but it didn’t turn out that way. I can’t say I was completely devastated. I wasn’t 100% ready for CDA and therefore would likely be as unprepared for Kona just three months later.

ST: Did you end up following the race online that year or were you busy training for the next attempt?

Jessica: I always follow Kona. It’s like my version of the Superbowl. I like to see different parts of the course and think about how I felt when I was there. And watching the pros race up close is always a treat.

ST: What races did you do leading up to Ironman Florida 2015?

Jessica: I did very little racing in 2015. I ran the Los Angeles marathon seeking a PR and another Boston QT, which was successful. But after that race in March, I completely shifted focus to Florida in November. I didn’t even consider doing a 70.3. I just wanted to use every free weekend to train and get stronger.

ST: What is your fastest marathon stand-alone time?

Jessica: 3:19 was my PR in Los Angeles this year. I know I’m capable of better but L.A., like Boston, was 90 degrees due to an unexpected heat wave that weekend. I didn’t execute the race as planned and let the uncontrollable control my race. Are we noticing a pattern? I seem to bring the heat to all of my races. Maybe Kona will have a blizzard blow through in 2016…

ST: You started as a runner, but where would you say your strengths are now?

Jessica: I would still say my strengths are in the run. But after Florida this year, I was overjoyed with my bike improvement. I went almost twenty minutes faster than 2011. Some of that can be credited to better equipment but I made the bike a priority this year. It was always my weakest link and now I have much more confidence there.

ST: Who has helped you with your bike fit?

Jessica: Bike fit! Wow, [that was] such a huge improvement. I worked closely with Robert Driskell in New Orleans, Louisiana. I'm going to see him in the next few weeks to have my road and CX bike fit as well. If you're in the area, look him up!

ST: Do you have a coach?

Jessica: Yes, Will Jones of 4th Dimension Fitness. And conveniently he’s also my fiancé. So I get a coaching discount.

ST: This year was the first year for IM Florida to not have a pro field. Did it matter to you?

Jessica: It didn’t matter to me, no. But it was pretty cool to know an age grouper would get to break the tape.

ST: What goals did you have going in?

Jessica: I had one goal, which was to break the ten hour mark.

ST: At what point in the race did you think, wow, I might have this?

Jessica: I went into T2 thinking I was in second place because I knew there was one girl in front of me on the bike at the turn around at mile 80. But then the volunteer told me she was at medic and I was the first to leave T2. That moment was a game changer. But I basically ran scared for 22 miles until I was told second and third were over fifteen minutes back. That’s when I knew I could win if I held on to my pace.

ST: Describe the emotion running down the finish chute and breaking that tape.

Jessica: It was so surreal. I mean, I’ve always wondered what that must feel like when I watch the pro races, and I’ve had the chance to break the tape in smaller local races, but that was truly exhilarating to be called an Ironman Champion!

ST: Who watched your dog while you raced?

Jessica: My dear friend Madeline who loves her as much as I do. But my friends on the course made a poster size photo of her face so I felt as if she was right there with me. I’m wondering how many people thought that was pretty weird…

ST: What is next for you?

Jessica: Well, technically my wedding in February but nothing on my race agenda until Boston in April. Maybe Boulder 70.3 in June, but if not, all my eggs are going in the Kona basket.

ST: So does that mean you can relax a little over the holidays or is it all wedding prep?

Jessica: I’m happy to have some time off, especially for the holidays. And wedding planning is a walk in the park compared to Ironman training. But honestly, I’ve got great family support who have been a huge help with wedding prep while I was busy training. So for them, Will and I are forever grateful.

ST: Is there anything else we should know?

Jessica: I’ve been pretty lucky in my Ironman journey. And none of it would be possible without the support from my family, Will, employers, teammates, and friends.

ST: We wish you a successful 2016 season, but first a wonderful wedding.

Jessica: Thank you, I wholeheartedly appreciate all the support from both home and afar!