MINI FEATURE | Jessica Broderick: Q+A to celebrate one year as a Boulder Underground athlete
Jessica Broderick at the “Manhattan” track in Boulder, Colorado.
Jessica Broderick went to college here in Boulder from 2009-2012. She was as a professional triathlete from 2014-2018. She moved back to Boulder at the beginning of 2019 and joined Boulder Underground in late summer.
She coaches with @foreverendurance and Denver Hilltoppers.
How did you find the group?
I have been in a lot of training environments and I was pleasantly surprised at how healthy and balanced this one is. I love that we all are competitive, yet supportive, and that we all want to achieve our “big dreams,” but have other parts of who we are, too. I think my favorite thing about the group is how much fun we have- I used to think that fitness and fun couldn’t go together, but I was so wrong. I think we all find a great balance of being selectively intense and focused, with being total goofballs. We all keep getting faster, so I think it works.
What was on your mind before you met with us for the first time?
For me, sport has changed a lot. I used to race professionally and I was trying to make an Olympic team. Now, I just want to have fun, be social, and if I happen to run fast, then that’s cool. Before meeting the crew, I was just hopeful that I would meet a group of likeminded individuals, and that this group could become a family.
What were your expectations?
I didn’t really have any expectations. I approached this journey with an open mind and I think that has been the most beautiful part of it.
How do you like being coached by Matt?
Matt is a really amazing coach. He has this way of making you feel calm and relaxed in pursuit of things that can be scary. He encourages us to dream big, believes in our abilities, and truly supports us as human beings first. As a coach myself, I admire Matt and his approach to coaching the athletes at Boulder Underground. He has created a really special environment- one that is welcoming, nurturing and allows us to become the best version of ourselves. I like that he challenges us to not only become better runners, but become better humans along the way. In the end, we will be the best runners we can be when we are the best humans we can be. Matt gets that and applies that in his coaching methods.
What’s your favorite part of being in the group?
I love how different we are, but how united we feel. We have different PR’s, different strengths, different goals, but we all just love running and that shines through in the overall vibe. I genuinely hate Tuesdays and Wednesdays, because it is the longest stretch during the week without seeing everyone. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning when I wake up for our harder days, because I get to run with a bunch of people that love it as much as I do.
What growth have you seen in the last year?
A lot of growth for me has been on a personal level. Transitioning from my athletic career in triathlon was pretty difficult, and finding BU has been a blessing on so many levels. I was nervous to move on from sport as a career, but I am happier than I have ever been. A big part of that is the unconditional support from the BU family, and finding a place where I can be myself and know that is enough.
Jessica at a Boulder Underground practice.
What has been challenging?
I was a little upset when I didn’t qualify for trials at CIM in December. That feeling was very short-lived, because I was SO proud of what I did achieve. My journey with long distance running is just beginning, so I am really excited for everything ahead. My time with BU has been amazing otherwise- some of the early morning alarms have been challenging, but it’s all good!
What are you looking forward to over the next months and year?
It has been a really weird year with COVID, so I don’t have anything specific on the race calendar that I am looking forward to. This time away from racing has made me realize just how much I love the process, so I am fully engaged in continuing to show up, work hard, be there for my teammates, smile, laugh and enjoy everything I am doing with running. When races come around, I will be really excited to toe the line again.
What do you have to say about training with all of us women?
Women rule the world. Haha….I love being a part of a fierce, female squad. With the right attitude and perspective, we only make each other better. I am so grateful for that.
You can follow Jessica and her running stories on Instagram @jessebroderick.