Athlete Spotlight: Jared Howell

Every so often I like to spotlight one of my athletes. I like to brag on them; I like to show the world how hard-working they are. They are mom’s, business owners, medical care professionals, and the list goes on. They have full lives, and still find the time to excel in the sport that is triathlon. It’s been a minute since I have done a traditional Athlete Spotlight post so I’m very excited to get to it!

Meet Jared Howell. Jared has been with me for just over a year now and he is one of the nicest guys I know. Jared runs a business, has an energetic young son, and a loving wife. He is always smiling, enthusiastic, and eager to learn and work through the process of training for triathlon. It’s been such a pleasure to coach Jared in the last year. He’s learned so much in a short amount of time. The best part is the journey is really just beginning for him. I’m so excited to see what the future holds for him in this sport. So, I’ll let him take the story from here.

Stats:

• Name: Jared Howell

• Sport: Triathlon

• Hometown: Clewiston, FL

• Age Group: 30-34

• Number of Years Competing: 1

• Highlights (so far!):

  • 1st place Sand Squirrel Duathlon

  • 1st place AG Loggerhead Triathlon

  • Qualified (and raced) Age Group Nationals

  • Sub 5 hour 70.3 at Augusta 70.3

  • IMFL Finisher

His Story:

Growing up Jared was into sports in general and motocross. As a teen he was a Pro-Am ATV Motocross Racer! Jared also ran in high school but stopped in college.

He became interested in triathlon when he picked up running again post college. He also had a friend that was really into mountain biking, so he bought a Santa Cruz mountain bike and started hitting the trails as well. He found he loved running and riding his mountain bike. This sparked him to look for races. He found an off-road duathlon and signed up and ended up winning the race!

Right around that same time, a person he met through work had been doing 70.3 and full distance triathlon. This inspired Jared to find and buy a triathlon bike and sign up for a sprint race. The two of them just raced together at Ironman Florida!

Going forward Jared has big goals in triathlon that include qualifying for 70.3 World Champs and winning his Age Group at a larger race such as the prestigious St. Anthony’s Triathlon.

When he is not training, he is cheering on his favorite Florida Gators (Go Gators!), spending time with his awesome wife, Paige, and their amazing son Rhett.

Up next, and last for the season, is IM 70.3 Haines City on Dec. 11th. Join me in wishing him Good Luck!