Over the next two weeks are introducing the 2013 Dirt in Your Skirt Athlete Ambassadors. We received over 50 applications and narrowed it down to a team of eight amazing women. It was incredibly challenging and every applicant men and women would have been a great representation for Dirt in Your Skirt. Today we welcome the third Dirt in Your Skirt Ambassador, Jessica Featherstone.

Jessica Featherstone

Age: 31

Height: 5’3″

Hometown: Mason, OH

Sports of Choice: Obstacle Course Racing, Trail Running, CrossFit and Road Running

About Jessica in her own words: “I work for a software company doing communications and project management.  My husband and I have been married for a little over five years. We enjoy long rucks, mud runs and the occasional road race.  I have a Maine Coon cat and Chihuahua.  My dog and I enjoy doing long rucks around the city.  He’s tiny but mighty and been known to do rucks with me over 5 miles.  I did my first Tough Mudder in 2011 and this was pretty much my gateway into obstacle racing and GoRucks.  My challenge of choice is the GoRuck and I love the opportunities it gives to test myself physically and mentally.”

Jessica calls herself a middle of the packer, but she is one amazing woman. Here event of choice is a GORUCK. GORUCK’s are events created by former Green Berets and last anywhere from 12-16 hours and can cover distances over 25 miles in that time. They combine physical exercise as well as carrying heavy objects. All the while participants carry bricks in a backpack with the average weight of 40lbs for women the entire time. Women tend to be in the minority at these events however that doesn’t scare away Jessica.

Jessica likes to train on the trails and in the CrossFit box. However she has a unique addition to her training routine, belly dancing. She has been belly dancing for over ten years. A pretty unique skill. When she is not training or with her family she volunteers as a coach for Girls on the Run in Cincinnati. Girls on the Run works girls to get them active in running and promote positive self esteem. She is really excited to work with them this spring and fall.

This year Jessica will be taking on GORUCK challenges in Columbus, Dublin, OH, two back to back classes in Cincinnati, and the multi-day GORUCK Trek. She is also helping a group get through a Tough Mudder in Ohio. She recently completed the Disney Marathon, and Cupid’s Undie Run to raise money for charity. In addition she will be “rucking” the Flying Pig 3-Way. Where she will carry a heavy pack finishing a 10k, 5K and half-marathon races in two days this May.

We are looking forward to hearing her stories this year from all the GORUCK challenges and other endeavors she is up to this year. Jessica is definitely not one to step away from a challenge.