Dirt in your skirt blog

Dirt in Your Skirt Ambassador – Jackie Rust

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Margaret Schlachter

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 fourth Dirt in Your Skirt Ambassador, Jackie Rust.

Jackie Rust

Age: 31

Height: 5’8″

Hometown: Aubrey, TX

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

About Jackie in her own words: “I am a very normal person and Mom during the week. I wake up early to get in a good cardio workout before my family even notices I’m gone. Then I squeeze in some resistance training anywhere I can fit it in during the day. I like to include my family with my training. We do a lot of biking together and my son loves to do the kid’s runs! On the weekends my alter-ego comes out and I guess I turn into a Beast, or that is what they tell me anyhow.  I just enjoy the challenge that is provided by obstacle course racing and the people that I meet at each event!”

Jackie has quietly been making her name in obstacle course racing over the past year. In 2011 she made her podium debut at the Spartan Race World Championship in Glen Rose, Texas. Not only did she race the best that day, she also did it in a costume. Jackie has been known not only to set a blistering pace in races but also known for having fun while she races often in crazy costumes.

This past year she completed over fifty miles and 160 obstacle in World’s Toughest Mudder. Not only did she finish fifth for women but she also raised over $3500 dollars for quadruple ambutee Travis Mills through Wounded Wear. She had people pledge per lap completed at World’s Toughest Mudder and all the funds went directly to SSGT Travis Mills and his family. She plans to work on building this program for all participants in the 2013 race.

Jackie not only is one of the fastest racers on the Reebok Spartan Race series but she also earns her race entries by volunteering when not racing. Jackie not only takes care of her children but also is a part-time nanny for the last six years.

This year Jackie looks to take on in Reebok Spartan Races in Burnet, Texas; Utah; Mid-Atlantic; Glen Rose, Texas and finally the Ultra Beast in Vermont. She will also be heading back to World’s Toughest Mudder and build on her five laps from last year. She is a force to be reckoned with on the trails and we look forward to helping support her throughout the year! Watch out for Jackie at a future race she will come with her game face on.

A little from Jackie about her race season, “In April I am going to do my first Triathalon to celebrate my birthday, just a sprint to start. I promised myself I will do an Ironman for my 40th birthday, so I better get a jump on it! In May I will be in Burnet for the Spartan Sprint. If I can make a miracle happen I will be at the Beast in Utah again. July I am doing a Tri called X50, a total of 50 miles covered. August I will be at The Mid Atlantic Super. September is Vermont. October I am doing an Ultra called the Palo Duro Trail Run. November I’m doing WTM again and planning to double the amount of money I raised last year! Then Glen Rose in December!”