Race announcer and active mom
Home base: Denver, CO
Family life: Married to Peter and mother to a 2 ½-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.
Work life: Race announcer, Emmy award-winning TV producer, spokesperson, host
Age: 36
Growing up in a family of academics, Ann Wessling’s love of sports was not understood or appreciated by her family. Her first half-marathon was the Dam to Dam in Des Moines, IA. Ann’s father dropped her off at the start line but refused to pick her up at the finish line; he couldn’t understand why someone would pay to run 13 miles. When she got home from the race, her dad made her mow the lawn — after running 13 miles. Undeterred, Ann’s enthusiasm for sports grew. Now, she travels across the country cheering on elite and weekend-warrior athletes as an announcer for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series®.
In high school, Ann swam and ran track. During college she would run seven to 10 miles a day for fun. After college, she ran races and participated in triathlons. Ann competed in her first 140.6-mile triathlon in 2010, the Grand Columbian Super Triathlon.
After sustaining a few major injuries and becoming a mother, Ann now finds ways to be active wherever she can fit it in. She walks with her kids every day, either to the grocery store or to their grandparents’ houses or just around the neighborhood. When she can find the time, she enjoys time at the gym to do yoga or to swim laps.
What’s your go-to gym workout?
“I love to swim. I swim at the outdoor gym pool when my husband can watch our kids. I’ll swim 2,000 to 3,000 yards depending on how much time I have.”
Who is an athlete that you look up to?
“Mirinda ‘Rinny’ Carfrae is a world champion triathlete that I look up to. She’s a kind, sweet person and a killer athlete. When I have a good run, I tell my husband it was a ‘Rinny’ run.”
What’s your favorite way to get your steps in?
“We’re active in all aspects of our life. For our honeymoon, my husband and I rode a tandem bike across Iowa in the annual RAGBRAI bicycle race.”
What’s your favorite race?
“My very first race was also my favorite — a half marathon called Dam to Dam. It was a beautiful day in May. The weather and scenery were perfect.”
Top 3 ideas to get your steps in:
- Play with your kids! Don’t be an observer. My daughter will do anything I do.
- Walk to the grocery store. If you have to drive, park at the back of the parking lot.
- Be active with your friends. They keep you accountable and it’s more fun.
QUICK TAKES
Favorite step tracker: Garmin fenix 5S Plus
Races you still want to do: Trans Tahoe Swim Relay, Ironman 70.3 Maine
Favorite spot to run: Turf soccer fields. They’re so springy and give you an extra boost of speed.
Favorite running shoe: Hoka
Favorite post-training snack: My daughter and I have a favorite snack she calls the “yellow smoothie.” It’s coconut milk, banana, scoop of peanut butter, and a plant-based protein powder. Delicious.
