“Believe in your training, trust your ability, and go hard”
Jess Pettrow, born and raised in Cape Byron, Australia, made her Elite 15 debut in Amsterdam earlier this month. Jess received a roll-down spot only a week before the race, booked her flight, and finished sixth with a personal best of 1:02:23.
The Hybrid Letter chatted with Jess about burning out, hiring a coach, and the things she comes back to when a race gets tough.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The Hybrid Letter: What is your sporting background?
Jess Pettrow: I came from track and field. I started competing when I was five, and I did a wide range of events, not just running. I did multi-event heptathlons—hurdling, jumping, throwing, distance, sprinting, you name it.
My main event was the 800 meters. I loved middle distance but also enjoyed going down to the 400 meters. I wasn’t too keen on going up to the mile or 1500 meters, though.
THL: After your competitive school days, how did you continue with your fitness?
JP: I was born and raised in Australia, then moved to the U.S. for college, where I was recruited to run. I did cross country and track, but honestly, after college, I was burned out. The volume difference between Australia and the U.S. was huge, and running year-round with indoor track, outdoor track, and cross country left no time for rest.
After I finished competing, I stopped running. I’d hit the track once in a while to do sprints, but even the thought of a 10-20 minute run was unappealing. I got into CrossFit and strength training. Over time, I felt the urge to start running again, and discovering hybrid fitness pushed me to do more running.
THL: What was the hardest part about getting back into running and balancing strength training?
JP: When I got back into running, I fell into the old habits of interval training—hard and fast. Even my "easy" runs were just three miles or so, but I was like, “Go me!” Over time, I’ve been working on building up my running volume. Recently, I texted James Kelly to tell him I had just run 16K (10 miles), the longest run I’ve ever done. For people in this sport, that’s no big deal, but for me, it was a milestone.
THL: What have you enjoyed about getting into strength training?
JP: In college, we didn’t have strength and conditioning, so I didn’t get into it until afterward. I give all the credit to my husband—he pushed me into strength training. I love that when you start something new, you see quick progress if you stay consistent. Throwing around heavy weights is so satisfying. Having that strength background has been really helpful in Hyrox.
THL: What other hybrid competitions have you done?
JP: I’ve done Rally in the Valley, which was a big one for me. I also did Beggars and Thieves, which was more of a hybrid CrossFit competition, and a couple of Dekas.
Rally in the Valley was huge. The year I did it, Lauren Weeks, Meg Jacoby, and other big names were there. I actually beat them in a couple of events, which was wild since I wasn’t heavily into hybrid racing at that point. It was cool to see how I stacked up against those top athletes.
THL: How did you find Hyrox?
JP: After the Hybricon Games in California, I roomed with some of the other girls competing. They were all doing Hyrox Chicago that November and kept talking about it. I wasn’t super interested, but Lauren Rentala convinced me to give it a try. After I got home, she reached out again and said, “Take this ticket and come do it.” Three days before the race, I booked my flight and decided to see where I stood. I’m so thankful she pushed me into it.
THL: How did you feel after your first Hyrox race?
JP: It was a lot harder than I expected. Even with my running background, it’s very different. I’m almost embarrassed to say, but I spent around 22 minutes with my heart rate over 200 beats per minute. I was pushing the red line the whole time. It was tough, but so satisfying because it was such a challenge. It kicked my butt and fueled a fire to see how far I could take it.
THL: How has your training changed for Hyrox?
JP: I’ve added a lot more running and shifted to slower, more sustainable paces—more threshold work. I would sprint all day if I could, but Hyrox isn’t about that, so I’ve had to slow down and add volume.
THL: You work with James Kelly, another elite Hyrox althlete. What made you decide to get a coach?
JP: I wasn’t looking for a coach. My husband and I had been programming my training for the last three years. James reached out to me to join the Team Australia relay in Nice, and we clicked. I liked his approach to training. Everyone seems to want to be a Hyrox coach these days after running one race, but I have a degree in Exercise Science, so I’m very particular about who I trust with my fitness. After Nice, James took over my running training, and two months ago, I went full-time with him for all my training.
THL: How has it been having a coach?
JP: It’s great not having to worry about programming for myself. You think you’re pushing yourself, but are you really? Or are you doing too much? Handing that over to someone else and fully trusting their plan is really nice.
THL: Amsterdam was your first Elite 15 race. What differences did you notice?
JP: I was surprisingly calm, which shocked me. You’re on a bigger stage against the best, but I had always wanted to be there, so I didn’t feel much pressure.
Another big difference was the running—on a crowded course, you feel like you’re flying around people. But out there, I found myself in “no man’s land” at times, and it’s easy to step off the gas when you don’t have anyone around to gauge your speed. I think if I get the chance to race again in the Elite 15, I want to be much more present and really push myself to tap into those higher gears. It’s easy to back off when there’s no one around or when you don’t have a clear sense of your pace.
THL: Where do you go mentally during a race?
JP: Not to sound cliché, but I go back to the work I’ve put in to get there. I have a board that says, “Believe in your training, trust your ability, and go hard.” Belief and trust are huge, and they can take you far if you really lean into them.
THL: As a personal trainer, what’s your philosophy on rest, recovery, and training load?
JP: I like to train in a way that doesn’t require an off-season. I think of training as building blocks—no big peaks or valleys, just steady progress. To do that, you have to take your hard days hard and your easy days easy. I’m also a huge believer in the basics: eating well, getting enough calories, staying hydrated, and prioritizing sleep. It’s not uncommon for me to get 10 hours of sleep a night.
THL: What’s your plan for this season?
JP: I’m hovering around 16th on the board for Hong Kong, so if I get a roll-down, I’m going. I’ll aim to run a solid race and hopefully secure a spot in the Elite 15. If not, I’ll do other races later in the year to improve my time and get back into the top 15. That’s my main goal right now.
You can follow Jess on Instagram.
Podcast of the Week: When should you give up?
On the Farewell podcast, Clay Skipper, Brad Stulberg, and Steve Magness discuss a question that presents itself to many hybrid athletes: When is it time to give up? From the episode description:
Knowing when to quit, and when to push on, is as much an art as a science. Where is the line between normal fatigue or difficulty, and harmful discomfort? It's a question we all have to navigate in many different endeavors: work, creative pursuits, relationships, long-term projects, physical goals, and more. Quit too soon and you'll constantly fall short of your biggest ambitions—but sometimes hanging on can do as much as harm as good.
You can listen to their fascinating discussion HERE.
For more, check out a recent article in the New Yorker: Should You Just Give Up?
Hybrid Athlete of the Week: Katherine Fahsbender
Name: Katherine Fahsbender
Age: 25
Hometown: Morristown, NJ
When did you start hybrid racing? I started fully hybrid training about a year ago! My first hybrid race was in August last year, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve been a runner since 8th grade, but I also love lifting and functional training. Hybrid training is the perfect combination of all those things, and it’s gotten me into the best shape of my life.
Favorite race? Hyrox DC North American Championships, Mixed Doubles. My partner Michael and I trained hard for that race, and it was such a tight competition between us and another team, which made it super exciting. Our friends were there too, racing the same day, and being able to cheer them on and watch them accomplish their goals is a core memory for me. They also gave us the best support, following us around the course and cheering so loud — the best squad ever!
Race goal? My next race is Hyrox Chicago in the Women's Pro division. I do have a goal time, but it’s something I like to keep to myself and maybe tell a few close people. My main goal is not to get caught up in the competition. This sport is so mentally challenging, and if I can stay positive and focused on myself and what I’m doing, that’s a huge win for me.
Favorite station? Does running count as a station? If I have to choose, I think my favorite is wall balls. It’s a love/hate relationship. They’re so hard, but it’s the last station of the race, and the energy there is incredible. You’re physically dying alongside the other racers, but knowing you’re just minutes from the finish line is such a relief.
Least favorite station? The farmer’s carry, for sure. The last thing I want to do is lug around two heavy kettlebells for 200 meters. Sweaty hands, forearms burning, and this awkward speed walk. Not my favorite!
Things you wish you knew when you started racing? I wish I knew how powerful it is to believe in yourself and have a strong mindset. Your mind is such a big part of racing, maybe even more important than physical strength. In my first few races, I was always in my head—questioning if I’d trained enough and sizing up the competition. I’ve learned that the way you talk to yourself really impacts your performance. I’m proud of how I’ve shifted to focusing on positive thoughts instead of doubts. Your thoughts truly become your reality!