Jake Hartsoch

This month, we tag along with Nordic Ski Racer / Dad / Hubby / Software Developer Jake Hartsoch…

Q : Jake, you’re a top local Nordic ski racer, I’ve seen you finishing at the front of the pack in running races, and I know you’re also no slouch on a bike. Give us some context for your athleticism and fill us in on where your true passion lies.

A: I grew up climbing and skiing in Montana and didn’t discover competitive athletics until late in life. On a whim, I joined the cross country team at Gonzaga University. It’s been a long and rewarding road, and I love anything fast and difficult in the mountains. My athletic passions are seasonal these days: skiing in the winter, running in the spring, and cycling and the great local triathlons in the summer. Fall is usually reserved for Beth’s cyclocross campaign.

Q : In racing, Jake, challenge and reward are usually directly proportional. In your profession, tell us what defines a challenging day at work, and are those days also the most rewarding?

A: Certainly I get the most satisfaction from the toughest problems. My challenging days might involve optimizing a gps tracking algorithm, troubleshooting a problem on a server somewhere, or collaborating with a group of programmers in Taiwan. There’s also a fair bit of banging on problems without any resolution. Fast runs at lunch help.

Q : It’s been written that “Given a choice of employees, choose smart athletes.” If you were launching a start-up, would you follow this advice?

A: It think it’s good advice. Successful athletes have a desire to be the best and generally have a solid work ethic and good time management skills. I’d be careful to search out athletes who’s passion for their work matches their other interests.

Q : Finish these sentences…

A: If I had an extra day off each week, I’d… Get back to writing. It was my first love. I passed on a Master of Fine Arts program almost 13 years ago and went to work consulting for Microsoft instead. The path forks in the road…

If my wife Beth said, “Honey, we just got ten grand back on our taxes!” I’d head to the nearest… I’d love to say something romantic, but I’m a little risk averse. We’d probably max out our IRAs for the year and have some ice cream.

If I was awarded free food for a year at the restaurant of my choice, it’d be… Banditos hands down. It’s healthy, we can arrive by bike, and Gerry and Zoe rock!

Right now, today, if I was scheduled to run a marathon, I’d… Come up with an elaborate excuse. I wouldn’t want to disrespect the marathon by doing it without full and specific preparation.

One sport I don’t stand a chance beating Beth is… She once dropped me on a long, epic run up Mt. Constitution in the rain. It was a beautiful thing. She’s always been a versatile and talented little fireball.

If I could choose one person to be a nanny in our house and have an influence on Quinn and our new baby Nolan, it’d be… Our active and well-traveled midwife, Winni McNamara. She’s world class.

What Bellingham seriously needs is… I’ll be selfish on this one. Mt Baker needs a real Nordic trail system. It’s an American tragedy.

Q : Jake, like it or not, Extreme Makeover just called and it turns out you guys “won” a complete home makeover. Give us the outline of what transformations you’d make to your Columbia-neighborhood home.

A: Well, no tear-downs, and Ty has to get his supplies from the ReStore. If he’s still on board, we’d love a new garage and a well-designed remodel that keeps us under 1400 sq ft. Small is the new black.

Q : At the end of the day, what’s it really all about, Jake?

A: “Go, find balance.” -Mr. Miagi

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