Sorry to miss competing in the Florida Intimidator Triathlon with the team over spring break, I decided to enter a race with a still sillier name: the Tuckerman Inferno Pentathlon. “I’m a triathlete,” I thought. “I’d be great at any multisport race.” Right?
Samesies, but different. The Inferno is a medley of mostly uphill endurance events around New Hampshire’s White Mountains: an 8.3 mile run (with 800 feet of elevation gain), a 5.5-mile class II whitewater kayak down the Saco River, a 16-mile ride (with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain up to Pinkham Notch), a steep hike up Mount Washington (with another 2,500 feet of elevation), and finally, a 2.5-mile ski through a slalom course in the famous Tuckerman Ravine bowl and down the Sherburne Ski Trail to the finish line.
Let’s just say that swimming is actually not at all transferable to whitewater kayaking, and that I couldn’t walk down stairs for the next three days.
All the same, I felt on top of the world after the race. The endorphins and caffeinated race gels might have contributed to my elation, but so did an immense feeling of gratitude for the teammates and coaches that made it possible for me to compete. Training for this event alone would have been miserable; I can’t be more thankful for the teammates who volunteered to go on extra runs with me after spin practice this winter, and who commiserated during a 3-hour trainer session in the infamous “Pain Cave.”
Coach Jim was also a massive help. I train for Olympic-distance triathlons, so this 5-hour endeavor was by far my longest race effort. A couple weeks before the big day, Coach Jim talked me through a fueling plan. I’d never eaten during a race before, but any excuse to shovel down more nut-butter-filled Clif bars is a win in my book! While I avoided “bonking” during the race, a severe calorie deficit definitely enhanced my post-race fueling experience. I remember pronouncing an egg sandwich “absolutely godly.”
Finally, when my friends ask me about the race, I tell them that the best part of the weekend was all the quality time with former Tri Team captain Sonia Rowley. It takes a true friend to suffer through a 4:45am race-day wakeup in a cabin in the woods, post-hole through a mile of snow to the kayak put-in, spend 30 minutes figuring out how to fasten said kayak to the roof of my Subaru, and cheer me on at each and every transition. Sonia’s company was just what I needed on that last hiking leg, and seeing the wonder in her face when we made it to the snowy bowl reminded me why I love these sports. Competition is exciting, but it’s really about the journey, the scenery, and the friendships. Many of my most blissed-out moments at Dartmouth have involved shenanigans with Sonia and other members of the triathlon team, and I couldn’t be more grateful for a community with a sense of adventure.
About the Author
Catherine Rocchi is a tri team ’19 studying Environmental Studies and Anthropology. She’s passionate about climate justice, fossil fuel divestment, and Lou’s sweet potato hash.
Photo Credit: Friends of Tuckerman Ravine