Skip to content

Author: f004ndz

Published on
 

This February 15th-28th, Dartmouth Club Sports is running the Club Sports Challenge: a two-week window during which teams raise as much money for their organizations as possible, with some additional fundraising incentives on the line. It’s an exciting event as it helps our young team grow and raises the vast majority of our annual budget. If you've donated in the past, are considering donating this year, or just want to see how this part of our team runs, we figured we'd discuss what exactly the Club Sports Challenge entails this year and what even just a little bit of support allows us to do.

This year, the Dartmouth Triathlon Team has three main goals:

  1. Raise $7,500 to support financial assistance, gear purchases, and race subsidies!
  2. Have 15 donors increase their gift from last year.
  3. Have 8 NEW donors during the challenge

We earn an additional $2800 if we reach all of our goals as well. We have done an amazing job of this in years past and are looking to continue our streak.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dartmouth becoming co-ed, this year’s program is themed FORevHER. Triathlon is proud of its history as a co-ed team. Since our founding, Dartmouth Triathlon has been full of amazing women, and next year we have all-female captains. This year, we will be highlighting two of our star graduates: Katie Clayton ‘18, and Sonia Rowley ‘19. Stay tuned throughout the challenge for updates on the incredible things these two have achieved during their tenures on the team and the short time after their graduation.

Club Sports has generously offered to match the first $25,000 raised by all teams on a first come, first serve basis. Whoever is able to coordinate their donations early in the challenge will end up taking the majority of that incentive. However, any amount of support we get, even if only a couple dollars, would allow us to accomplish more and continue to grow our team. Whether a donation be made entirely up-front or set up as a smaller recurring donation throughout the year, any donation would be appreciated and qualify toward the Club Sports Challenge goals if made during the Challenge period. As one of the newest and fastest-growing teams at Dartmouth, our gear supply has been outgrown by the size of the team, and with fewer races throughout the pandemic we've been using our fundraising money to buy new equipment. This increases accessibility and inclusivity on our team, which is essential to our mission. While the milestones below are in no way indicative of how the Dartmouth Triathlon Team would utilize a particular donation, we figured we would offer some insight into the more common items we purchase, and how support at any level really goes a long way in supporting our team.

  • $2 can buy a resistance band to get good glute workouts in virtual strength practice!
  • $10 can buy a high-visibility running vest to keep us safe during evening workouts!
  • $25 can cover financial assistance for one team member’s termly dues!
  • $50 can buy a new helmet to keep team members safe on bike rides!
  • $100 can buy a bike trainer for winter bike training!
  • $150 can buy a wetsuit to keep us warm for cold open-water swims!
  • $500 can buy us a new team bike to lend out for team members to get on the road!

With all that being said, if you're as excited about the Club Sports Challenge as we are and want to help the Triathlon Team out, we really appreciate it! The Club Sports Challenge runs from February 15-28, 2022, so aim to donate in that window so your support can help us earn bonus funding! If you'd like to donate to support the Dartmouth Triathlon Team, you can do so at [this link] from now until the 28th!

SBR,

The Exec Board

Published on

Every February, Dartmouth Club Sports runs the Club Sports Challenge: a two-week window during which teams have to raise as much money for their organizations as possible, with some additional fundraising incentives on the line. It's usually a hectic time for us as a team, but as a relatively young organization at Dartmouth it's an amazing opportunity to get extra funding for team activities. If you've donated in the past, are considering donating this year, or just want to see how this part of our team runs, we figured we'd discuss what exactly the Club Sports Challenge entails this year and what even just a little bit of support allows us to do.

This year, the Dartmouth Triathlon Team has three main goals:

  1. Raise $7,500 to support financial assistance, gear purchases, and race subsidies!
  2. Have 30 donors (50% of last year's total) increase their gift from last year.
  3. Have 25 young alumni (defined as having graduated from Dartmouth in the last 10 years) donate at least $50 this year.

We earn additional money if we reach all three of our goals as well. Last year, we were able to achieve this and received an extra $3,500 for doing so, and are hoping that this year we will be able to do the same.

Any amount of support we get, even if only a couple dollars, would allow us to accomplish more and continue to grow our team. Whether a donation be made entirely up-front or set up as a smaller recurring donation throughout the year, any donation would be appreciated and qualify toward the Club Sports Challenge goals if made during the Challenge period. As one of the newest and fastest-growing teams at Dartmouth, our gear supply has been outgrown by the size of the team, and with no races to look forward to in the foreseeable future we've been using our fundraising money to buy new equipment. This increases accessibility and inclusivity on our team, which is essential to our mission statement. While the milestones below are in no way indicative of how the Dartmouth Triathlon Team would utilize a particular donation, we figured we would offer some insight into the more common items we purchase, and how support at any level really goes a long way in supporting our team.

  • $2 can buy a resistance band to get good glute workouts in virtual strength practice!
  • $10 can buy a high-visibility running vest to keep us safe during evening workouts!
  • $25 can cover financial assistance for one team member’s termly dues!
  • $50 can buy a new helmet to keep team members safe on bike rides!
  • $100 can buy a bike trainer for winter bike training!
  • $150 can buy a wetsuit to keep us warm for cold open-water swims!
  • $500 can buy us a new team bike to lend out for team members to get on the road!

With all that being said, if you're as excited about the Club Sports Challenge as we are and want to help the Triathlon Team out, we really appreciate it! The Club Sports Challenge runs from February 15-28, 2021, so aim to donate in that window so your support can help us earn bonus funding! If you'd like to donate to support the Dartmouth Triathlon Team, you can do so at [this link] from now until the 28th!

SBR,

The Exec Board

Published on

Sharks, riptides, and 66 other athletes kicking me in the face. These were the things I was trying my hardest not to think about as I watched the collegiate men’s wave enter the water. But with my teammates by my side, including some amazing alums, I felt ready to jump into the salty waves in Buzzard’s Bay.

I am by no means a swimmer. Or a biker. At least that is what I thought coming out of high school. My time with the triathlon club has started to change that. I often lament to my teammates that I regret not joining the team my freshmen year, but instead waited until Sophomore spring to become a part of the group. But maybe I just wasn’t ready. Maybe I was obsessed with running… or afraid of swimming and biking. Whatever it was, I am thrilled and grateful to be a part of the team now. Buzzard’s Bay was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with teammates who had not been around this summer (my Dartmouth Sophomore Summer) and continue to get to know the ones that were around.

The weekend started in the parking lot behind Mass Row (Is this how all Dartmouth triathlon trips start?). I conquered the long trek from South Mass to the trailer, one bike, one helmet, and four bags in hand. Emily and I joined Andrea and Sonia in the truck, which was attached to the massive trailer holding all of our bikes. The ride down to Massachusetts was full of music, great conversation, the exchange of pump-up gifts and a slight mishap at a gas station -- a truck and a trailer need a lot of room, but no worries, Andrea and Sonia are pro trailer drivers. Hanging out with Andrea, Sonia, and Emily in the truck was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. I loved hearing about Emily’s study abroad in Beijing this summer, Andrea’s affinity for mediating group drama (a handy thing for a sorority leader), and Sonia’s experiences working at a Psych clinic. In no time, we were in Massachusetts, taking care of race registration, and on our way to the hotel.

After a bit of confusion with the seemingly overwhelmed hotel manager, the team found its way into the hotel’s breakfast room for a carbo-load pasta dinner from Olive Garden topped off with cookies made from our very own chef/captain, Carly Tymm. We finished off the night with a few board games and a team pre-race meeting before a respectable bedtime of 9:30pm. Before long, by 6:20am to be exact, we were up and out of the hotel, on our way to the beautiful Buzzard’s Bay. I can truly say that the website does not lie when it says it hosts the most scenic triathlon in Massachusetts. The gorgeous scenery and nice weather boded well for a good race.

Later that morning I was on the beach, watching the men’s wave enter the water. Soon after, it was my turn to flounder in with the other 66 neon pink swim caps, too disoriented to have any hope of avoiding the mess of limbs hacking through the waves. To make it through, I concentrated on breathing (and spitting out salt water), and strokes, occasionally stopping to look around and find the next buoy or shore. I swear, every time I paused to look up, the buoy or shore was in the opposite direction from where I thought it should have been. Nonetheless, I made it safely out of the water and immediately began stripping the wetsuit off.

For the rest of the race I was thankfully much more aware of my surroundings, happily enjoying the sandy hills, marshy landscape, and green shrubbery of Buzzard’s Bay. On the bike and then on the run, I enjoyed seeing teammates and exchanging cheers. I think I saw almost everyone on the bike, if you count catching Sonia beginning her run, a good few minutes in front of the rest of our collegiate girls wave. Reaching the run myself, I took off on wobbly legs and didn’t look back until I hit the last stretch along the ocean, alums and teammates cheering me on. When I passed the finish line, I was out of breath and panting, but I was also surprised it had all gone so quickly. When I used to race track races in high school, I was a nervous wreck whose greatest wish in the world was to be done with the race. It has been quite the opposite with triathlons so far. As much as I enjoy training with my teammates, learning how to swim fast and handle myself on a road bike, I truly love racing triathlons with the team. The two triathlons I have raced so far have been highlights of my Dartmouth experience, both for the chance to bond with my teammates and for the thrill I get from challenging myself athletically in a new way.

Racing at Buzzard’s Bay made me motivated and excited to begin training this Fall with the team. I can’t wait to train with the new 22’s and the old, but just as exciting, returning team members. I want to take the opportunity to thank Sonia, Tucker, and Carly (and all of the other execs) for all that they do for the team. It is clear to me that running this team takes an army’s worth of work and they do it with all smiles and a friendly attitude that makes this community so special. I also want to thank the rest of the triathlon team for welcoming me my sophomore spring. My time on this team has meant the world to me and I’m so excited to enjoy two more years of it.

SBR,

Megan

About the Author:

Megan is a ‘20 from California studying Biomedical Engineering. She loves long trail runs, baking extravagant birthday cakes with her two lovely sisters, and reading historical fiction novels on the flights back home.

Published on

This summer, I've been doing a consulting internship in Boston (classic Dartmouth) and have been loving every second of it. I'm living in the city by Fenway and making great new friendships with the other interns. I've been able to explore Boston and travel around New England, enjoying the amazing weather. I love working during the week and enjoying stress-free weekends. With only a couple weeks left of the summer, I've been feeling a little sad at its ending and not as excited to start senior year.

This past weekend, however, helped me get over this distance I've been feeling between myself and Dartmouth. At the beginning of the summer, a bunch of tri team friends agreed to do the Boston Triathlon. I had no excuse not to since I would be living in the city, so I signed up for the Sprint. Before I knew it, the day before the race had arrived. Meeting so many tri team members at packet pickup the day before got me extra excited for the race. I hadn't seen many of them in a while, and it was so comforting to be around my supportive teammates again.

Come to think of it, that's what sticks out to me about the whole weekend--the many examples of the supportiveness of the Dartmouth tri team. First, the day of packet pickup, I suddenly became very stressed about how I would get to the race from my apartment. I realized that for races during the normal school year, the tri team had amazing logistics support with large vans to get bikes and people to and from races. This time, I hadn't secured a ride yet, and I realized it could be tricky to get my bike and gear across the city on my own at 6am (of course I realize this the day before). But lucky for me, Catherine and Sarah volunteered time out of their race morning to swing by my apartment and bring me and my bike to the race. Even though we missed a turn, forgot Sarah's race bib, and arrived to the transition area with 5 minutes before it closed, going through the morning with two positive, supportive teammates kept my attitude right.

Second, seeing Brandt come out to cheer us on as we lined up on the beach was such a comforting surprise, and getting to try out the water with Abiah helped us prep for a good swim start. I haven't yet started a race without teammates by my side, and I don't want to figure out what that's like.

Third, during the loopy bike and run course of the sprint race, I passed by Catherine, Sarah, and Abiah multiple times, and we whooped and cheered each other on each time. I love the boost I get from seeing the Dartmouth tri suit whizz by.

Fourth, after the race was over, the teammates who did the Sprint were all tired, happy, and excited to change into some clean clothes before the awards. However, when we heard in the GroupMe that Matt was at the hospital after a bike crash during the Olympic race, we all immediately freaked out and wanted to go to the hospital right away. Of course, Sonia’s parents and Brandt were already there with him as he got stitches in his chin and were bringing him back to get his bike. This scary experience showed me the value of support that a team like ours brings in case something goes wrong during races. Seeing Matt show up after awards smiling and congratulating the rest of us on our races was heartwarming--he genuinely was happy for everyone else and not brought down by his randomly popped tire. He stayed positive and made sure to show us bloody pictures of his injury—ew!

Fifth and lastly, our teammates settled in together near the food tents and stage to watch all the team members who received awards for the race. Even though everyone was exhausted and could have left to get back to Dartmouth earlier to study for Monday midterms, we all waited together in the shade and cheered our hearts out as Sonia, Katie, and Jim got up to the podium as top placers in their age groups. I'm sure everyone else was jealous that we had such a rowdy team to support our champions.

I think you get the gist: the Dartmouth tri team is supportive as all get out. In addition, I'm happy to say that this past weekend at the Boston Triathlon has shown me the harmony that can exist between a post-grad working life and triathlons (hopefully I can continue doing them with some of the same awesome teammates). Though I need to figure out how to train correctly in a city, I felt myself improving in confidence and having a lot of fun during this race. I can’t wait for senior year and more triathlons with the supportive Dartmouth team I’m proud to be a part of.

SBR,

Erin

About the Author

Erin Connolly ('18) is an Econ major and Computer Science and French minor who manages the Tri team website. She loves traveling, reading, trying new restaurants, and spending as much time with friends and family as possible.

Published on

Anyone that knows me knows I love to swim. Swimming has always been my favorite way to workout, relax, think, and unwind. Some may tell you otherwise, but swimming is 100% the best of triathlon's three disciplines. So, when I was packing for my first term at college, I brought some of my swim gear with the hopes that I’d have the chance to swim in Dartmouth’s pool at Alumni Gymnasium. But alas, for all 10 weeks of my freshman fall, my swimsuit, swim cap, and goggles sat forlornly in my closet. Because of COVID guidelines, neither club teams nor individuals were able to access the pool. The Tri-Team runs, rides, and Halloween dress-up relay adventures more than made up for it, but…. I really missed the pool.

Over winter term, the folks of Dartmouth Tri that were on campus got just a little bit closer: they had in-person strength practices on the pool deck! I was living off campus in upper New Hampshire during winter term, so the closest I got to a swim was slip-n-sliding on a frozen lake. Fun, but…. I really, really missed the pool. However, strength on the pool deck sounded like a step in the right direction, so when I was packing up for spring term, I grabbed TWO swimsuits, TWO swim caps, and way too many goggles. Was I trying to manifest a return to the pool by packing like this? Perhaps. Did it work? I think so!

Fast forward to the third or so week of Spring term, when the Dartmouth Tri Team got just about the best SBR-related news possible…. Swim Practices were back. OH. YEAH!

Our first practice was scheduled for Tuesday night, and all of Tuesday, I kept breaking into a grin. Not only was I going to get back in the pool, but it was going to be with some of my best friends and teammates on the Dartmouth Tri Team, along with two of our wonderful coaches, Coach Jim and Coach Jeff. I couldn’t wait!

The time finally came. At 7:45, I walked onto the pool deck, inhaled that semi-suffocating but somehow glorious smell of chlorine, and couldn’t believe the day was finally here. I had really, really, really missed the pool! Our first practice was pretty relaxed, as everyone felt out the water a little bit and focused on technique. As Coach Jeff reminded me, it's pretty important to solidify good technique early in the season or after a long break before getting into high yardage. So, I worked on catch-up drill, getting a good early vertical forearm catch, rotating through my shoulders, and practicing Open Water sighting a little bit. Swim practices are definitely different than what I experienced in highschool, but thanks to the hard work of the coaches, all of our triathletes, and the club sports staff, we’re able to have a great time in the pool and work towards our goals one stroke at a time. I know some of the triathletes were also a little nervous starting out, but our coaches do a great job meeting everyone at their current ability and giving them as much guidance as they need!

Before I knew it, it was 9pm and practice was over! Our wonderful Social Chairs were hosting a Zoom Murder Mystery night, so we had to hurry back to our dorms, but before we left, I led a team breakdown. (I’m a firm believer that team practice is only as good as the cheer at the end 🙂 ) So I gave it a good “TRI-HARD on 3!” and as our cheer echoed through the natatorium, I couldn’t help but look around and be grateful for the wonderful people and experiences that I’ve found with Dartmouth Triathlon, even during this crazy year. Especially as we start to see a light at the end of this pandemic’s tunnel, I’m looking forward to many more miles, smiles, and freestyles with the Tri Team in the future!

The first swim practice of 21S, featuring from left to right: Katie Walther '24, Raif Olson '24, Wells Willett '24, Evelyn Hatem '24, and Eleanor Sullivan '24.

About the Author

Katie Walther is a '24 from Fort Wayne, Indiana, majoring in Anthropology on the Pre-Med Track. She grew up as a swimmer, but has always done a little running on the side and picked up cycling over quarantine! When not SBR’ing, you can find her hammocking in Pine Park, digging into a warm bowl of oatmeal from FOCO, or on shift with Dartmouth EMS!

Published on

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

Published on

We came up with a pretty wild idea while in the car back from the Buzzards’ Bay triathlon. Some combination of endorphins and too much saltwater made us think that biking nearly fifty miles to Rumney, New Hampshire (a world-famous sport climbing crag) and climbing as much as possible in one day sounded like a good challenge.

Two weeks later, early in the morning, we were pulling out of Collis with Dom, another convert, to embark on our adventure. To be honest, Russell was surprised that nobody had backed out yet. The morning was cold and foggy, we might have pushed the bike a bit much. We averaged nearly twenty miles per hour across the whole ride. (Catherine, for her part, was glad that Dom and Russell were too stubborn to give up pulling the entire way.) As we rode further north, the leaves slowly shifted from off-green near Hanover to deeper and deeper yellows and oranges. After twenty-five miles, after cresting a 1900-foot hill, we could see the whole Baker Valley in front of us, with Rattlesnake Mountain, our target, on the horizon. It was a satisfying downhill to the crag. Team captain Carly, on her way to a hike with friends, buzzed us in her outing club van and cheered us on.

We pulled into the crag just as our chauffeurs mountaineering club friends leading a beginner trip arrived with our climbing gear. The freshmen beginners’ eyes grew wide as they realized that we had biked instead of taking a hour-long van ride. Unfortunately, Russell and Dom packed light. They spent the entire day climbing in their biking bibs. After spending the morning further impressing the 22s by setting up their top ropes (and some 5.11s for good measure), we headed to spend the afternoon at Bonsai, a crag notorious for its steepness and requisite shoulder strength.

We woke up the next morning to that sort of proud, physical exhaustion. And a severe calorie deficit. (Russell managed to go through an entire package of Kind bars in under two days, and Catherine ate six separate meals on Sunday.) Everyone was so grateful to belong to a team so focused on overcoming challenges as a community.

About the Authors

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.

Russell Stewart is a ’20 on the team studying Chemical/Biochemical Engineering and Spanish. When he’s not TRI-ing or on related outdoor adventures, he loves to cook, read, and volunteer in combatting food deserts.

Published on

I’m a relative newcomer on the Dartmouth Tri Team, but despite that I have been around the block a few times. I did my first triathlon the summer before 8th grade, and since then I’ve taken part in races from sprints to Ironmans. A lot of friends have asked me how I got into triathlon, and to be honest I don’t really remember. My parents were always big on swimming, biking, running, and getting my sister Molly and me outdoors, but they never tried putting the three together.

With a new season comes new goals, and I’m excited to make a run at qualifying for the 2019 Ironman World Championship at this year’s Ironman Wisconsin, arguably the best full distance triathlon in the continental U.S. (If you don’t believe me feel free to check out the unbiased and irrefutable voters’ choice awards on the race website.)

If fall training were any indicator of how I’d do this season, I probably would have tried to go pro in the first few weeks of this year. But while my fitness appears to be on track with my goal and steadily improving, I’ll admit that the winter months have been more of a drain on my mental energy than I had hoped. I’ve tried to stay creative to keep the mental energy up. Steal a glance my way in the gym, and you’ll see I’m the one lip-syncing Panic! At The Disco on the treadmill like my life depends on it.

A lot of people wanted me to write a day in the life of an Ironman, and on that front I can say they’re sure to be disappointed. Yes, I usually exercise 2-3 times, but I also prioritize these workouts over arguably more important things, like schoolwork, socializing, and rest. I eat a horrendously erratic diet, and while it sometimes seems I could eat anything and not gain weight, I often feel like I’m not fueling properly for the task at hand.

No race I’ve done in the past should inform anyone’s opinion of me. As I’ve grown less impetuous in my racing decisions, I’ve slowly learned to stop taking accomplishments for granted. Sure, I train a lot, but I have more time to train than anyone I compete against, with the exception of professional triathletes. I may have finished a few Ironmans, but I’ve only done so with generous support and love of my parents, a luxury most people will never experience.

The “Ironman” is an ideal. It’s the parent who works full time, takes care of their kids, and still manages to go running in the early hours of the morning. It’s the people who overcome what they once thought impossible of themselves in order to do something great. It’s experiencing the inspiration of others in an attempt to inspire yourself, because you’re tougher than you think you are, and you can do more than you think you can.

After all, if you’re gonna tri, you might as well go all the way…

SBR,

Evan

About the Author

Evan Wetzel is a ‘19 from Waukesha, Wisconsin. He enjoys sunrise open water swims, days off from biking, and running between 5-20 minutes per mile.

Published on

Running is fun! Said no one ever? Noooo!!! With either a good playlist, nice company, or scenic views, it can be an enjoyable activity! Most people will disagree, but I’m a firm believer that running CAN be fun! I’ve loved it for as long as I can remember. My dad picked up casual jogging when I was about 5 after finding out he had hypercholesterolemia- fancy word for high cholesterol. His doctor recommended he pick up jogging, and as a little girl, I started going on runs around my neighborhood with him. Soon that fun pastime evolved to become more than a hobby. My school in Puerto Rico had a track team early in elementary school, so since the fourth grade I became a part of that. Once I moved to the mainland US, I stopped running competitively, but still enjoyed it on my own as a good workout and way to relax. I’ve found that even though sometimes going out for a run might seem tedious, I am guaranteed to feel happier, more relaxed, and more energized after the run.

When I got to Dartmouth this past fall, one of the most pleasant surprises was discovering all the beautiful running trails around campus. Now that I live in Florida, most of the running I do at home is on sidewalks around my neighborhood or sometimes by the beach. While I can’t complain about that, I will say that Dartmouth’s running trails are by far more enjoyable. I’ve LOVED running by Pine Park, the golf course, Mink Brook, down Main St and by the river, and of course RIP ROAD! With Tri-Team, I’ve been able to discover a ton of new routes and I know I always have good company to run with.

This past weekend, Tri-Team partnered up with the Dartmouth Running Team to host a Virtual 5K. Although I anticipated running the trail in Pine Park along with some of my Tri-Teammates, my parents surprised me with a visit for Mother’s Day, so I ended up spending the weekend in Boston with them and some friends. Finding myself in Boston, I was still committed to running the three miles I had signed up for. I don’t really know much about the city, so I figured I would map out a few streets I could run by, maybe along the water, and just give it my all! So, after a delicious milkshake from J.P. Lips, I headed back to my hotel, rested for a bit, and then put on my running clothes, tied my shoes, grabbed my Air Pods, and hit play to Boris Brejcha’s Tomorrowland set on Sound Cloud. Like I mentioned before, I am a firm believer that a good playlist is key to a good run. My dad and I share a profound love for house music, and Boris Brejcha is one of our favorite DJs. I listen to his same live set every time I go for a run, and it never fails to motivate me.

Running in Boston was super fun. The streets were quite busy, so I ran past a lot of pedestrians. The course I ended up choosing though, wasn’t hilly at all, a nice change from Hanover. I hadn’t really run a fast 5K in a while, since I usually go on longer, slow runs. In the end, I finished with a good time and right on the beat drop in Boris Brejcha’s set. A successful run.

(Two pictures of breezy, cloudy Boston that I took while running the 5K!)

I’m super grateful for Tri-Team for being such an active club on campus. Starting my freshman year in the middle of a pandemic, I was scared student organizations wouldn’t be as active. To my surprise, Triathlon was all the contrary. Since the fall, I’ve been able to go on countless runs, bike rides, and now in the Spring, swim practices. I love the supportive and welcoming community Tri-Team fosters, and I can’t wait to see us all grow (both physically and mentally) these next years.

About the Author

Tina is a ’24 from Boca Raton, Florida looking to major in Biology and French on the Pre-Med Track. Being originally from Puerto Rico, where she lived for fifteen years, Tina loves the tropical outdoors, and enjoys going to the beach, running (with a good playlist, of course), mountain biking with her dad and younger brother, and roller blading (a new skill she learned this past Winter). Although not extremely experienced with SBR-related activities, she is so excited to be a part of the Triathlon Team and looks forward to developing her skills during her next four years at Dartmouth.