Author: f004r0n

Originally Posted: March 19, 2021

I’ll be honest up front: I did not compete in the triathlon at the Max Performance Season Opener. Instead, I opted for the duathlon, a run-bike-run course that took slightly longer to complete because running 2 miles generally takes longer than swimming a quarter of a mile. It was a decision that when I registered 10 weeks ago was a no-brainer. It took me until the start of last winter term to overcome my mental opposition to sticking my head underwater while swimming, and at the time putting myself in a deep-water start was just not something I was comfortable doing. I had run competitively for years, and while I wouldn’t drop the same times for a 2-mile or a 5k as I did in high school, I would feel at home on the runs.

From the second I got close to the transition area, I could tell the entire race atmosphere was different than it was at the races I was well-accustomed to. I suppose I have my first experience with body markings to thank for that. It felt really weird at the time to have two volunteers write on me with black Sharpies, but after it was done I really didn’t mind it and I felt like I was finally a part of the action that I had been looking forward to since I started training in the fall. Even a week after the race, amidst my pretty bad sunburn (because I forgot to put the sunscreen I brought with me in my transition bag) you can still quite distinctly see a “406” on my arm, a mark that I have a strange sort of pride to wear. I could also tell the atmosphere was different just by walking around and hearing other athletes talk to each other. I heard countless comments about the course and hopes people had for their own races, whether it be to just survive or see if they could set some personal bests.

In the middle of all this, I was trying not to have a panic attack about my first significant bike ride. Sure, I had done a couple around campus, but none ended before I failed to unclip from my pedals and fell over. In retrospect, I worried too much about what would happen if I was alone on the course and fell with no first aid kit on me to quickly treat any injuries. I definitely had the basic handling skills to get from point A to point B in one piece, but I had so little experience that I worried too much about being able to put every bit of advice I learned from my more experienced teammates together in a race. My downfall here was I didn’t trust my training as much as I should have, and it made me overthink the rest of my race.

But perhaps the most impactful part of the Season Opener for me as a first-timer was seeing the team energy and camaraderie in full swing. My anxieties surrounding the race quickly faded after our deafening team cheer of “Tri-Hard” and for the first time that whole race, I felt truly ready to go. Because I was in the duathlon, I had a head start over the wave of triathletes and I didn’t get to see many of them until I was already partly through the 5k run. When I saw them though, I definitely wasn’t prepared for every single one of them to cheer me on in some form or another, and while running alongside another athlete, I was proud to share that there were 45 Dartmouth triathletes all cheering each other on to the finish. I also found myself cheering on everyone I passed who was finishing up the bike, even if in the 5 seconds between seeing them and passing them I couldn’t remember their name. Having this sort of encouragement gave me the energy to keep going, and I forced myself to go faster so that once I finished I would be able to cheer on more teammates, matching the energy I felt they spent cheering me on.

(Special shoutout to fellow blogger Maya Khanna ’22 (middle) and Colin Goodbred ’21 (right) for being such awesome friends and for the motivation on the course. I don’t know if I’d be as good friends with these two as I am if it wasn’t for our involvement with tri team.)

Once I finished, I got to experience the emotions I heard other teammates talk about before: the sense of accomplishment for completing three events in one race, the gratitude for your body and strength holding up for the past hour, a genuine desire to congratulate those around you on the same accomplishments, and probably a lot more. For triathletes, winning is secondary to putting up a good performance, and even though I did get a pretty cool hat for winning my duathlon age group, I was more impressed by my ability to keep up with a bunch of athletes double my age with probably several more years of experience training and racing than I had. It gave me hope that I definitely didn’t have at the start of the race and made me far more confident in what I could do moving forward; all I need to do is put in the training.

I’m definitely looking forward to finishing my first tri in the fall. Not just because I felt like I could probably have done a tri at the Season Opener, but to continue to involve myself with the team spirit and energy I felt at the race. I had never felt more inspired to see the training everyone put in every day pay off and I felt ready to get back out there and continue improving in every way I could. But for next time I know now to trust my training more, that I’ll have the amazing Dartmouth triathlon community cheering me on from start to finish, and of course to pack my sunscreen in my transition bag.

About the Author

Connor Spencer is a ’22 from the northwest corner of Connecticut. Connor is interested in a double major in computer science and mathematics. Connor loves going on long runs with friends and is really excited to travel to Stockholm this summer to participate in a mathematics research program there.

Originally Posted: March 19, 2021

Every fall term, the Dartmouth Triathlon Team holds a team meeting to introduce people to the club and to everyone that helps keep the team running (and swimming and biking). Although this year we'll have to settle for a virtual meeting due to COVID-19 precautions, we interviewed this year's three captains to get to know them a bit better: Colin Goodbred '21 (far right in picture below), Hannah Lang '21 (second from left), and Jackson Danis '21 (third from right).

Q: What is your name and year? What are your pronouns? Where are you from and what are you majoring/minoring in at Dartmouth?

Colin: I'm Colin (he/him/his), a '21 from Tennessee - definitely a multi-day bike ride from campus. I'm majoring in Quantitative Social Science, focusing on science policy with a minor in Philosophy.

Hannah: Hannah ‘21, she/her/hers. I’m from Grantham, NH (a 1.5 hour bike ride from campus!). I’m majoring in Quantitative Social Science with a focus on public health and I am minoring in Middle Eastern Studies (if I get my act together and finish the last class I need…)

Jackson: Jackson (he/him/his). I’m a ‘21 from Boylston, Massachusetts. I’m an engineering major, concentrating in Civil and Environmental disciplines, and I’m getting my BE so I’ll be around for two more years.

Q: When did you join the Dartmouth Triathlon Team, and how has being on the team been an impactful part of your Dartmouth experience?

Colin: I decided on a whim that I wanted to learn how to run and ended up joining Dartmouth Triathlon my sophomore fall. I had never considered myself an athletic person and majorly struggled to keep up early on, but the community was incredibly supportive and there was always someone willing to accompany me on really slow runs, teach me how to not tip over when clipping in on my bike, and offer tips on my horrific swimming form. Two years later, I consider being a triathlete a major part of my identity and can't imagine what I would do without the training and community I've found on the team!

Hannah: I joined the tri team freshman fall. Everyone was so nice and welcoming, and it was the first place I felt comfortable at Dartmouth. Since then, it has been a huge part of my Dartmouth experience. One thing that I love about the team is how many different things people are interested in. I can go on a run with someone on the team and hear all about their engineering project or an awesome hike they went on– or, I can pull out my math problem set at team dinner and get someone to help me.

Jackson: I actually joined the team before freshman year (kinda)! I was a cross country and track runner in high school, and I was looking for some way to continue doing endurance sports in college. When I went to Dimensions, the team had an open practice, so I went to check it out, and I ended up finding one of my favorite Dartmouth communities. Since then, the team has been the source of many of my closest friendships and has been a great way to stay healthy and have fun. We’re an academically-motivated group of people who love to work hard at practice and in class, and my teammates inspire me every day.

Q: Outside of being part of our outstanding captain roster this year, what other roles have you filled as Tri Team leaders in previous years?

Colin: My first role as an exec was primarily working with Hannah as a race planner. In addition, I've also been finance chair, practice leader, safety officer, and of course, a (hopefully) valuable team member!

Hannah: I’ve been on the exec board since freshman spring, so there are quite a few: secretary, equipment chair, race planner, practice leader, safety officer (and I’m probably missing some!) I also helped write our current mission statement and helped update the active member requirements.

Jackson: I’ve served as equipment chair, overseeing the acquisition of a lot of our team gear (13 bikes and over two dozen wetsuits, as well as a ton of other gear that team members can use for free!) and I also continue to serve as a practice leader and safety officer.

Q: Outside of practicing with the Tri Team, what else can we find you doing on campus?

Colin: I like to do a bit of everything. I enjoy dancing with the Dartmouth Dance Ensemble (I like to say I'm very fast for a dancer and very flexible for a triathlete). Academically, I have enjoyed being involved in research in engineering, psychology, and marine science, but I can't say I have done a very good job narrowing down my future career there. I have also been involved with OPAL, the Learning Fellows program, and the DOC.

Hannah: I spend a lot of time hanging out on the green and studying with fellow tri team member Emily Martinez on FFB (the first floor of the library). I’m involved with a lot of global health work at Dartmouth, and I also work as a UGA. A decent amount of my time at Dartmouth has actually been spent off campus, primarily in Morocco, Kuwait, and Kosovo (you’ll hear me talking about these experiences frequently!).

Jackson: In addition to training and competing with the Tri Team, I also compete with the Club Ski Team and teach ski lessons at the Skiway. If you come to a show at the Hop, you might see me working as a house manager, usher, or production assistant. I’m also a brother of Zeta Psi.

Q: What is your go-to piece of flair and why?

Colin: I feel like animal onesies are a cliché by now, but I have to go with my giraffe onesie. It's so comfortable and I literally sleep in it during chilly winter nights in Hanover. Definitely not suggested as a workout outfit though…

Hannah: A tie between my glitter knock off adidas and my glitter tutu. Perfect for the dance floor or intervals on the track, they are easy additions to any look.

Jackson: I have a cutoff flannel that has become my go-to piece of flair and the centerpiece of my halloween costume every year - a ‘Lumberjack(son).” It’s definitely got big redneck vibes, but it’s a surprisingly practical piece of clothing for exercising in, too!

Q: If you could only eat one carbohydrate for the rest of your life, which one would you pick and why?

Colin: Oh my goodness, this is a challenging question. I feel like I'd have to go with the classic pasta because there are so many varieties and different ways to dress it up and serve it.

Hannah: This question is honestly mean. With so many delicious carbohydrates, how can I limit myself to just one? I guess I’ll be boring and go with bread– peanut butter toast is an essential part of my diet.

Jackson: I’m personally a big bagel guy. Foco has surprisingly good bagels, and that’s usually my go to breakfast on campus. I also like how versatile they can be - both sweet and savory, and useful for any meal of the day.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to any aspiring triathlete?

Colin: You can absolutely do those things that you thought were only for a certain type of people. If you have a ridiculous goal, whether that is running your first 5k, getting a triathlon PR, or finishing an IronMan, we have an amazing group of coaches, students leaders, and teammates eager to work with you to make it happen!

Hannah: Hopping off of Colin’s answer- ANYONE can be a triathlete! Being a triathlete does not necessarily mean that you are a super fast or super talented athlete. As long as you are excited about improving and like to be active, triathlon is the sport for you! Also- get a pair of bike shorts. It’s a worthwhile investment, I promise.

Jackson: Train hard and eat well! If you’re any kind of athlete trying a sprint distance race for the first time, you’ll probably be surprised at how doable it is! However, going from training one sport to three is a big jump, so keeping your body well fed and well rested is important. The typical image you see of a triathlete in the media is that of a consummate ectomorph, but there is no ‘best’ body type for triathlon. Training hard may or may not change how you look, but it will make you fitter and faster, and eating plenty of good food will allow you to train the way you want to.

Q: What are you most excited about in the upcoming academic year?

Colin: I’m not quite sure what to expect this fall but I am very excited that I got off the waitlist for fall in-person residence and that I’ll now be able to welcome the '24s in person!

Hannah: This fall I’ll be living with some other ‘21s (including Jackson!) at a house in the Berkshires. I’m really excited to do lots of biking, running, trail running, and hiking there. Beyond that, I’m looking forward to the spring when I will (hopefully) finally get to meet some of our new team members in person!

Jackson: I’m really excited to be living with Hannah and several of our other friends this fall. I’m also looking forward to getting back to campus this winter for some Tri training and skiing!

Originally Posted: March 18, 2021

This past fall triathlon season with the Dartmouth Triathlon Team was eventful to say the least! Our season began in September with a race the first weekend back to school at Buzzard’s Bay in Westport, MA. 20 members of our team raced, including three first timers! We all caravanned down the day before the race in two vans packed with bikes and gear and two more loaded with people. We rolled into the race early the next morning, blasting our favorite pump-up tunes and taking care of some last-minute flat tires before checking into transition. Despite the gigantic waves threatening to bury us under mountains of water, our team powered through, ending up with impressive finishes all around.

Sonia Rowley ’19 on the podium

Sonia Rowley ’19 was 2nd woman overall, leading the women’s team to a top spot on the podium.

The women’s team posing after their first place finish!

Following the race high, we returned to campus for our first week of practices, only to be overwhelmed by a storm of new members. Our first few practices of the term were absolutely packed, causing us to have to rearrange our practice schedule early on as our team doubled in size. The ‘21s’ enthusiasm was contagious as we tailored our practices to focus on technique and strength building, and we have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming them to our team!

Strength practice in the BEMA

We kicked off our list of social events this term with an early morning hike up Cardigan Mountain, feat. Coach Jeff and his dog, Dozer.

Coach Jeff and Dozer

Leaf peeping was definitely in order as the team bonded while breathing in the beautiful New England air and appreciating the brilliant fall foliage.

The ‘18s pose on top of Mt. Cardigan

Soon after, our team was thrilled to participate in the annual Homecoming parade as we piled into the back of Coach Jeff’s truck and waved to the crowds around Hanover. Our seniors and coaches then gathered on the steps of Dartmouth Hall to have our captains and coaches honored in the Dartmouth Night ceremony, followed by cheering on the ‘21s as they did dutifully ran twenty-one laps around the homecoming bonfire.

Seniors and coach Jim on the steps of Dartmouth Hall during Homecoming

Our next social event was my personal favorite and a well-established tri team tradition: new member wake ups! All the upperclassmen dressed up in their best flair to wake up the new members and welcome them to the team. After gathering from all corners of campus, we met up in Tom Dent cabin by the Connecticut River to enjoy freshly cooked breakfast from our amazing team captain, Katie Clayton ‘18, and crew.

Everyone dressed in flair post-breakfast

That same weekend, many members of our team, including all three coaches, participated in the CHAD half-marathon and 5k events to raise money for our local children’s hospital. After once again donning our (superhero themed) flair, we enjoyed a beautiful fall day for a race with many impressive performances, including Evan Wetzel ’19 taking 1st place overall in the 5k!

CHAD superheroes

We finished out the season with an exciting indoor triathlon hosted on campus, composed of a 700-yard swim in the pool, 9 miles on the spin bike, and a 3.4-mile outdoor run. For many of our new members, it was their first triathlon experience, and they did nothing but impress. From the cheers and encouragement all throughout the race, to all-out sprint photo finishes, to high-fives and hugs at the finish line, I couldn’t think of a better group of people to race and train with, and I can’t wait to see how everyone improves throughout the off-season!

The team prepares to start the first leg of the indoor triathlon

All in all, we couldn’t be happier with the results of this season. With so many new members and exciting events in the works, I can’t wait to see what next term holds for the tri team!

Team brunch following the indoor tri.

SBR,

Matt

About the Author

Matthew Goff ’18 from Hanover, NH, is a Neuroscience major and Anthropology of Global Health minor on the pre-med track. When not training for triathlons, he loves to play cello, ice hockey, explore the outdoors with family and friends, and perfect his pre-race playlist and dance moves.