Skip to content

Tag: 2020

Published on

It should go without saying that this fall was a particularly interesting term, for a number of reasons. Fall is usually a pretty hectic time for our team, between welcoming a class of new members and organizing many fun activities (some tri-related, others not as much) for our members to enjoy throughout the term we tend to have more than enough on our hands. This fall presented its own share of challenges, since we still cannot meet in large enough numbers to do any of our team activities due to COVID-19, and races have been cancelled across the country. We've managed to adapt though, turning our practices into outdoor runs or rides, weekly Zoom strength sessions, and virtual events to be able to keep in touch with each other. We still haven't lost sight of team traditions, however. While we would have liked to hold our annual team flair breakfast this year, we kept with the tradition of taking some time to think about our goals for the year, both as triathletes and as students. See below for some of our members' goals:

Athletic Goals

  • Get back into shape (ride/run 3+ times/week)
  • Run a 50mi Ultra
  • Become more comfortable cycling and go on a 40 mile ride
  • Complete a triathlon!
  • Run my first half marathon and bike a century!
  • Get more confident on a bike (that is, if I can get on a bike again this year)!
  • Run a half marathon!
  • Keep myself motivated and fit even when I can't race or practice with the team as much
  • I really want to run my first marathon this year!
  • I want to gain more flexibility in my hamstrings and do more overall strength.
  • Getting strong enough to run a marathon in 2021
  • Learn how to preemptively cope with shin splints better!
  • To re-establish routine and reach pre-COVID levels of fitness.
  • Get outside for cold winter runs
  • Improving swimming leg of tri: speed, endurance, and open water sighting
  • Complete my first Ironman 70.3!

Life Goals

  • Rediscover a sense of confidence in online learning and focus on getting assignments done in a more timely manner
  • Finish characterizing a conserved epitope on Influenza B
  • Get outside my academic comfort zone
  • Take classes that I enjoy!
  • Just want to enjoy learning and getting a Dartmouth education!
  • Get as much out of Zoom classes as I can and also finish all my distributive requirements!
  • Get an A
  • Graduate! Honestly, I think that is a good enough goal for COVID times.
  • I would like to learn to like Engineering more
  • I want to finish my thesis!
  • Staying consistent with running and strength training
  • Find value in each term despite the limitations and challenges posed by a virtual education
  • To learn how to write essays in a college setting!
  • Get to know the '24s on tri team!
  • Gain a greater sense of what I want to study (ie. decide on major)
  • Get A's or A-'s in all of my classes

With fall classes coming to a close and the winter term (whatever it may look like) fast approaching, many of us are experiencing a complete change in our Dartmouth experience – whether this be a change in our surroundings, who we see everyday, or just in our routine. Still, we enjoy hearing our members' various goals and how they plan to make the most of the year, and look forward to doing as much as we can as a team!

SBR,

The 20F Triathlon Team

Published on

The string of disappointments started, as we all know, in early March. Those of us on campus watched our springs and summers pass by from our childhood homes, many hundreds or thousands of miles from the campus and people that we love. The ‘24s watched their senior semesters get cut short, their graduations move online (and overtaken by bromide-laden speeches that sound much like this introduction), and countless other opportunities ripped from underneath them. But we all adapted. Everyone adjusted to Zoom classes. We grew accustomed to scanning problem sets, syrup metaphors, working only a few feet from where we sleep, and seeing our friends through a 13-inch screen. Swimming, biking and running together in this environment is immensely difficult, so we adjusted to the one hour a week that many of us shared as a collective exercise opportunity: strength.

To the uneducated observer, we are simply standing in garages, backyards, and home gyms, blaring pop music as loud as our already overheated laptops will allow between occasional pushups. For me, however, it was always a highlight of my week, in part because it was a bit of respite from sitting at my desk working, but mostly because I missed the team. In the spring term, strength was a chance for me to see the seniors and get in a good workout. Over the summer, organizing the practices was placed in my hands, and we had some fun opportunities to mix in some workout challenges. However, with the 20’s leaving and our motivation seeping the longer we stayed apart, it was not quite the same. Then came the fall, and more importantly, the ‘24s.

After finally being returned to campus and dealing with quarantine, we started up Zoom strength again. The excitement of the ‘24s seemed to immediately spread through the whole team. Something about hearing new voices and meeting new people while talking about the sport we love always brings vitality back to the team. Maybe it’s just because I am tired of seeing our captain, Jackson Danis (’21), outshining my beard with his own, but the fresh faces during Zoom strength always makes my (Tues)day. The few new members I have had the opportunity to meet in breakout rooms have reminded me that the ‘24s are truly that best class ever — at least for the time being. We will continue to get stronger over the remainder of the term, and I am so excited to see more people joining the triathlon community every time we meet.

SBR

-Thomas Clark ’22

About the Author

Thomas (left in image below) is a ’22 engineering major modified with computer science (he wishes it communicated that he is more interesting than that major implies). He enjoys spending time with his friends, board games, and teaching. In his free time, he can be found arguing over truly pointless subjects, staring blankly at crosswords, and writing self-indulgent bios for blog posts.

Published on

There is something truly magical about waking up in the summer right before sunrise. Outside, the sky is still a little purple, and the air has a misty, rejuvenating feel to it. Meditative.

As I remove a mug from my cabinet and put on a pot of coffee, a wave of relaxation often washes over me. No matter what is coming my way today, I am up early to prepare for it. In a sense, I have “beat the day.” With this first little victory (in fact, a great morning song is “Little Victories” by J.D. Souther), my thoughts are only positive. My actions are only deliberate. The morning makes this state possible for me. Here, I allow myself to let go. Here, I allow myself to breathe. My calm before the storm.

In 1948, the World Health Organization was established post-World War II for the amelioration of public health conditions by means of international cooperation. Its constitution defined “health” as “a state of complete mental, social and physical well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” In our current world fraught with uncertainty, where relationships are strained, future plans held by a thread, where we are suffering, politically divided, tired, and ill, holistic protection of our well-being becomes even more important. My stress comes from having (and wanting) to do so much during the day. Sometimes I feel as though I am running for hours on a treadmill set to a speed too fast for me rather than primed to race. The surrounding chaos disrupts my focus, which doesn’t suit the adrenaline that comes with having to perform at a high level in the first place. I like to use that adrenaline to visualize and actualize, not self-paralyze.

As we have had to adapt amid a pandemic beyond our control, I have found security in the embrace of the early morning, with its empowering stillness. As we have lost the comforting structure of scheduled team practices these past two terms, except for our weekly zoom strength sessions, of course, I have found the morning to be the time when I can take control of at least one aspect of my life: my training.

For me, this spring meant getting back into running after injury, and I am incredibly grateful for Coach Katie’s 10-week training plan that helped me do just that. Katie’s plan held so much in store for us. We had days specifically scheduled for rest and yoga videos tailored specifically to runners. We had timed 5ks spaced evenly throughout the term to track our progress. We had a mix of tempo runs and track workouts, middle distance runs and long runs. We had strength sessions and running drills. To top it off, there were motivational videos to help us stay connected to racing and zoom office hours to help us stay connected to our team. It was a holistic training plan if I have ever seen one. And I am grateful to all of our coaches, Coach Jeff, Coach Jim, and Coach Katie, for their unwavering support. Thank you.

Since the spring term, I have also been a part of our executive board. I have been able to give back to the team that has meant so much to me over these past three years; coming into my fourth, there is nowhere else I would rather be. Socially, my well-being has been very much taken care of by our weekly meetings.

So to anyone struggling with training motivation during quarantine, I recommend that you connect with a teammate virtually (as our team has offered), watch a motivational video, and remember how with training comes mental clarity, social connection, physical strength, and an endorphin rush: training in three, holistic pillars — the mental, social, and physical. And if you are having trouble scheduling in your training, may I suggest the early morning, when free, light steps in the quiet, cooler hours can help prepare you for the weight of the world.

About the Author

Julianne Mehra is a '21 majoring in Comparative Literature. Apart from triathlon training, she enjoys playing piano and cooking with her family.

Published on

I participated in a duathlon at Sebago Lake, Maine on Sunday. The race director believed it was the first multi-sport event held in New England since the onset of the pandemic. It thereby serves as a kind of litmus test of the efficacy of new racing protocols instituted to protect the health of the racers. The director has requested that we report back if we test positive for Covid in the next several weeks so other participants can be notified and for contact tracing. While we won’t know for sure for a while if the protocols worked, I’d like to give my impressions and describe what the race was like so if any of you are considering a race in the near future you can have a better idea what to expect and make a slightly more informed decision.
Here is what the race company, TriMe, did to reduce people density and maximize social distancing and safety:

  • it had us check in on-line and do a pre-event health screening
  • the pre-race meeting was a zoom meeting Friday night and was recorded for anyone who could not attend.
  • TriMe requested we self body mark prior to the race using our own markers (although it provided back-up)
  • we had to estimate our finish times at least two days before the race and were seeded and placed in waves accordingly. No more than 50 athletes were allowed in the venue at a time. Each wave had its own transition set-up time and start time.
  • each 13 foot bike rack had spots for only 3 bikes allowing for 6’ spacing. The bikes on the end of each rack faced east, the one in the middle faced west. It was a luxurious amount of space! Our race packet hung from the rack at our specified spot.
  • the only close contact was with an official who checked our proof of identity
  • face masks were mandatory for racers, staff, volunteers and spectators at all times except for those actually in the process of racing. TriMe discouraged spectators from coming.
  • TriMe used a time trial start, with the fastest (by estimate) seed of wave 1 leaving first with progressively slower athletes (lining up at 6’ delineated spots) following every 20 seconds. The second wave left 30 minutes after the start of the 1st wave. I thought the seeding worked really well. I passed or was passed only 6 times during the entire race with racers giving as wide a berth as possible. That was enough racer “contact” to give it the feel of a real race. The run and bike courses were loops thereby avoiding close encounters that would happen with out-and-back courses.
  • The finish line had self-serve hydration and pre-made bagged nutrition. The finishers did a good job of social distancing and not congregating at the finish area.
  • There was no timing trailer to get your results, but one could opt for a phone message, a message which arrived almost immediately after a racer finished the race.
  • Finisher medals were in the race packets.
  • The award ceremony was a zoom meeting that evening and awards are being mailed.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the race, felt comfortably safe and thought the protocols worked well. The event, normally a triathlon, became a duathlon because the organizers felt they could not provide social distancing getting into and out of the water given the layout of the swim venue.

For those considering a race, here is the upcoming schedule:

Live Free and Tri-Freedom NH August 29,30- sprint, Olympic and half - http://tritekevents.com/events/

Sunapee- Sept 19 – Sunapee NH - Olympic. http://www.millenniumrunning.com/sunapeetri

Wallis Sands- Sept 20- Rye NH- Sprint triathlon/duathlon. https://tri-maine.com/wallis-sands-triathlon/

About the Author

Coach Jeff '76, is a retired Construction Company owner and long term Hanover/Dartmouth lacrosse coach. He is a current Dartmouth Tri Club coach and triathlon competitor. In his free time, he loves working/playing anything outdoors.

Published on

As we enter the fourth week of virtual Dartmouth Tri, the rest of the exec board and I have been brainstorming an assortment of challenges for our team to work towards. In addition to our weekly Zoom strength sessions and virtual training partners, we’ve been looking at ways to keep training and stay connected as a team. One of these challenges that I’m very excited to be able to announce is a virtual SBR to everyone’s hometown!

Last week, we sent our triathletes a survey asking them where their hometown was, and we got three dozen responses with hometowns across the continental United States. Those responses allowed us to construct a route starting at Dartmouth passing through everyone’s hometown. Over the rest of this term, we will swim, bike, and run this route as a team. The whole journey ended up being a little bit over 6,500 miles when mapped out, and as a team we will need to log just under 1,100 miles per week to reach our final stop in southern California.

While this goal may seem incredibly daunting at first (I know it sure did to me), Dartmouth Tri has collectively logged a lot of miles each week during the first few weeks of this term and so this goal is manageable for us. [Our team’s Strava page] is going to be the main way our athletes can log their training, and have it count for this challenge as long as it is a swimming, biking, or running activity.

Although we no longer have the Max Performance Season Opener and many summer races to look forward to this year, we think that this challenge will keep us plenty busy for the remainder of this term. As we reach important milestones in this challenge, we will post those on social media, so take a look there if you want to follow along with our virtual journey.

SBR,

Connor

About the Author

Connor Spencer ‘22 is a new member of the exec board majoring in mathematics and computer science. When not wrapped up in some problem set or another, Connor enjoys runs that are probably too long, crushing 5ks (as seen below!), and is also secretary of Dartmouth’s Magic: the Gathering Club.

Published on

As our virtual senior spring comes to a close, we have been reflecting on how much being a part of the Dartmouth Triathlon Team has meant to us during our undergraduate experience. This team is incredibly special. We feel so lucky to have been surrounded by such an amazing group of kind, hardworking, and supportive individuals. While being a part of the Dartmouth Triathlon Team has given us our love for the lifelong sport of triathlon, it has also taught us a lot about community and mentorship. This team has empowered us, challenged us, and grown our empathy. To the Dartmouth Triathlon Team, present, and future, we wanted to share some of the things we have learned over the past years.

  1. The best motivator for attending practice is getting to spend time surrounded by our supportive, compassionate community. Starting or ending our days crushing workouts with these incredible people made every single day BETTER. (19F New Member Breakfast)
  2. Tri challenged us and introduced us to this lifelong sport! (WE BIKED 100 MILES after starting cycling in college, YOU CAN TOO) (Finish line of the Prouty, our first 100 mile ride with Hunter '20 and Coach Jeff)
  3. Our diverse backgrounds with sbr create a wide range of abilities and speeds- we have so much to learn from and teach each other! (Open water swimming in Cliff Pond in Cape Cod where fast swimmer Russell ‘20 taught us some skills)
  4. Tri team is EMPOWERING. We developed our leadership skills and had this amazing opportunity to work with super talented, strong student leaders on the executive board and for each practice! Get involved, let tri team help you grow as a leader! (Tri team at the homecoming parade featuring many of our awesome exec board members and team members)
  5. Don’t take yourself too seriously - it’s super important to have fun! Challenge yourself, but make sure you’re enjoying your time with your teammates. (At our first Florida Training trip in 2018)
  6. SBRing is an awesome way to explore the Upper Valley and integrate more with the larger community! Try a new bike route, join UVRC for a run, and visit the beautiful outdoor spaces and farms. (Team trip to Riverview Farm) (Tri team supporting the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock!) (Tri team learning from local triathlete, Sarah True)

We cannot thank you all enough for the strength, resilience and kindness you have taught us! Each of you helped define our Dartmouth experience and made our time so formative. We will never forget this team!

sbr always,

Former captains Carly Tymm ‘20 and Andrea Sedlacek ‘20
About the Authors

Carly will be working on cancer research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston for the next year while applying to MD-PhD programs. She plans to spend a lot of her time on the bike trainer and will miss the open roads of the Upper Valley.
Next year, Andrea will be an Analyst at Falcon in Cleveland, OH. Though she will miss the team and NH/VT roads, she’s excited to explore the Cleveland Metroparks and new terrain for sbr-ing.

Published on

Hello! I’m Hannah, one of the captains for the upcoming year. My co-captains and I spent much of last term planning for the upcoming season, and, like many others, had our plans uprooted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, thanks to our wonderful, creative, and ever positive coaches Katie ’18, Jim, and Jeff ‘76, we have come up with a fun and exciting training plan for this spring that will get people ready to race whenever the races start happening again.

Although most people join the Tri team because they are curious about the sport, the tend to stay for the community. Naturally, going completely virtual makes it a bit more challenging to keep up the community aspect that our team values so much. After lots of brainstorming, here’s what we have come up with:

  • A weekly training plan with run and strength workouts, as many of our team members don’t have access to a bike or pool at home. The plan gives structure to those who want it, but the main goal is to help everyone stay active.
  • A weekly group strength and mobility session held over Zoom! This will give us all an opportunity to connect and check in.
  • Encouraging team members to go on runs “together” by calling another member of the team and chatting while they run on different routes- this has the added benefit of allowing people with different paces to run together!
  • Prizes! Oympian and Ironman Sarah True has offered to work with her sponsors to send prizes to teammates who stay active and improve.

We have a few other things planned and are excited to work with our exec board and our team to make things run as smoothly and “normally” as possible!

SBR,

Hannah

About the Author

Hannah Lang (left in image below) is a '21 majoring in Quantitative Social Science. When she's not out training, she loves to cook and do global health research (currently focused on resource constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic).