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!
