A group of Darlington faculty and staff has taken the School’s new health and wellness focus above and beyond through their participation in several North Georgia triathlons.
In early August, information technology staffers Audra Babb, Stefan Eady and Marcus Holmes teamed with math teacher Joe Pieroni for the 7th Annual Summer Sizzler Sprint Triathlon in Hiawassee, Ga. By definition, a triathlon is an athletic event made up of three contests, usually swimming, cycling and running, and this group had some training to do before they were ready to compete.
“I had no background in triathlons, just a foolish image in my head that it would be fun to try and say I had done,” said Eady. “I have run for years and had just finished a marathon, so I was looking for something to mix up my training. I had no swimming experience whatsoever.”
The group began training regularly together in May, with other fitness-minded faculty members such as Graphic Design teacher Alan Parish joining in for the occasional swim or bike ride.
“It’s much more fun to train with other people than by yourself ... Biking is the longest portion of the race, so it’s nice to have people to talk to on the trek,” said Parish, an experienced triathlon competitor, who has participated in three events, including one in Zambia.
Pieroni said team training for one common goal was a great way to spend the summer. “We built friendships, had fun, and got ourselves in better shape,” he said. “Stefan was the driving force, coming up with training schedules and a tracker. He really did the research, reading and investigation to make sure we trained properly.”
All agreed that even though the training is tough, it prepares you for the big event.
“Triathlons are sprint distance races that usually include a one third- to half-mile swim, a 16-mile bike ride and a three-mile run,” said pre-K teacher Beth Smith (’87), who competed in two triathlons this summer with Middle School Drama teacher Kim Tunnell. “Triathlons are just a lot of fun. Combining three sports into one makes it more interesting.”
After competing in the August event, the four beginners were hooked on triathlons. They are already scheduled to compete at two fall events and have added at least four more Darlington competitors to their group. Their next event, the Sept. 29 Lake Weiss Triathlon, will start with a quarter-mile swim, followed by a 17-mile scenic bike ride, and concluding with a 3.1-mile run to the finish line at the park.
“I am really looking forward to competing this weekend,” said Caroline Blaylock (’91), Head of Regester House. “I did a triathlon about three years ago and had a blast. It felt great. Crossing the finish line was a huge relief. The run was a lot harder than I anticipated, but I made it.”
The group will compete again Oct. 7 at the Cohutta Springs Triathlon.
“The fact that, as a group, we have successfully trained and completed a triathlon is a great example of how anyone can be healthy and fit at any age and still have fun doing it,” said Babb, database administrator. “It’s not necessarily about being the first to cross the finish line, but the steps you take to get there.”
Eady agreed, “I especially like when fellow employees and students ask about running or biking … For us it’s not competition, it’s just participation. While training for the triathlon or any race, we feel like the final event really isn’t that important. It just gives us all a reason to get out together, have fun and stay fit.”
