Iron Bronco Triathalon challenges students

By Ryan Marshall

Every spring at Santa Clara University students, faculty and staff across campus are put to the test of the Iron Bronco Triathlon.

 Either individually or in teams of two or three, participants set their minds and bodies to the strenuous requirements of the challenge. Participants of the Iron Bronco Triathalon, which is sponsored by the Pat Malley Fitness and Recreation Center, must complete 26.2 miles of running, 112 miles of biking and 2.4 miles of swimming — a task fit for the Steve Prefontaines, the Lance Armstrongs and the Michael Phelps' of Santa Clara University.

However, the participants do not have to be the present-day reincarnation of King Leonidas in order to complete the tasks, although it would help .

Sophomore Kaitlin Fuelling teamed up with sophomores Hallie McKnight and John Kreikebaum to finish the triathlon, delegating tasks according to individual strengths and preferences. Participants may choose to divide the challenges in many different ways. A team of three, such as Fuelling's, may tally up mileage as a group by having one person do the swimming, another complete the biking and the last person be responsible for the running. This tactic can not only ease the burden of time constraints and decrease the likelihood of severe exhaustion, but it can also be a way to strengthen relationships.

"It's an interesting way to get to know people better," explains Fuelling.

Part of this collaboration is rooted in the principles of teamwork and the sense of duty one feels for a counterpart or teammate. Sophomore participant Matt Lee, who partnered up with junior Andrew Parker, explained, "one of the best things about it is the camaraderie shared between (Andrew) and I."

This year there were 34 individuals and 62 teams that participated in the triathlon. All 62 teams completed the challenge. Lee, who accomplished the tasks as a solo entrant last year, offered some insight about the differences between undertaking the challenge individually versus tackling it as a team.

"It's tough having to go out on a run by yourself — especially the days when you really don't want to, and those are the times when it's helpful to have a friend out there with you going through the same thing," he said.

Whether that means pumping up a friend as if they were about to step into the ring with Evander Holyfield, or bickering about whose idea it was to sign up for the triathlon in the first place — it's the bonding that counts.

In reality, participants rarely have negative experiences with the Triathlon. People sign up for a variety of reasons, including as a way to stay in shape or simply for a diversion from academic stress.

In any event, the registered triathletes were more than ready to begin their tasks on April 25. Dividing all of the miles evenly over the two weeks would be equivalent to running over four laps around Bellomy Field, eight miles of biking (nearly 19 Bellomy laps), and just under six laps at the Sullivan Aquatic Center every day. The competition was certain to bring about physical and mental strain, along with  an incredible display of time management skills.

Kaitlin Fuellling reflected on the ways in which the extra time commitment cut into her days.

"It's a good tool to learn while we're still in college — to know what is important, what is necessary to do by the next day, and so on," said Fuelling. "I wouldn't say I became anti-social in order to complete this; I just know at least from our team and some of my other friends that we really had to plan out our schedules so that we could fit in all that we wanted: class, homework, exercise and friends."

Aside from the physical benefits of completing the triathlon, Campus Minister Julia Claire Landry experienced a broader gratification by the end of the two weeks.

"I think it's inspiring to be able to set your mind to a set of goals — goals that stretch you and push you to your limits, and to be able to achieve them," said Landry.

For a full list of the teams and individuals who successfully completed the 2011 Iron Bronco Triathlon, click here.

Contact Ryan Marshall at rmarshall@scu.edu.