|
|
The head coach of the Towamencin Bux-Mont swim team‚ McConnell decided she wanted to hold a fund-raiser that would include‚ but not be limited to‚ the swimming community. The solution was a triathlon‚ and after consulting with aficionado Jim Rodman‚ the TST Triathlon was born.
Following the inaugural year‚ Beth’s mom passed away.
“She was the parent leader of the swim team for about 20 years so we decided to name it after her. That’s how we got the name ‘Journey For Joann‚’” McConnell said. “The money all goes to the Towamencin Community Wellness Foundation and for the new pool.”
Fulfilling a commitment she made to herself‚ McConnell began training with the help of a couple swim moms two months ago‚ and on Saturday‚ went the distance.
“I really wanted to give it a try in honor of mom‚ so I decided this year I would do it‚” McConnell said.
Many of the 75 finishers were in a similar boat of competing in a triathlon for the first time.
For father Doug Gibson and sons Todd and Matt – all North Penn graduates – it was all about a little friendly competition among family. Matt‚ a water polo All-American who recently graduated from Groves City College‚ was the only one of the three who had been in such an event before. This year Todd‚ 19‚ and his father‚ 47‚ would team up and join him.
“I got into a zone where the timing of your breathing works with the pump of your legs and there is this kind of zone you get into‚ and I felt it‚” said Doug‚ who is not used to swimming or running competitively. “I just tried to throttle myself and stay in that zone‚ and I had enough to sprint a little at the end.”
It was not quite enough to catch the veteran son‚ Matt‚ but no worries‚ Doug and Todd have figured out a solution.
“We thought maybe we’d put a slow leak in his tire next year‚” Doug said with a laugh.
North Penn senior and standout runner Cheryl Dingman is on the opposite end of the spectrum from Doug and Todd‚ having participated in this and several other triathlons like it for the past three years.
Saturday‚ she took first in the woman’s 14 to 19 age group‚ coming off of a struggle last year while recovering from knee surgery.
“It’s a community thing‚ you know everybody here‚” said Dingman‚ in explaining why she participates in this event‚ even when hobbled. “And the whole purpose behind it is for Beth’s mother. I’ve known Beth since I was 7 and she has coached me since I was 10.”
Many had ties with Beth and the Towamencin swim community that drew them there. Others‚ like Arlington‚ Va.‚ resident Marisa Rainey‚ drove in from out of town because of a posting they found on the Internet.
But no matter the affiliation‚ all walked off with smiles as the pain faded‚ and all cheered in unison as the creator turned the corner and headed for home.
