On your mark, get set ... It's almost time for the Daniel Island Kids' Triathlon
And…they’re off!
About 100 kids, that is, ages 7-14, who are expected to compete in the 12th Annual Daniel Island Kids’ Triathlon on Saturday, June 17, starting at 7:30 a.m.
Portions of Daniel Island Drive and Pierce Street will be closed off (near Pierce Park Pavilion) until approximately 10:30 a.m. Don’t try to drive along either of those streets until the event is over. You just might get run over by a herd of fast-moving, hard breathing, dripping wet kids on mountain bikes, bearing down on the finish line with everything they’ve got!
The DI Kids’ course is a very abbreviated version of a traditional triathlon, a race that involves the rigor of swimming, the focus of cycling and the endurance of long-distance running. For many of the participants in the Daniel Island event, especially the younger ones, it’s as close to the grueling Ironman competition as they can get right now. These young athletes wear the same determined expressions of veteran triathletes we see on ESPN; there’s the sweat, the exhaustion and, of course, the elation of winning….and the relief of finally finishing.
The idea of a kids’ triathlon on Daniel Island was the brainchild of Ronda Schilling, one of the island’s first residents (and an account executive for The Daniel Island News). Schilling, an avid fitness enthusiast, had two high energy children of her own prior to the event’s launch. While they let off steam by riding their bikes around the island, racing each other down the road and swimming competitively every summer, Schilling wanted to see more structured sports events on Daniel Island. Aware of a kids’ triathlon in the Creekside neighborhood, Schilling suggested to the POA that Daniel Island should host a similar event; it was an idea that was met with great enthusiasm. As a matter of fact, Schilling’s zeal for organizing sports-related activities on the island eventually caught the attention of Senator Jim Mullen and former Mayor Joe Riley - and landed her a seat on the City of Charleston’s Board of Recreation.
In 2006, Daniel Island’s younger residents competed in the community’s very first Kids’ Triathlon. For 7-10 year olds, the course began with a 100-meter swim (roughly 4 lengths) in the Pierce Park Pool, a 2.4 mile bike ride along Pierce Street followed by a one-half mile run down Daniel Island Drive. For older participants, aged 11-14, the expanded course consisted of a 200 meter swim, 5.5 mile bike ride and a one mile run. The full triathlon course remains the same today.
Schilling’s kids, along with scores of other participants on the island discovered the thrill of competing in three of their favorite activities, back to back, often in well under 30 minutes. Schilling points out, “It’s important to keep kids active and events like the Kids’ Triathlon get the whole family out of the house.” Indeed many children and their families come back year after year, to either beat last year’s personal best - or simply to have a great time.
We managed to catch up with a few sports-minded families on the island, parents and kids alike, to learn more about how they prepare - mentally and physically - for the Kids’ Triathlon.
Mary Patterson, owner of Gaia Fit, is a Daniel Island resident and fitness buff who has inspired her boys to stay active and participate in the triathlon every year. Wesley, a rising 5th grader at Daniel Island School offers some advice to newcomers: “Try training before the triathlon to help yourself get comfortable. Even if you are bad at one thing (like swimming) you can still win and have fun!” Younger brother, Ryan, a rising 3rd grader, also at Daniel Island School, reminds prospective participants, “You get to see all your friends and cheer them on too!”
Daniel Island resident Molly May is a competitive runner who has inspired in her own children the same passion for the sport. Josie, a rising 6th grader at the Daniel Island School, and son Bryce, a rising 4th grader, also at the Daniel Island School, have been competing in and placing in the Kids’ Triathlon on Daniel Island, with Josie winning 1st place and Bryce winning 3rd, each in their respective age and gender categories. The kids may get their running DNA from mom Molly. But extra practice competing in triathlons in Mt. Pleasant and in Summerville may give them a little edge as does year-round conditioning through an assortment of sports including soccer, cross country, flag football and summer-time swim team practice.
But preparation for a triathlon goes beyond building speed and endurance. Attention to logistics can make a big difference! There’s nothing like a stubborn shoe-lace knot or soft bike tire to bring a budding Ironman or Ironwoman to tears! May recommends parents make a triathlon checklist (see sidebar) to ensure all gear and equipment accessories and even nutritional/hydration needs will be firmly in place on the big day.
May observes, “The DI Kids’ Triathlon gets kids to step outside of their comfort zone sport and try something new. Whether it’s swimming, biking or running, or doing all three together.” She adds, “Remind your children that it is normal to feel uncomfortable when they are pushing hard. Discomfort - even just breathing hard - is a sure sign that they are putting in 100 percent effort ….and that’s success right there!”
Daniel Island dad Shawn Pinkston agrees. “When kids push their way through to the end, they give themselves the confidence-boosting experience of ‘I can do this!’”
An avid biker, Pinkston has recently begun to compete in local triathlons, inspiring his son, Benjamin, a rising 5th grader at the Daniel Island School, to try the sport. This year, younger sister Nathalie will join in. While both children are physically active, Benjamin in karate and Nathalie in gymnastics, Pinkston encourages them to train with him for the event, riding miles of Daniel Island trails on weekends, running laps around the block after school and, whenever possible, practicing swimming technique in the Pierce Park Pool.
Pinkston observes, “Completing a triathlon teaches kids that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to - they just have to work hard. It’s a great life lesson.”
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
Gear Equipment Checklist
• Be sure bikes are in working order: brakes, tires, general once over/tune up, kickstand (this will be important because space is limited in transition area), proper helmet, and strap fit adjust ahead of time. Think about the swim/bike/run transitions and gear/equipment that should be in place. Practice making transitions.
• Use running shoe laces with easy ties e.g. elastic laces
• Swim cap
• Goggles
Day-before prep
• Layout all clothes, shoes, helmet
• Pin the race number on the shirt or pin to a race belt
• Pack two towels - one for drying off, the other to protect transition shoes/shirt for bike portion. (Note: Area will be crowded with equipment and gear, so bring only basic necessities.)
Training/Physical and
Mental Preparation
If your kids are already active every day, they should have no trouble completing the event, but swim practice can be helpful as well as a practice run through of the bike route, as well as ensuring trouble-free transitions (note: parents are not allowed to help in the transition areas).
Eat a light breakfast at least 30 minutes prior to the event. And remember to stay hydrated throughout the day.
2017 Daniel Island Kids’ Triathlon
Saturday, June 17
Race starts at 7:30 a.m.
Pierce Park Pavilion
For children ages 7-14. Entry fee is $50 per person. Registration ends Friday, May 26. No late entries will be taken. Awards will be given to the top three finishers, boys and girls, in each age group. For more information or to register, visit http://sc-charleston.civicplus.com/index.aspx?nid=1317. Registration forms, along with additional details, can also be found at the City of Charleston Recreation office adjacent to the Daniel Island Fire Station.