Written by: Elika Hamer
I was clueless as to what I was about to do in the new environment of college during the summer after my senior year in high school. I had no idea of what extracurricular activities that they offered on campus. Even knowing what classes I needed to take for my major was a mystery. Then, my orientation day came along, and the first place the orientation mentors took us was the Arkansas Union where they had numerous tables advertising activities and clubs students can get involved in. I went around at all of the tables, and one table caught my eye – the University Recreatio
n table. In high school, I did cross-country and track, so I wanted to continue being active. Originally, I was hoping to join a running club, but I was told that such a club does not exist. However, the triathlon club was very close to it. It just meant adding two more disciplines into my workout routine. The more I heard about the club, the more I was convinced I should try out the triathlon club. Weeks went by after my orientation.
Finally, the first practice for the triathlon club arrived. As a freshman, I have to admit I was pretty nervous going to the practice by myself without knowing anyone. As soon as I arrived, everyone on the team was genuinely nice and helpful, and I quickly felt comfortable being around them. After the first few weeks of swimming, running, and biking practices, I got to know many of the people in the club and the practices became even more fun. The practices rotate among the three disciplines during each week, and all of the days are optional. I am not yet a strong biker or a swimmer, but each practice I get to do a workout that matches my level of fitness and will help me become better. That was one of the comforting things about the practices because everyone is on a different level of fitness, and the workouts accommodate everyone’s needs.
From the beginning of the semester until now, I have already completed two triathlons, and I am proud to say that I love triathlons. At the end of my senior year in high school, I was getting burnt out from just running, so changing my workout routine was definitely a great idea. I am so glad that I joined this club because I got to know so many amazing upperclassmen whom I turn to for advice. They are now my friends. Getting involved in college is a huge part of student life, and I would strongly encourage everyone to just try out a club or an organization that you have been thinking about! It might turn out to be exactly where you belong.
