Joe Roof’s students had been preparing for their final test all semester, and now was the moment of truth.
One after another, they splashed into the pool at USC’s Blatt P.E. Center to begin the swim portion of a modified triathlon super sprint — 200 meters swimming followed by seven miles pedaling on indoor spin bikes and two miles jogging on the Blatt practice field. It was the perfect ending to a one-credit-hour elective course called Triathlon Training.
“This is the best way to introduce people to the triathlon sport because it’s expensive to buy a bike, it’s hard to get on the road — this is safe,” says Roof, a three-time Iron Man triathlete and adjunct instructor in physical education. “It changed my life doing triathlons 20 years ago and being around positive, supporting people, so I just want them to experience the same thing. One of them has already signed up for his first triathlon in June.”
Students in the course had a mix of majors, from biology and finance to history and criminal justice, and their motivations for taking it were equally diverse.
“I want to do a half Ironman within five years, so I figured why not try a triathlon course first?” says Noah Smith, a criminal justice senior. “It was fulfilling because you see progress incrementally as you hit your milestones. It felt pretty nice to do it.”
Freshman pre-med student Chloe McCracken ran track in high school and wanted to try something new.
“I've never done anything like it, so I thought it would be interesting,” she says. “It was definitely difficult, but I was really excited for it. And we’ve been preparing all semester, so it was fun to finally put it all together.”
Caroline Swearingen, a biology and finance senior who’s going into biotech consulting, had registered to run in the Boston Marathon and knew the course would help her prepare.
“It gave me a set time to go to the gym, work out different muscles each week,” says Swearingen, who completed the Boston race two days before the sprint triathlon on campus. “I loved coming to this class. The other students have been so nice and supportive, and I feel like I wouldn’t have met any of them outside of this class, which is awesome.”
Nick Dubois, a finance and accounting senior, and Grant Ruhlen, a history and political science senior, both played for USC’s Rugby Club.
“You’re pushing yourself in school, but having something outside of school like this class gets your mind off things,” Dubois says.
“The people we met in this class are awesome,” Ruhlen says. “It makes it easier to get up and condition when you’re around good people.”
Actually doing the triathlon sprint was no easy feat, though, says Eli Altmeyer, a finance and real estate senior.
“It was definitely a challenge, especially when I went got off the bike,” Altmeyer says. “My legs were feeling like jelly.”
Roof, a 1986 USC alumnus who retired after 37 years in the insurance industry, is a first-time adjunct in the physical education department. His wife, Erin, has taught yoga and group exercise classes in the department for several years.
“Surround yourself with good people,” Roof told the students after the triathlon sprint was finished. “Get on the right bus, the one with people that lift you up, the people that support you and challenge you and make you better because that will make all the difference in your life and your careers.”
Banner and gallery photos courtesy of GG Media.