Warning: All activities performed on this day were executed by professionals. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. No, I’m just kidding, all activities were performed by just average students and average staff members of the HAN, so feel free to join in during the next ABS athletics event!!
After reading the title you may be thinking to yourself that this may be a bit exaggerated, but do NOT kid yourself, it is NOT. I believe the title is well fitting for the occasion and the accomplishment by not only us the students, but also by members of the faculty of the ABS.
On Sunday April 22nd 2018, 4 students (Tolke Plieth, Melanie Schafer, Man-kit Lee & Riegmar Valies) and 2 faculty members of the ABS (Niek van Hees & Thijs van den Broek), participated in a mini triathlon right here in Arnhem. This triathlon consisted of 3 activities which were; swimming, cycling and running (in that exact order). For us, the students, this was our first time participating in a triathlon but we were ready!!! Luckily for us though, Niek & Thijs had prior experience and were able to give us some really good tips and tricks.
Sunday morning we all rounded up at the triathlon location, me at 8:26 a.m, some 8:37 a.m and others maybe a few minutes before 9. Hahaha, who’s keeping record? The point is, we all agreed to meet up at the location before 9 o’clock so that we could register the teams and get our respective participation numbers. After registering, we went up to put our bikes in the stalls and sit at the pool-side observing the earlier competitors category as we waited for our start-time. So yes, we were basically there 2 hours in advance. All I could think on was, “man, I could’ve slept a bit longer!”. Lol. But we were there, the weather was beautiful and the vibes were just right. We were all nervous but excited at the same time as we watched the clock countdown and we saw team after team dive into the pool and began their turn.
First team to begin was Niek & Thijs, which was quite good because we got the extra boost seeing them push through their laps in the pool. Despite us wanting to beat their time and show them that the students are here to win, we still supported each other and shouted words of encouragement as they made their laps. At one point Thijs was even able to take a pose mid-swimming, which was quite cool. Hahahaha. When they finished and went on to the next activity, it was about time for team 2 (Tolke & Melanie) to head out, followed by team 3 (Mankit & I). IT WAS ON!!!!
Before the real race challenge started no one mentioned the pre-challenge, which was getting into that pool filled with cold water!! They measured it at 21.5 degrees celcius but WOW, it was COLD!! COLDD!! At least up until the point when we began to actually swim, then it becomes quite soothing. The real challenge began which was indeed a challenge. If you’re not a frequent swimmer, the resistance lap after lap takes a toll on your arms, shoulders and legs. Talk about having spaghetti arms. Right after completing such a challenge and you feel the relief, it lasts only a few minutes. Those few minutes is the time you have to get to your bicycle, change and head out on the cycling challenge. Just as the body was put to work during swimming, it was put to work overtime to cycle and then double overtime for the final stretch which was running. I won’t even lie to you, it was definitely exhausting. The best part of it all was after all that swimming, cycling and running, nothing was more pleasurable at that moment than crossing the finish line. The triathlon was over…..we made it……..WE ACCOMPLISHED!
To be honest, this was definitely a worthwhile experience. I recommend all students to take the opportunity if they have a chance. I will be joining ABS athletics for another event.
I would like to thank the Arnhem Business School for the opportunity to participate in this triathlon. I would like to specifically thank Niek van Hees & Thijs van den Broek for their support through the process before and during the triathlon. I would definitely like to send a huge thanks to Niek Wessels who assisted with getting the team ready and organizing the team for the triathlon. Also a thank you to our amazing supporters and photographers: Jair Frank & Dasha Surovtseva.
Esoteric 
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