While some teachers were relaxing over the summer, one NH educator was prepping for the ride of her life.     

   In August, Special Education department chair, Mrs. Kathy Ege, participated in a triathlon (a race consisting of swimming, biking, and running) in Columbia, Maryland.

   While Ege did biking portion of the race, her teammates consisted of her daughter Lauren Debelius,  who swam and her daughter-in-law Bernadette Debelius, who ran. Some of the other athletes participated solo.

   The half triathlon that Ege participated consists of a .62 mile swim , 16 mile bike ride and a 3.4 mile run to round it out.

     Lots of preparation goes into a race like this. “I built strength and stamina using weights with a trainer two times a week.  I also rode my bike 11-18 miles three to four times a week and also did the elliptical two to three times a week,” stated Ege.

     Many people from a wide variety of areas participated in this race, from young ladies to women in their 70s. The triathlon was a female-only event and it supported the Ulman cancer fund.

     “I did the 16 mile bike course and that is why I trained for this race mainly in road biking,” said Ege. “The beginning part of the ride was very difficult. The adrenaline from participating in this event, with so many amazing women, many of whom were cancer survivors, was inspiring.”  Ege said what struck her about the event was knowing that not everybody was clipping their shoes into the pedals and that their health was an issue. “The enormity of how fortunate I am was overwhelming both years and it struck me at the beginning of my leg of the race,” said Ege.

    The special education teacher commented that the most difficult part of the race “was preparing mentally, especially the first time I participated. It was daunting being one of the approximately 1,000 women riding through the countryside of Howard County, hoping a tire would not blow out, a chain pop off or my foot come unclipped and I would fall off my bike,” said Ege.