One unique podcast changed the course of sophomore Molly Harris’ summer. Listening to a sports report in May, she heard the story of an athlete that performed a triathlon while juggling. That is when she decided to set a goal to compete in her first triathlon this fall — minus the juggling.
After spending 15 weeks training and preparing in her hometown of Terre Haute, Ind., Molly competed in her first triathlon on Sept. 1 in Bentonville, Ark.
Sponsored by the community of Bentonville, the first annual TRIFEST for MS was held Aug. 31-Sept. 2, in order to benefit the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ multiple sclerosis research department. Molly participated in the sprint triathlon that consisted of 500 meters of swimming, 15.1 miles of biking and 3.1 miles of running.
Molly spent her summer working with her brother, senior Grant Harris, at a warehouse and devoted the rest of her time to gain the strength and endurance the race would demand. She explained that she chose to train for the event because it was a good combination and variety of the exercises she wanted to do during summer break. Of the three segments of the event, she favored swimming because it was the shortest.
She spent six days each week swimming, biking and running.
“I’m a lot stronger than I was,” she said. “It has also really increased my focus in different things. You have to be able to focus on what you’re doing.”
Molly explained that biking was the most difficult area for her to master. After hitting a plateau at eight miles, she said it took nearly a month to ride further.
Through the support of her parents and brother, she dedicated her time and abilities to fulfilling her goal.
“It was interesting that she decided to stick with it,” Grant Harris said. “She’s never tried anything like this before. I’m impressed that she stuck with it all the way.”
Grant motivated his sister after returning from their 12-hour days of work to simply “get out there and do it.”
Molly’s mindset entering the triathlon was to concentrate on completing instead of placing.
“No matter how long it takes me, I’m going to finish it,” she said.
Molly’s parents also encouraged her throughout the entire process. With her dad’s help of mapping out bike paths, she said that each night her mom would cheer her on as she rode past their home. The two drove from Indiana to join their son as they all watched her compete.
Though the experience was physically exhausting, Molly said that she never imagined she would actually be able to do it.
“I was reminded frequently of Romans 5:3-4, where Paul talks about [how] suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope,” she said. “Training gave me a real world example of what it’s like to go through all of the stages of that process and that’s definitely been applicable in my spiritual journey.”
