Fort Drum’s Strong B.A.N.D.S. events put focus on fitness, wellness | Article

FORT DRUM, N.Y. (May 14, 2021) — Two heart-pumping, adrenaline-racing competitions ended the second week of the Army Strong BANDS (Strong Balance, Activity, Nutrition, Determination and Strength) marketing campaign at Fort Drum.

More than a dozen group members gathered at Magrath Sports Complex for a dash triathlon, hosted by Fort Drum Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR). The employees designed the occasion to permit individuals the choice to both use a spin bike or experience their very own highway bike on a 12-mile course outdoors.

This was the primary dash triathlon for 1st Sgt. Daniel Bryan, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. While some Soldiers look to enhance power or pace, he stated that he has different bodily health objectives.

“I suppose I’m morphing into the endurance section of my life, so I simply need to have the ability to go the gap,” he stated. “The final purpose for me is to finish a full Ironman.”

So, he purchased a bicycle at an area division retailer, watched some movies on-line for steering and educated.

“When they opened the pool again up, I might swim some laps after which run – longer runs at an everyday tempo,” he stated. “But I might solely do just a few bike rides due to the climate. I additionally practiced transitions at residence, going from a motorcycle to a run and seeing how that appears like.”

Bryan set a purpose of finishing the triathlon inside 90 minutes, and he succeeded by crossing the ending line at 1:20:40.

Second Lt. Joe Karslo, with 2nd Battalion, twenty second Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, recorded a time of 58:07 and positioned first amongst these competing on spin bikes.

“It was nice,” he stated. “I actually wanted to get again into this type of coaching, particularly now that we’ve good climate. I didn’t end precisely the place I wished to be, but it surely was a aggressive race and really well-organized. So, I’m positively pleased with it.”

Karslo participated in FMWR’s final dash triathlon, which was an indoor occasion.

“It’s an excellent exercise it doesn’t matter what,” he stated. “Then, you’ve got Soldiers see you compete in numerous actions and it may possibly encourage them to get within the pool and swim laps or get on a motorcycle. I believe it’s setting a very good instance, and it’s only a enjoyable occasion that helps enhance your bodily health.”

Bill Van Orman has competed in lots of triathlons and highway races over time, however took an extended pause through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I swam final week for the primary time in over a 12 months,” he stated. “But this isn’t a brand new sport to me. So seeing that there was a possibility to do one once more, this was one thing I needed to do. It’s enjoyable, and I’m excited to do that.”

Van Orman additionally registered for the “Don’t Touch the Lava” occasion May 14 at Atkins Functional Fitness Facility, which challenges individuals to navigate a course utilizing leap packing containers, ropes, the Alpha Warrior rig and different obstacles with out touching the bottom.

This occasion additionally falls underneath the umbrella of Strong B.A.N.D.S. occasions, an annual marketing campaign which promotes a tradition of health and well-being in all points of Soldiers’ lives.

After ending the indoor impediment course, Pfc. Joshua Valdez, with 59th Chemical Company, tenth Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade, stated it felt like a full-body exercise.

“I’m winded,” he stated. “It labored out every part. I didn’t assume it might be so tiring. The monkey bars harm my time, however I did OK.”

Valdez stated that he usually works out with the free weights at Atkins, however he by no means used the rope wall or the Alpha Warrior Rig earlier than.

“It appeared like it might be enjoyable, and one thing that might check my endurance and grip,” he stated.

Pfc. Matias Flowers, with C Battery, 2nd Battalion, fifteenth Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, stated that the course was a very good check of stability, agility and most of all, upper-body power.

“You must have good upper-body power, and simply push your self,” he stated. “You additionally have to have pace.”

Flowers was a last-minute entry, having not too long ago heard concerning the occasion. After watching the primary individual navigate the course, he found out how he would strategy it. Then he flew the course with the quickest time of 1 minute and 33 seconds.

“I’m simply aggressive, and I wished to attempt one thing new,” he stated. “I appreciated this. If you consider it, you’ll mess up.”

Van Orman positioned second with a time of two minutes and seven seconds. After competing on this and the dash triathlon, Van Orman famous that it was not all play for him. He used each occasions as alternatives to arrange an ASAP info sales space, and promote the upcoming “101 Days of Summer” marketing campaign.

“This is an annual drug and alcohol marketing campaign on the 101 days the place threat is the very best for incidents,” he stated. “People get out extra, they go to seashore and to barbecues, they usually drink.”

Van Orman stated that he isn’t telling Soldiers to not drink, however to take action responsibly.

“You can drink, however you don’t should be excessive threat, like binge consuming or driving whereas intoxicated,” he stated. “My angle is extra about making wholesome decisions. You can have enjoyable, however be good about it. You can’t keep prepared as a Soldier in the event you’re off form, or struggling in that division.”

As a lot as Van Orman enjoys competitors, he stated that taking part in such FMWR occasions permits him to speak with Soldiers in an off-the-cuff setting.

“It offers me a possibility to fulfill loads of the Soldiers who see me in lessons, however they see I’m not simply that boring teacher who teaches ASAP and suicide prevention,” he stated. “I’m additionally out doing the identical stuff that they love to do.”

Sprint Triathlon Results

The high ending occasions for the dash triathlon have been:

Spin Bike: Second Lt. Joe Karslo, 58:07

Road Bike: Capt. Eric Geber, 1:11:06 (high male); Capt. Elizabeth Agnew, 1:34:28 (high feminine)