Name: Tara Dunion
Birthday: July 18
Hometown: Wilmington, DE
What is your athletic background? Did you play any sports growing up?
“I started as a 6 and under swimmer which kicked off a lifelong love of swimming. Growing up I also was a gymnast, ballet dancer and diver and played tennis and softball. I swam in high school and my school team won the state championship.”
When did you attend your first workout with Arlington Sports Conditioning, and how did you first learn about the group?
“I joined Gold’s Gym about 10 years ago and started going to Pete’s Monday night class. I loved it and was hooked from the first class. I also have been a pretty regular attendee of the Saturday morning workouts.”
What is your proudest athletic accomplishment, and why?
“I’m proudest of the moments that I found scary but proceeded anyway. One was as a teenager at a dive meet that had to be paused when the person going ahead of me hit their head on the board. Once the ambulance carted them away it was my time to dive. I was doing a reverse dive going backwards towards the board. I stepped up, disregarded the blood still on the board and did the dive.
I also completed a triathlon on a stormy day in Bethany, Delaware where they almost canceled the swim due to huge waves. It was the worst swim of my life but I kept moving forward and eventually finished the ocean swim and gratefully moved on to the bike and run on flat ground.”
What is your favorite exercise(s)?
“I love burpees and bleachers and box (step) jumps.”
What is your favorite workout song or musical artist?
“A few oldies but goodies include Eminem Lose Yourself, Jay-Z Run This Town, Pink’s So What, Green Day’s American Idiot and Blink-182 What’s My Age Again.”
What is your favorite sports team?
“I love college basketball, especially the Duke Blue Devils. I’m also a Washington Capitals hockey fan and hope to see the Stanley Cup return to DC soon.”
Who is your favorite athlete?
“Stephen Curry for his resilience and ability to grow beyond his early “underrated” status, Serena Williams for being an inspirational trailblazer, Katie Ledecky for continuing to get better as she gets older, and Mikaela Shiffrin for being a badass skier.”
Other than working out, how else do you like to spend your free time?
“I love going to the movies and eating out and traveling to fun locations. I play guitar and am in two book clubs. I listen to a bunch of podcasts and audiobooks while biking and walking my wonderful dog Ace. And I love cooking, especially baking.”
What do you like best about Arlington Sports Conditioning? What are the biggest benefits that you’ve seen as a member?
“I love the variety of the workouts but what keeps me coming back are the fun and supportive people of Arlington Sports Conditioning. This group is so welcoming and it has been great getting to know people outside of the track too: at happy hours, tennis matches, Manther concerts, etc. The ASC crew makes sleet-filled winter days and sweaty 90+ degree summer days worth showing up for.”
What advice would you offer to new or prospective members of Arlington Sports Conditioning?
“Come for the sprints, burpees and bleachers and return for the amazing people that soon become your workout community of friends.”