It is not shocking that teachers do not sleep at the school and wake up in the morning just to teach students. Music, sports, and clubs are all part of not just students’ lives, but teachers’ lives as well.

Like other people, some teachers enjoy sports and continue playing later in life, Pete Ternes, social studies teacher, said. This further proves that students are not the only athletes within the school.

“Sports have the same benefit for us [teachers],” Ternes said. “It is extremely helpful in relieving stress, getting frustration out, and is a great hobby to keep in shape, especially when you are older like us”

Despite the daily work and grading, some teachers find enough time to work out in a fun way. Several teachers took the time to talk about the sports they play and their significance in their lives.

Pete Ternes, social studies teacher: soccer, Australian football, basketball

Ternes has played basketball and soccer as a lifelong athlete.  He also played but recently gave up playing Australian football last year.

“I have played soccer since I was five. I have been playing basketball for 15 years,” Ternes said. “As for Australian football, I started playing 11 years ago. I used to work at a bar and in the afternoon I would watch [Australian football] on ESPN and I liked it. I said if I heard there was a team in Chicago, I would do it. Sure enough I found a team in Chicago, tried out, made the team there, and a year and a half later I was on the National team.”

Once Ternes joined the US National team, he said he also played in the first Australian football world cup in Melbourne, Australia, in 2000.

“When we went down to Australia, we didn’t realize people knew who we were,” Ternes said. “We got off the airplane and there were TV reporters, newspaper reporters, and we were getting interviewed. They knew exactly who we were, that I was a teacher at Lake Zurich, and it was just really mind blowing.”

Although he did not play at the national level for soccer, Ternes said he had just as exciting experiences.

“I played soccer in high school and in college at [Illinois State University]. I also have played professionally on the Rockford Raptors. When I played on the professional team, I traveled to 47 out of the 50 states,” Ternes said. “My most memorable moment would have to be when I scored my first professional goal against a team in Austin, Texas. It was sudden death and I scored a header goal that won us the game.”

Despite his extraordinary experiences with Australian football and soccer, Ternes said he also casually plays basketball with other teachers in the mornings.

“I started the EMH [Early Morning Hoops] basketball program at our school,” Ternes said. “At 6am on Fridays, for an hour, 10 to 15 teachers play basketball. We do it just for fun, and it’s a great way to start the day.”

Lesly Ravenscraft, English/ELL teacher: marathons, triathalons, half Ironman triathalons, obstacle races, softball, volleyball

On a daily basis, Ravenscraft wakes up early to work out or train for upcoming races.

“During the school year, I train in the mornings at 4am. In the summer I work out a little later, but I like to train early in the morning. And when you train, you usually do two of the events [in the triathalons] in a day. Usually I will do swimming and running or biking and running,” Ravenscraft said. “The distance varies as you build up [endurance]. The most I would train on the bike is 50 miles, for running, no more than 10 miles, and swimming you want to build up to 1.2 miles. On average it takes about two to two and a half hours.”

Despite the fact that triathalon training is time consuming, Ravenscraft said it is her favorite sport as an adult.

“It’s something I can do on my own or with someone else or a group of friends,” Ravenscraft said. “It’s my escape time and it’s healthy.”

Along with the satisfaction that comes with training, Ravenscraft said she enjoys setting and accomplishing goals.

“For each race, my goal is to beat my time from my previous race,” Ravenscraft said. “I am never expecting to win, but I like to improve my time and challenge myself and see what I am capable of.”

Although Ravenscaft has run in many races, she has yet to compete in a full Ironman, which involves a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run.

“I have done five triathalons of different distances, seven marathons, some smaller ten kilometer races and half marathons, and I have done two half Ironmans, which consists of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 run at the end. My goal is to do a full Ironman in the next couple years.”

After completing many races, Ravenscraft said all the races’ most rewarding part is finishing.

“In general, crossing the finish line is the best,” Ravenscraft said. “My first half Ironman was my favorite because my best friend and I did it together and crossed the finish line at the same time. It took me six hours and twenty-nine minutes. This race challenged me the most and it felt great to have that sense of accomplishment.”

Megan Bajor, English teacher: softball, tennis, racquetball

After having children, Bajor stopped playing in leagues, but continues to play sports for fun.

“I have played softball in leagues in Barrington, Cary, and Arlington Heights. I have played tennis in Barrington and Lincolnshire,” Bajor said. “Ever since my daughter turned one, I stopped playing in leagues because it’s hard to juggle work, kids, and sports. But I truly enjoy playing sports and have played softball, basketball, and tennis since I was a kid, so now I will just play whenever I get a chance.”

When Bajor has time, she usually plays sports with her family and friends in the neighborhood.

“During the school year, I usually will do something right after school,” Bajor said. “It can be playing at the neighborhood tennis courts or just playing catch with anyone. During the summer, I don’t have a set time and I usually play a lot more.”

Because she has played sports her whole life, Bajor said she enjoys coaching kids’ sports too.

“I have coached my daughter’s softball team until she stopped playing, and I have also coached tennis and basketball teams,” Bajor said. “Right now, I enjoy developing young players’ basketball skills, and I love being a part of my daughter’s athletic experience. It’s nice to play and coach the same sport. You are able to get both sides and I really enjoy it.”

Out of all the memorable moments playing and coaching sports, Bajor said she remembers the first time she met her husband while playing softball.

“My softball team was playing and my mutual friend’s husband was borrowing something from his friend, who happened to see me,” Bajor said. “I thought he was a boyfriend or a husband of someone else on the team, but that was not the case.”

After all the years playing sports, Bajor said she does not enjoy only one sport or moment, but truly enjoys sports as a whole.

“I could not imagine not playing sports. I love to play and coach and it’s a big part of me,” Bajor said. “Whatever sport you play, you get the similar sense of enjoyment and physical release of stress. I just love everything about sports, especially the competition.”