A young Stephanie Block participating in the Chicago Kids Triathlon. Provided photo.

For Stephanie Block, principal violist of the Sarasota Orchestra, being an elite musician is not enough. She also is an accomplished triathlete. This weekend, Block—along with a few of her colleagues at the Orchestra—will be participating in the St. Anthony’s Triathlon in St. Petersburg. Later that day, she’ll be playing in a concert for the Sarasota Orchestra. “That’s going to be tough, but it didn’t stop us from wanting to do this triathlon,” says Block.

Block caught the triathlon bug early. As a child growing up outside of Chicago, her parents, who are both triathletes themselves, got her into the sport early on, signing Block up for the Chicago Kids’ Triathlon at just eight years old. “I wasn’t a particularly great athlete as a little kid. I was probably the worst swimmer on my swim team and was just this tiny, shrimpy child,” attests Block. “But I enjoyed being active and was always inspired by my parents’ races and this Kids’ Triathlon became my summer activity every year.”

Block kept running through high school and her time at Julliard, before joining the New World Symphony in Miami. It was in Miami where she found Leanda Cave, a former pro triathlete, and began training in earnest with Cave and other coaches. Soon after, Block finished third in her age group in the Miami Man Triathlon, qualifying her for the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships in August 2022. Now in her third season with the Sarasota Orchestra, Block divides her time between her musical training and preparing for various triathlons, of which she plans to do two to three in 2026.

“Viola is my priority and triathlon is what I fit into my schedule—I make it work where I need it to so that I can keep it in my life. One of the reasons why I love triathlon so much is because it is not my career and I have a bit more of an objective view of it,” says Block. “You can’t pretend that you’ve trained really hard. There’s no hiding in this sport. I also find this incredible zen when I get on the course—I’m so focused on what I’m doing at that moment.”

St. Anthony’s Triathlon, April 24-26, 701 Bayshore Drive N.E., St. Petersburg

A young Stephanie Block participating in the Chicago Kids Triathlon. Provided photo.

To learn more click here