Strathmore Tri-athlete to compete in London

Times Reporter

 

For Strathmore resident and junior high teacher Kevin Mertz, competing in triathlons has become a passion. He participated in his first 11 years ago, and he had to take a bit of a hiatus when he and his wife started their family. Now they have three young children and it is only in the past couple of years that he has begun to compete and learn more about being a tri-athlete.  

This past summer Mertz competed in a triathlon in Banff, walking away with first place for his age group. Because of that victory Mertz has been invited to represent Canada at the 2013 ITU World Sprint Triathlon Championships in London, England. 

“I am totally into it for the experience, I have no podium aspirations or anything like that because it’s so new I just want to go for the experience, and represent my country on the world stage,” said Mertz about the opportunity. 

In 2011 Mertz began a competitive season in triathlon, more to get a feel of it than anything else. It was in the 2012 season that everything began to come together. 

“I grew up swimming which is usually where people really struggle with triathlon or scares them off. I’ve always ran and have done marathons and that kind of stuff, and then got into this triathlon thing and went and bought a rode bike. It’s just the coolest thing, so I love that part of it too for sure,” said Mertz.

Over the past few years Mertz has competed in seven or eight different triathlons, and said he would happily do more if he could afford to and didn’t have small children at home. He trains every day. He runs only on some days, and others he combines his bike and swim workouts. He gets up at five every morning to train, or does some of his training after his kids are in bed which can be hard to do on his own. He would like to see a group or club created for people training, saying the extra support and motivation would be beneficial. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings he also swims with the Masters Swim Club at the aquatic centre.  

“It’s awesome to train with a group and so motivating. If there was other people interested in starting a triathlon club I would love to be a part of that,” said Mertz.

On swim-bike days he trains for four hours; short runs are about an hour and half but a long bike – long run can be three to four hours. 

“My wife, Jennifer, is an incredible cook so she keeps me very healthy nutrition-wise. I’ve got to make sure I get lots of sleep, everybody teases me about how much water I drink, hydration is huge and then making sure I give time every week to stretching and strength training,” said Mertz.

Tackling a triathlon can seem like a daunting challenge. Mertz advises people to “just start, just get out there and try it, that’s the most important thing is just get out there and try it.”

He said just try the Tri-Smore held annually in June, it’s short and easy and he encourages people to get out and try it and see if they like it. 

One challenge Mertz is facing, besides staying injury free, is he has to begin fundraising and finding sponsorship from people and businesses who are interested in sponsoring him for an individual race in London, and to help get him there. 

“There’s spots on my uniform that I can put sponsors’ logos on it,” said Mertz. 

Anyone interested in possibly sponsoring Mertz can contact him at kevinmertz@gmail.com.