Mertz muscles through Cozumel triathlon
Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter
Most people travel to Mexico to escape the cold, bask on the beaches and breaststroke over to the poolside bar.
But not Kevin Mertz. He just returned from Cozumel with his best placing at a world championship triathlon event.
Mertz finished 27th in the 40-44 Male AG Sprint in 1:06.18 during the International Triathlon Union event Sept. 15.
“Placing 27th and being the first Canadian in my age group is one measure of a successful year,” said the 40-year-old Mertz.
Mertz loves to train and loves to push himself to the limit, mentally and physically. Typically exercising eight to 10 times a week, Mertz covers it all as he hits the bike, the pool, the track and the weight room.
“I have a great group of friends who I run and bike with as often as I can which makes the workload very enjoyable,” said Mertz.
Mertz completed the 750-metre swim in 10:17; the 20-kilometre bike in 31:12, and the 5 km run in 21:06.
While not claiming he has a particular favourite of the three disciplines, Mertz said he enjoys hopping on the bike and exploring. He has also been known to take his bike with him everywhere.
“We often plan our vacations and camping trips around places that have paved roads so he can go out for a ride each morning,” joked his wife Jen. “We are heading out to Vernon (B.C.) this weekend and I bet his bike will be strapped to the back of our car.”
Although he has only competed at the international level for three years, Mertz has been racing locally and provincially for six years. He enters about four races a season.
This was his third world championship. He raced in London in 2013 and Edmonton in 2014. Mertz placed 13th in 2014 in the 35-39 Male AG Sprint in 1:09.06 and finished 33rd in London at 1:10.59.
Jen has only missed a few races throughout her husband’s career. She will often head out a few days in advance to get a mini vacation before the race starts. The couple brings their three kids along and makes a family trip out of it.
“I have enjoyed the support my family has given me, allowing me to compete. Although I have lots of supporters out there, my wife Jen is the one who feeds me, helps motivate me and deals with the tired, cranky, dedicated athlete,” said Mertz.
One thing that stood out about this race was the weather. When the starting gun sounded, it was a cool 27 C, and when he crossed the finish line it was a sweltering 38 C with 90 per cent humidity.
“That was fun for an Albertan,” said Mertz. “I did however have the heat and humidity accounted for in my race plan and was able to finish with a solid last 1 km push.”
Jen and her kids cooked like quesadillas in the heat watching Kevin compete, and said that the ocean water was so warm it wasn’t even refreshing.
“It was so hot we had to stay in the shade to cheer him on,” said Jen. “We planned out our day to go with places that had shade and plenty of water to drink.”
Jen manages the Strathmore Silver Sharks Swim Club and coaches kids 12-18 years old. Running the swim club for five years now, Jen acts as a coach for her husband, balancing his training and rest schedule, along with managing his diet.
“I have a pretty good understanding what he needs to accomplish in his training and how his body works in order to perform at his peak,” said Jen. “He can get a little stressed out during his time of rest before a race, but that is where I step in and reassure him that he is doing just fine.”
“I have so much love and respect for her (Jen). She is definitely our glue, my biggest fan and best supporter,” said Mertz.
Mertz has lived in Strathmore for 13 years and has taught for 13 years. Currently, he is an instructional coach for the Golden Hills School Division. In his spare time when not on a bike, he enjoys canoeing, hiking and watching his Edmonton Eskimos and Oilers. He also checked out the triathlon during the Rio Olympics this summer and watches all the races from the International Triathlon Union.
“Watching the best of the best, pushing themselves is very inspirational and entertaining,” he said.