2001 Bucyrus YMCA Team & Individual

Triathlon

Where : Bucyrus Area YMCA

When : Saturday, May 26, 2001  9:00 A.M.    

 It was a COLD & RAINEY Saturday morning.  The temperature was 53 degrees with the rain and wind making it seem like 43 degrees.  The Seneca Aquatic Klub team began filtering into the YMCA after a 40 minute drive through the blustery weather.  Spirits were high even though the weather didn't seem to cooperate.  Most everyone had pre-race jitters anticipating the cold bike & run about to come their way!!

The race began with a 500 yard swim in the YMCA pool which was the warmest part of the triathlon.  Nick Weber led the 1st wave of six out of the water through the doors into the driving rain and wind.  He was followed shortly after by Zach Foster and Dan Henry. Leading the 2nd wave out of the water were David Wahl and Nicole Martien.

The bike portion of the race was a 12 mile (seemed like 20) trek.  The bikers had to face the driving wind and rain coming at them through most of the bike course.  There wasn't a dry spot on anyone on the bike course!!  Nick Weber and Zach Foster, having been in the first heat, were the first to arrive back for the run.  Coming in third was  Coach Dave Martien who tagged up with his daughter Nicole for the run.  Following shortly after him was Bobby English and David Wahl who each completed the grueling bike course with amazing strength and determination.  Bobby tagged up with Tyler Merry for the run while David went on to complete the run as an individual competitor.  Frozen fingers made it a difficult transition.  Unless you had running shoes with velcro straps it was very difficult to make this transition with frozen fingers tying shoestrings!!

Everyone seemed to do very well with the run.  All the participants were anticipating it to be difficult but after having endured the bike course the run seemed to be a "breeze" for most.  Difficulty came from what is called the "brick" session which is the transition from bike to run.  The legs feel like "bricks" for the first 1/4 to 1/2 mile.  Once again Nick Weber led the first wave into the finish followed shortly thereafter by Zach Foster, David Wahl, Nicole Martien, and Tyler Merry.