TRIPLE FEATURE
Cold weather is not particularly conducive to swimming, biking or running.
However, the Butler Family YMCA got around that by having an indoor triathlon Saturday afternoon.
Andrew McLaughlin, aquatic director, said that the event is a way for athletes to get rid of their winter habits and begin training for the warmer seasons.
“This time of year, athletes are getting excited for the summer,” McLaughlin said.
Participants in the event began by swimming 18 laps, followed by a 7-mile ride on an exercise bike and finished with a 3.1-mile run on a treadmill.
This was the third year for the event, and 25 people participated. The first year drew 17 competitors.
Heather Mikita and Josh Venderlic of Butler Township had never done a triathlon before, but they felt that it was something interesting that they could do together.
“We saw it as one of those bucket list things,” Venderlic said.
Additionally, they felt it was a nice escape from winter weather.
“I'm glad it's inside,” Venderlic said.
Both are marathon runners. Mikita hoped to finish in about an hour and Venderlic wanted to finish in 45 minutes.
This was the first indoor triathlon for Tim McLaughlin of Middlesex Township. His first triathlon, an outdoors one, was last year at Moraine State Park. He said he finished with a pretty good time.
“I think it was about an hour and 11 (minutes),” he said.
This year, he hoped to finish in less than one hour.
At 43 years old, McLaughlin could hardly be considered old, but he said he wanted to show his children that someone can age and stay active. He said that exercise is something that he enjoys.
“It's my stress relief,” he said.
Mike Grabowski of Butler Township enjoys doing triathlons occasionally, but he does not consider himself to be a serious competitor. He said he mostly does them to meet interesting people and stay in shape.“I do it for the social aspect,” Grabowski said.He said he does not keep track of how much time the race will take. At age 63, Grabowski could be considered an older competitor.“For me, it's just finishing,” Grabowski said.He will be participating in a half iron man event in June, and felt that this could help him train.Brooke Gilliland of Butler raced in last year's triathlon. It was her first one and she came in third. She felt that she would not do as well this year, as she is not in the same shape she was last year.Her boyfriend is turning 30 years old this year so the two of them are doing a unique activity this year.“We're doing 30 races,” Gilliland said.Saturday's event was race number three for the couple.David “Vince” Williams of Butler watched the event, but declined to participate.“I don't think I could,” Williams said.Not that sitting back and watching the race would be particularly boring.“They have some great competitors here,” Williams said.If he got in better shape, Williams said that he would not rule out being in a future triathlon.“I wouldn't mind to try it one time,” Williams said.
