06/02/2023
The PTC Board is proud to recognize Dr. Gary Sauer as PTC’s Member of Month for May. Gary is consistently a top age group finisher at the local and national level in both triathlon and running events. In May alone, Gary won his age group at the Pittsburgh Half Marathon and, two weeks leter, the Spring Mighty Moraine Man Olympic Triathlon. Gary has participated in the USAT Nationals a number of times, including a 3rd place age group finish in Cleveland in 2019 along with recognition as having the fastest run split among all Grand Masters (>50 yo) competitors. At the Milwaukee USAT Nationals in 2022 Gary finished in 7th place and earned the privilege to represent the USA at the ITU World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain later this year.
We love watching Gary race in his PTC kit and wish him the best this season, especially in Milwaukee (USAT Nationals) and Spain (ITU WC). Buena suerte Gary!
PTC Member of the Month - May 2023
Name: Gary Sauer
Age: 63 (64 in triathlon years)
Occupation: Family Physician
Neighborhood: Wexford
Q: When & where was your first triathlon?
A: Silver Lake Triathlon summer of 1984, actually swim-run-bike
Q: Do you have a favorite local race?
A: Always liked the Edinboro Tri, gonna miss it.
Q: How long have you been a member of PTC?
A: 4 yrs
Q: What is your favorite thing about PTC?
A:.In an individual sport, it’s still nice to be in a group of friendly people
Q: What has been your favorite triathlon experience?
A: Won the run segment for the grand masters (and a nice little bike computer) at the Standard Distance Age Group National Championships 2019, 3rd for the age group too.
Q: What are your plans and goals for 2023?
A: Finish the races I start without injury. I’m looking forward to Edinboro, North Park Tri, Nationals in Milwaukee, and the ITU World Championship in Pontevedra Spain. Also doing the National Senior Games for the first time this year. May get another 5 k or 2 in as well.
Q: Triathlete(s) that you admire or enjoy following.
A: Fortunately, there are so many people to look up to in the triathlon community. There is the talent of people like Gwen Jorgensen, the determination of Kristen Blummenfelt. There are the local legends like Joan Wolfe, Ed Schmiech, Joella Baker, and others who in addition to being talented athletes, are first to help others start and enjoy the sport.
Then there’s Rudy Garcia-Tolson. To him I need to tip my aero helmet. I first heard of him in the 1990’s. As a 10 yr old he ran a mile in about 8:00 or so… on prosthetic limbs despite bilateral above knee amputations.
Q: Do you have any advice for novice triathletes?
A: Focus on having fun with training and racing. Recover and come back after overuse injuries. Enjoy the sport as a healthy part of your life.
Q: Other information that you’d like to share. (e.g. hobbies, family, philosophy, etc)
A: I was blessed with good physiology and biomechanics and started racing in high school- swimming and track. In college, I was partying… I mean studying too much to compete. After that, I figured I needed to make a change and started training again in med school. I didn’t stop, just had to limit the long runs during residency, raising kids, building a medical practice, etc.
Unfortunately, my marathon pace is now my half marathon pace. Still at 63, I still have a half marathon pace, so I really shouldn’t complain. There are more age groups behind me than in front of me, and the stopwatch is getting faster every year, but I’m still having a blast with this. I’m finding that the excitement of racing still feels like racing did when the times were faster.
My wife has been extremely supportive, and a good training partner too! I do more bike miles riding our tandem with her than I do on the tri bike.
PTC has been a nice group to be a part of. Every race is a chance to connect with old friends and meet new people.
I really enjoy helping out at the kids race in North Park. I want to help young people start something that can be such a positive part of their lives.
To all of the PTC members, good luck in your training and racing this year!
