From Cyclist to Triathlete: The Journey of a Drums Local

Timmy Samec is preparing for the upcoming summer training season, which includes another entry into the Back Mountain Triathlon. A native of Drums and a graduate of Hazleton Area, Samec has identified the birth of his daughter as a primary new motivation for his pursuit of endurance racing.

Samec’s foundation in endurance sports began with cycling long before he transitioned into triathlons. During his youth in Drums, he spent his time riding his bike to visit friends and developed a fascination with the Tour de France and the Olympics.

The transition to competitive multisport racing occurred in 2010. Rob Gould, a mentor and friend who would later become a relay teammate, encouraged Samec to enter the Black Bear Triathlon.

Samec participated in that initial relay alongside Shaina, who was his crush at the time and is now his wife. This event set the course for the next 15 years of his athletic life.

The mental framework for Samec’s endurance success was built during his time as a competitive wrestler. He was a top wrestler at Hazleton Area and achieved Academic All-America status while wrestling at Clemson.

Samec credits the sport of wrestling with building a mental tenacity that is rare in other sports, a quality he leveraged to handle the demands of triathlon training and competition.

This toughness enabled him to maintain a rigorous racing schedule, occasionally competing in 10 or more races per year. His competitive peak included weekends where he would double up, racing an Olympic-distance event on Saturday followed by a sprint race on Sunday.

His commitment to the sport led to an elite achievement in 2016 when he represented the United States at the Age Group World Championships in Cozumel. This competition, formerly known as the ITU World Championships, was an honor he earned by finishing in the top five at the National Age Group competition.

Reaching the international level required Samec to endure grueling training protocols. He specifically noted the necessity of embracing brutal sessions, such as those referred to as Death Bricks.