Burley Idaho Olympic Spudman - Brett

This morning was a crazy one. We woke up around 5:45am, ate breakfast and headed to do our last minute race preparations. Dad drove us to our bikes, where we placed our water bottles. We then drove to the area where the swim was going to start, 1 mile up the road. I got to the water and they were just starting the first heat of elite racers. I had 10 minutes to get through the bathroom line and get my wetsuit on. Deni was there to help me and she zipped up my wet suit about 4 minutes before they sent my heat down the river. I got into the water, which was surprisingly warm.

I started in the second heat, which started at 7:10am sharp. My dad had parked the truck and headed down to get some pictures of me starting the swim, however not being able to tell which one I was of the 183 people starting in my heat, he took some general pictures, attempting to get me in one of them.

After searching for a while, I found myself.

Since the swim start and finish were 1 mile apart, it was impossible for Dad to take pictures of my swim start and then get down to the end of the swim before I got out.

The bike route was also away from most of the crowd areas, however Dad caught this picture of me as I was coming in the end of the bike ride. I was attempting to get the last drink before I started on my run.

The run was very difficult for me. For starters, prior to this race, the longest distance I had ever run in my life was about 3 miles (from other Tri's.) This race was 6 miles. I just didn't train for the run. About half way through the run, my knees were killing me and at that point, I had to push through the pain to finish. During the run and the bike when people would pass me, they would say "Come on Texas". (Because of my Texas shirt.)

Here I am coming across the finish line. Note, the time is 10 minutes off, as I started in the Second heat. So if you take off 10 minutes from that time, that is my official time. 2 hours 46 minutes and 38 seconds

I got a little metal as I came across the finish line.

Ryan and Sydney had been waiting (not very patiently) for Deni and I to cross the finish line with Grandma and Grandpa Berger. Ryan ran out to say hello to me as I came across.

Dad thought he would be funny and snap this picture. Let me explain the reason I'm running the wrong way. I was up watching for Deni to come across the finish line and I saw a lady about 50 yards away stumble and almost fall. A guy that was close to her went out and put his arm around her and was helping her down to where I was. As they came closer, I decided to go up and help him. When I got close, the man helping the woman asked me to run and get an ambulance. Apparently she had passed out completely. I ran down to the finish line and got someone to get some medical personnel to follow me back up to the woman. Some medical personnel came to her and took her away on a stretcher. She was within 50 yards of the finish line. Not sure what happened to her.

Finally, Sydney holding my metal.

Brett's Official Time for the Burley Spudman Olympic Triathlon

Swim (1 mile)
00:17:44.730
Transition from swim to bike
00:03:55.530
Bike (25 miles)
01:12:50.740
Average Bike speed
20.6 MPH
Transition from bike to run
00:02:14.510
Run (6 miles)
01:09:53.270

Total Time
02:46:38.78

Burley Idaho Olympic Spudman - Deni

This was Deni's first Olympic distance Triathlon. Deni started at 7:40am, in the 5th heat. She was in the 25-29 female age group and her race number was 968.

Here are Deni's official results.

Swim (1 mile)
00:21:39.110
Transition from swim to bike
00:03:53.740
Bike (25 miles)
01:19:27.690
Transition from bike to run
00:02:37.610
Run (6 miles)
01:10:02.820
Total
02:57:40.970

Deni getting out of the swim, starting her transition to bike.

Once out of her wetsuit, she got on her bike gear and headed out for the 25 mile bike ride.

2 hrs 46 minutes and 38 seconds later, Deni crossed the finish line.

38.6 miles and Lagoon

I started out the day with a 38.6 mile bike ride. I enjoyed my ride up Payson canyon on Saturday so I decided to do it again today. This time I did it alone as well as I rode up Payson Canyon about 3 to 4 miles more up the canyon than I did on Saturday. I rode for just over 2 1/2 hrs. It rained on me as I went up the Canyon, so I had to be really careful coming downhill as I didn't want to crash.

When I got home we got packed up and went to my parents house to give Deni a blessing. After the blessing we went to Lagoon.

The kids loved Lagoon. They rode just about every ride they were tall enough for.

The kids riding in a car at Lagoon.

The kids were great today. Ryan would take Sydney's hand and hold it while they were standing inline and make sure she got onto the ride. It was a rare (and cute) event that happened over and over today.

Of course, can't forget the carousel

One of the last rides we (Ryan and I) rode was Colossus. Colossus has 2 loops that you go upside down. Ryan had been talking about it all day. Apparently a cousin told him it was really fun. However when we got closer to he ride and he saw what happened on the ride he started to get cold feet. I made a deal with him, if he got on the ride, I'd give him a dollar. Ryan said, "I don't think it is worth it." so I then said, "ok I'll give the dollar to Sydney" I didn't have to say anything more, he took the dollar and we got in line. As we went to get on the ride, Deni said, just don't sit in the very front. Of course, we ended up sitting in the very front. (I had never gotten the chance to ride upfront, so decided it was a good time to take the opportunity.) Ryan was quite nervous until we went upside down and then he was giggling and really enjoying himself.

We left just in time. As we got to the car, it began to rain very hard. As we drove home there was quite the lightening storm.

Deni is off to girls camp tomorrow.

34.5 miles, family swim, and Ryan Shupe

Today was a great day.

I started off the day at 7am with a bike ride with a neighbor. We headed out towards Salem, not knowing where we were going. We rode through Salem into Payson and my neighbor mentioned he had ridden up Payson Canyon and enjoyed it, so we turned at the Peteetneet building and headed up Payson Canyon to try it out. We rode past the Boy Scouts Camp Maple Dell, through the S curves and up to the turn off to Maple Lake. Ended up being just over 7 miles or so up Payson Canyon. The ride up wasn't that hard but was slow. I saw two deer come across the road while I was riding up. When we turned around at the Maple Lake turn off, we flew down the canyon. Matter of fact we caught a truck with a horse trailer and had to pull off and wait for him to go down as we were going much faster than he was. Once we were out of Payson Canyon, we turned back towards Spanish Fork and rode home. My total ride today was 34.5 miles and it felt great.

After I got home, Deni and I washed the van (in preparation to put it up for sale.)

As a family we went up to the Orem Rec center. Deni swam laps while I played with the kids. As always, Sydney is fearless in the water. Ryan, on the other hand, it still afraid of any water over his head. If he can touch, he is fine, otherwise, he freaks out. Both kids are scheduled for swimming lessons starting at the end of the month, so we will see what happens. Hopefully Ryan can overcome his fear of water and learn to swim.

After swimming, we came home to shower and clean up. We then went to Cafe Rio for dinner and then to the American Fork Steel Days Big show. The Big show was Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band, Peter Breinholt, Jon Schmidt. We are big fans of Ryan Shupe and haven't seen them since they went to Nashville and got signed by a record label. They still put on a good show.

After the show, and I mean immediately after the show, the fireworks started. Sydney was pretty excited about the fireworks.

We got home about 11:15pm or so. A late night for the kids but we had a great time as a family.

Of course, we also has to watch the hightlights of the Tour de France for Stage 7 before we went to bed.

Mile Swim

I swam again today. I swam mile in 27 minutes 39 seconds.

Indoor Swimming

I swam again today. Did 1 mile in 27 minutes 39 seconds.

31.6 miles

I left the house this morning at 6:30am headed out on a bike ride. Deni suggested that I ride into Springville and ride up Hobble Creek Canyon. I started riding into Springville and decided to ride into town. As I was riding into town, I called Deni and told her I was going to just ride into work as I was so close to Provo, but then realized I didn't have my wallet or my badge, which means I couldn't get into the building if I tried this early (nor would I have anything to eat for lunch.) So I kept riding. I rode into North Springville, then headed back and rode by Teresa's house. Teresa's house has a big hill next to it and on the way down I got going 37 mph without pedaling.

I continued on the Tour de Berger up Center street to mom and dad's house. They had their office door open so I yelled as I rode by. (no response at 7am) Next I headed into Mapleton. When I was leaving Mapleton, I was riding down hill on Main Street and resting a bit and getting a drink when I heard "LEFT". I looked to my left and there were 2 guys riding and they flew by me. I was riding at about 19mph at that time and decided to kick it up a little and catch them. I quickly caught them and rode about 18 inches off the back tire of them. It is amazing how different it is riding with someone and being able to draft off them. We rode for about 3/4 mile at 26mph.

As I turned back to Spanish Fork, having ridden about 16.5 miles, it began to rain. It was nice to have the rain while I rode. I finished by riding out to Highway 6, riding past the Spanish Fork Golf course down to Spanish Fork Main and then home. I was able to do 25 miles in 1 hr 29min and 45 seconds.

When I got home, I had ridden 28.6 miles. A good morning ride.

After work, Ryan wanted to go on a ride, so we took a 3 mile bike ride bringing my total to almost 32 miles in one day.

Of course, we watched the Tour de France highlights tonight as well.

2.5 weeks left until Spudman

Today I swam 3/4 of a mile in the Provo pool during lunch. Only 2.5 weeks left to the Spudman.

First bike wreck

Today I had my first official bike wreck on my road bike. I feel dumb as it shouldn't have happened, but it did. I left my house about 6:15am this morning and planned on riding up the canyon a ways. As I was leaving the neighborhood, I came to a stop sign. I slowed down to almost a stop and turned sideways a little bit. Just then a large gust of wind hit me and I didn't have time to react and get my feet out of my pedals. There I was, laying on my left side in a little pain from the fall but more embarrassed than anything. You would think at 6:15am there wouldn't be anyone around to witness this, but there was a car that drove by right as I fell.

I know the story sounds a little far fetched, but it happened. Every morning in Spanish Fork we have huge winds. I never thought they would be hard enough to cause me to fall over on my bike, but they did. I'm sure the wind gusts are at least 15 mph, if not more each morning.

Other than having a bad start to a bike ride, I had an enjoyable ride. I set off planning on riding about 15 miles, however I end up riding 25 miles. I went to Salem, UT and around Spanish Fork. I was wearing sleeves and pants as I left, but quickly had to remove the long sleeves about halfway through my ride as I was in Salem (with no wind) and the sun had finally made it over the mountains.

It felt good to get out early and ride in the morning.

A new leaf

Yesterday I decided I'd turn over a new leaf and start being a little more honest with myself. So I decided that I will wake up at 5:30am each morning and a few things.

1. Read the scriptures
2. Exercise (bike Tuesday and Thursday in the am)
3. Swim Monday, Wed and Friday.

Monday, Wed and Friday I'm going to work out in the yard or do some house work from 6am until 7am.

4th of July

I didn't have to work today. In the past, I've always worked the 4th of July. It's always nice to have extra money, but I decided I wasn't going to work this year. Instead of working, as a family we went to the Provo Parade down University Ave in Provo. Unless you sleep out the night before, you aren't getting a front row seat (with shade) to the Parade.

We showed up about 10 minutes before the parade and were able to find a great place to watch the parade in full sun.

The kids liked the parade. I enjoyed the fly over by the Air Force. There were 4 jets then a huge bomber plane. We left before the parade was over, but we were able to see quite a bit

Here is a pic of Ryan at the parade.

Here is a pic of Sydney at the parade.

After the parade we went home and got ready for the rest of the day. As a family (Berger's) we were all meeting at my parents house for dinner. We went over about 3:30pm and dropped the kids off and took a 25 mile bike ride. We left from my parents house and road up Hobblecreek Canyon about 12.5 miles, then turned around and came home. You would think the downhill ride would be fast and enjoyable, however the wind was blowing up the canyon and it was 100 degrees outside, so wasn't quite as fun or fast as I would have liked it to be.

On the way down a car came up beside Deni and the sideview mirror brushed Deni's arm. I think I would have kicked the car, if I could have thought that fast, but it wasn't me, it was Deni. The ride was good but the way too hot to be riding.

We ate as a family at Mom and Dad's then visited and the kids played with their cousins. We taught the adults a card game called No Peeky. It was fun to visit and play. After it got dark we went to a local school to light fireworks and sparklers for the kids.

Syd and her sparkler.

Ryan and his sparkler.

Ryan's Loose Tooth

Last night we stayed at the Hyatt in downtown Albuquerque, NM. The hotel was really nice, however it was in a "creepy" part of town (as Deni said).

We started on the second and last leg of our trip home to Utah.

We stopped in Moab, Ut for dinner and spent about an hour walking around looking at the various shops to help break up the drive.

After dinner, Ryan mentioned his tooth was loose and that it was ready to come out. Here are a few little videos of me trying to help him get it out as we drove home. I love this first little video, but don't miss the first 2 seconds.



Again, Ryan telling me it's okay to help him with his tooth but he changes his mind once I started videoing it.



Finally Ryan let me give it one good push. After I pushed it, it was barely hanging on.



I took a picture of Ryan's mouth to show him the tooth was barely holding on and Ryan pulled it out after seeing the picture.

We got home to Spanish Fork about 9:30pm. It had been a long day and it was good to finally be home.

Heading home

We left Gilmer, Tx around 6:15am (Texas time) and started the long drive home. We had hoped the kids would go back to sleep, but only Ryan slept after getting the kids into the van. We had a 12-14 hr drive ahead of us on our way back to Albuquerque, NM.

Nothing exciting on the drive.

We stopped in Albuquerque, NM for the night. Deni's uncle, aunt and Grandmother also stopped in Albuquerque, NM so we met up for dinner to visit with them. They only had a 5 hr drive until they got home, we on the other hand have at least 11 more hours in the car tomorrow.

Bishopric - "Bishop Rick"

Today was Fast Sunday. We visited one of the LDS wards in Gilmer, TX.

During the beginning of church the Bishop said something about the Bishopric. Ryan leaned over to me and said:

"Dad, that is cool, the Bishop has the same name as the our Bishop in Springville, Bishop Rick".

I laughed and wrote it down and handed it to Deni. We both got a chuckle out of that.

After church we got changed and went to meet Deni's Biological Aunt's. Deni's biological father, has 2 sisters. Jennette and Alisha Foote. Deni met them for the first time a few months ago when she went back to Texas for her Biological Grandmother's (Nelda) funeral. We had a good visit with them. This was the first time they had met myself, Ryan and Sydney. We had dinner, looked through old pictures and had a good time getting to know each other.