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