Winner #1 of the Battle At Midway, ‘08 Goals contest is Adriel Bracken. Below is Adriel’s story and ‘08 goals. Stay tuned for winner #2 of 4.

My name is Adriel Bracken and 08 will be my 3rd tri season. Three years ago I weighted 225 lbs, and at 5′8″ that made for one FAT boy. My boss and I decided to have a Biggest Loser Contest to lose the weight. I started running and planned to run a 5K. One of my buddies told me of a triathlon here in Cache Valley. I was nervous of the swim so I talked some buddies into a relay team. Well the gun went off and I was hooked. I immediately started looking up every race in Utah and planned out my next years schedule starting with Saint George. If I would have know what I was in for maybe I would have thought twice. I’m glad I didn’t because SG has become my favorite race. It’s more of a love hate relationship. My brother heard of my crazy ambition for self inflicted pain and signed up with me. The family came to watch and were sucked into the excitement and energy that we have all come to know as the spirit of triathlon. Whether it was watching a smiling 70 year old grandma, a 300 lbs guy gritting it out, or the tall streak known as B.J. Christenson, they have inspired us all.

So what are my goals for 08? Well it has been two years since I finished my first triathlon and since then my Dad, 5 brothers, 4 sisters, an Aunt, and my wife (who I am most proud of) have all signed up or finished a tri. My goal is get my whole family and as many people as I can to sign up for a tri, so they can also feel that sense of accomplishment and to better there lives. I love to see the change that happens when you push your body to new limits. When you can accomplish something you thought you couldn’t do. I have noticed a difference in my life and I can see the changes in others. Triathlon is my drug and I will push it as much as I can.

Popularity: 40% [?]