Featured Athletes
Brian Shields, Triathlete
I have always admired endurance and off-road athletes. During and since high school I have been active in endurance sports - filling my free time running, hiking, and riding in the mountains whenever I could.
Serving in the military took me to remote corners of world and stinted my ability to ride until I came back to the West. The riding opportunities here are special. Cycling and off-road motorcycling in Idaho has spoiled me for life. In fact, my idea of the perfect day is good friends and long stretches of single-track.
In 2008, my family was hit with tragedy. My daughter, Sara, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 17. Sara was a special kind of runner who exemplified the fire and ability that we all admire in a true racer. Before she was a high school senior, she was already a five-time state champion in Track. Sara shared my passion for mountain biking and we enjoyed many father-daughter rides together in the mountains.
One of Sara's unrealized dreams was triathlon. Because of this and my association with Michelle (Performance High), I shifted focus to completing my first triathlon at the age of 44. With the help of new-found friends and some great coaching, I trained with Sara’s memory driving me. During this experience I met many new friends and learned a bunch about training and competing in triathlon. Overcoming years of bad habits in training and learning how to really swim right were some of the challenges that folks, like Matt (Therapeutic Associates) and Shannon (Flow Aquatics) helped me thru. On a cold rainy day in June, I crossed the finish line in Boise and Sara’s dream was accomplished thru my body and soul.
Past Year Highlights
- Southwest Idaho Desert Racing Association, Senior B Rider
- Silver & Bronze Finishes, Boise Ridge Riders – Idaho City 100 International Six Days Enduro
- 3rd in Age Group, Wild Rockies Mountain Bike Racing Series
- 2nd in Age Group, Knobby Tire Mountain Bike Racing Series
- 2nd in Team Category, Sawtooth Relay
- Race to Robie Creek
- Camel's Back Duathlon
- Hidden Springs Duathlon
- Multiple Running races
2008 Highlights
- Two-Time Top 5 Finish in Lightweight B Class, Southwest Idaho Desert Racing Association, Senior B Rider
- Boise Ridge Riders – Idaho City 100 International Six Days Enduro
- 2nd in Men's Corporate Team Category, XTERRA Wild Ride Off-Road Triathlon
- Knobby Tire Mountain Bike Racing Series
- Wild Rockies Mountain Bike Racing Series
- Camel’s Back Duathlon
- Hidden Springs Duathlon
2009 Highlights
- 1st in Age Group, National Enduro Series – Rock Pile Enduro
- Bronze Finish, Boise Ridge Riders – Idaho City 100 International Six Days Enduro
- Knobby Tire Mountain Bike Racing Series
- Wild Rockies Mountain Bike Racing Series
- Deschutes Dash Triathlon
- Ironman 70.3 Boise Triathlon
- XTERRA Wild Ride Off-Road Triathlon
- Camel’s Back Duathlon
- Hidden Springs Duathlon