Team Offutt triumphs during annual triathlon

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matthew Opdyke
  • 97th Intelligence Squadron
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Twenty one Team Offutt athletes braved chilly temperatures Oct. 24 as they swam, biked and ran during the Offutt Triathlon. 

During the three-stage event, athletes swam 400 yards, pedaled 12 miles and finally ran 4 miles before crossing the finish line. The triathlon began in the Offutt Field House swimming pool and continued afterward with multiple laps on the road to the East Gate and back to the field house. 

The men's competition champion, Capt. Dan Schreck, an RC-135 pilot in the 343rd Reconnaissance Squadron, sprinted across the finish line in 1 hour, 10 minutes and 48 seconds. 

"This is what I enjoy doing in my free time," he said. The captain had completed eight triathlons prior to Offutt's event including Olympic and Half-Iron Man triathlon events. 

Although Captain Schreck said his biggest challenge during a triathlon is always the bicycle stage, he managed to put the pedal to the metal and cross the finish line first in his category. 

The women's competition champion 2nd Lt. Lindsey Myhr, 55th Maintenance Squadron Accessory Flight commander, started out the event strong, beating four men to the next stage. 

"The bicycle was my biggest obstacle," Lieutenant Myhr said, but she was able to tough it out and 12 miles later she donned her running shoes and began the four mile trek on foot. She was first to sprint across the finish line in the women's single category with a total time of 1:16:27. 

Shivering from the cold, Lieutenant Myhr explained that there are four basic types of triathlons; the Sprint, the Olympic, the Half Iron-Man and the full Iron-Man. In June 2009, Lieutenant Myhr completed a full Iron-Man as a personal challenge, in which she swam 2.4 miles, bicycled 112 miles and ran 26.2 miles. 

To prepare for such a daunting challenge, the lieutenant trained several times a week with a consistent variation of swimming, cycling and running. 

Each athlete seemed well prepared for the competition and completed the race with an apparent sense of confidence. 

The event involved many more than just the 21 competitors. More than 30 people were there to volunteer and support the tri-athletes and help ensure their safety, according to Staff Sgt. Shirlnita Newsome, Offutt Sports Director and event organizer. 

While many Team Offutt members were just waking up, Sergeant Newsome and her team were cheering on the competitors as they crossed the finish line. 

"The Offutt Triathlon was a success; 21 athletes showed us that it could be done," she said. 

"Tri-athletes are a friendly group of people," said Lieutenant Myhr, "and I encourage everyone to go out and try it." 

People interested in competing in a triathlon will have the opportunity on Aug. 1, 2010, during the Omaha Triathlon. For more information, visit www.omahatriathlon.com. (Sergeant Opdyke is a volunteer writer in the 55th Wing Public Affairs Office)