Brazier is a professional triathlon coach based in Wanaka and is normally analysing times, checking out form and planning training routines.
But come this time next month, Brazier will be on the start line of the Coast to Coast at Kumara Beach.
Entered in the one-day category, Brazier (37) said lining up in the event had always been an attraction for him.
"I think if you ask anyone that has been in a support crew for the race that is the hook for people to do it. I was in a support crew in 2011 and ever since then, I’ve wanted to have a crack at it," he said.
"But it has always had to be the right time. This year I decided it was the year. I was no longer working for Triathlon NZ, there was not a lot of travel, so decided to go ahead. I knew I would be able to have more consistency in my training."
Brazier said he was not physically finding the training too hard but it was a mental challenge and also balancing family, work and training, and general tiredness.
That led to early starts and late finishes most days. He starts most days with a couple of hours at the swimming pool, teaching athletes and then has a couple of hours when he can do his own training. Then he will spend much of the day reviewing programmes and analysing times recorded by athletes.
"The way it is now with all these athletes wearing the latest hi-tech watches, you can get all the information sent to you. Then you sit down and analyse it all, break it down and see whether they have set out what they want to achieve.
"It is the way of the future, the way things are going. I’m training athletes in Mexico, United States and Australia."
He did some training with his athletes he was coaching but being a competitor meant he had to be well planned and take the physical demands.
He had worked for Triathlon NZ for eight years but now just contracted to the organisation. He coached eight professional triathletes from all around the world and about 25 all up with many promising juniors under his tutelage.
Brazier said he would love to crack 13 hours for the Coast to Coast. Although that was a tough time to meet, he was training hard and had just spent the past few days training on Goat Pass, on the course, with 2019 winner Dougal Allen.
It is a busy old time for Brazier. His wife Jocelyn is expecting their second child in June. They already have a daughter Isabella (3), who has already assured her dad she will be part of his support crew next month.
"That’s great. It is a motivation for me, for my kids to see me competing, as I want sport to be a big part of their lives growing up. Them watching me competing can only help that."
