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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do..

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bmdugan95

Aug 20, 08 8:11

Post #1 of 76 (1317 views)

Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do..	Can't Post

So Jlo is doing a mini. So what? But I saw a commercial from some gym and it talked about how some guy is "doing a triathlon" Neither JLO or this commercial talked distance. So has triathlon, most likely sprints, become the 'it thing to impress coworkers and family members? Has it become 'the' coolest thing now to overtake marathon-ing when bragging at the water cooler?

So does this mean that doing any distance makes you a "Triathlete."

gleveq

Aug 20, 08 8:30

Post #2 of 76 (1268 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [bmdugan95] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Umm, it's been the "in" thing to do for a few years now.

Ask anyone who has 10 or more years in the sport................

G

It's a little like wrestling a gorilla.........you don't stop when you're tired.........you stop when the gorilla is tired.

Fleck

Aug 20, 08 8:38

Post #3 of 76 (1221 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [bmdugan95] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.

Actually, the in/it thing to do, is to do nothing!! I am guessing that 90%+ of the post-teen population in North America is almost totally inactive ie no physical activity of any kind.

Steve Fleck
steve@nineteenwetsuits.com
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com

ohiost90

Aug 20, 08 8:41

Post #4 of 76 (1197 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [bmdugan95] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

So Jlo is doing a mini. So what? But I saw a commercial from some gym and it talked about how some guy is "doing a triathlon" Neither JLO or this commercial talked distance. So has triathlon, most likely sprints, become the 'it thing to impress coworkers and family members? Has it become 'the' coolest thing now to overtake marathon-ing when bragging at the water cooler?

So does this mean that doing any distance makes you a "Triathlete."

I can't think why not. Did you have a distance or better yet, a time standard in mind?

bmdugan95

Aug 20, 08 8:41

Post #5 of 76 (1196 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [gleveq] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks....
Not what I'm talking about. I meant marathon was and still is the thing that untrained couch potatoes will use as there defining adult athletic accomplishment. But it doesn't stop there. There has been trickle down to doing 10k's and 5k's. They will brag about it like they are the only people training for the race. I'm sorry but finishing a 5k isn't something one should aspire to on a nationally broadcast commercial(a Jenny Craig ad I saw I think). My question was if Triathlon has come to that level. Where jokers who don't leave the couch, are doing these mini tri's, and bragging about it like they are the only ones.
If you do tri's or marathon alot, its like ok cool thats what you do. But first timers go on and on about it, and they expect pats on the back for being so special.

(This post was edited by bmdugan95 on Aug 20, 08 8:42)

brider

Aug 20, 08 8:41

Post #6 of 76 (1195 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [Fleck] [In reply to]	Can't Post

No. Actually their thumbs are getting great workouts, with all the video games and texting...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-racing member of Team Zoot/GU and part of the ST PowerCranks review squad

Fleck

Aug 20, 08 8:44

Post #7 of 76 (1162 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [bmdugan95] [In reply to]	Can't Post

So does this mean that doing any distance makes you a "Triathlete."

Why wouldn't it? If you swim/bike/run without stopping, it's a triathlon and you are a triathlete!

Steve Fleck
steve@nineteenwetsuits.com
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com

bmdugan95

Aug 20, 08 8:47

Post #8 of 76 (1150 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [Fleck] [In reply to]	Can't Post

so does doing one marathon in your life make you a marathoner? Is it like the title "Honorable" that once you accomplish it, for the rest of your life you are paid the same due?

matti58

Aug 20, 08 8:48

Post #9 of 76 (1144 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [bmdugan95] [In reply to]	Can't Post

"But first timers go on and on about it, and they expect pats on the back for being so special."

In the case of J-Lo, yes, I think she is straight up bragging and screaming for attention. But for a "run of the mill" first-timer, it's pretty damn exciting to be doing your first triathlon, whether it's a sprint, oly, or whatever. To them it is a big deal, so I think it's okay that they want a pat on the back now and then. Especially if doing a triathlon is the beginning of a lifestyle change (coming off the couch, ditching crystal meth, etc.)

bmdugan95

Aug 20, 08 8:51

Post #10 of 76 (1128 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [matti58] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ok, I can appreciate that, b/c lifestyle change is a big thing. But I feel like for some people, its one and done. Time to hang my hat on the mantle that I have done this one thing. I guess seeing the JLo spot kinda ticked me off, because there are pleny of mom's who do more, with less glitz, and do it all the time. (P Radcliffe)

go so slow

Aug 20, 08 8:55

Post #11 of 76 (1098 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [bmdugan95] [In reply to]	Can't Post

i'm sure it's more popular than it was 10 years ago and I'm sure most people start with a sprint. (don't we berate them on here for starting with anything longer?) many people even at the sprint level are one and done. whether they do it to check it off a list, brag to co-workers, or just because it sounds like fun is something i can't answer, but they all seem reasonable. I'm sure those and many other motivations are behind the growth of our sport. I don't know that it's overtaken the marathon as the "it" thing, but it's definitely one of the "it" things. Are they triathletes? We can call ourselves whatever we want, but by strict definition I think the term implies that you are continuing to do what triathletes do. Are they triathletes while training and racing even if they only complete one? Sure. Six months later if they're not still doing it then I supposed they're someone who has completed a triathlon. If sharing stories about that makes them happy then I'm cool with that. (And I'm sure the world will sleep more peacefully knowing that.)

Fleck

Aug 20, 08 8:59

Post #12 of 76 (1072 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [bmdugan95] [In reply to]	Can't Post

so does doing one marathon in your life make you a marathoner? Is it like the title "Honorable" that once you accomplish it, for the rest of your life you are paid the same due?

Where are you going to draw the line? With all due respect, you are getting onto a pretty slippery slope.

Yes there are people who are one-and-done types, but there are also many who go on to make running, tri, or whatever a regular part of their lives. Considering the looming health-care crisis in North America, I would think that anyone doing anything to improve their health and better their lifestyle, should be encouraged at every opportunity.

How about the reverse of this - I have not seriously raced a triathlon for over 10 years - yet people still think of and refer to me as a triathlete. I still think of myself as a triathlete. Is that something I am allowed to do? :)

Steve Fleck
steve@nineteenwetsuits.com
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com

obi-one

Aug 20, 08 9:00

Post #13 of 76 (1063 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [bmdugan95] [In reply to]	Can't Post

As Fleck said probably 90% of the population does nothing so to them a 5k is an athletic accomplishment, you add a tri of any distance to that and your the next Macca of your neighborhood. If you've been doing tris for a while sure a sprint is no big deal but we as triathletes make up a small percentage of people who workout much less the gen. population. This is not meant as a crack on sprint tris. Hell I get my ass handed to me regularly at them. What I mean is the time in training needed to complete one is no where near as great as a half or longer, and we all know that is where real tris start :^)
As far as aspiring to a 5k, if your 50lbs overweight and a couch potato you've got to start with baby steps. You can't win Kona if you can't run to the end of your block.
Anyway time to go train for one of them 5k marathons.

tigger

Aug 20, 08 9:00

Post #14 of 76 (1059 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [bmdugan95] [In reply to]	Can't Post

So, since somebody pointed out that celebs get their own transition area and group, I wonder if we could petition Dara Torres to sign up for the Malibu sprint as a "celebrity?" I mean, she's seen more TV and interview coverage in the last month than Lo-lo, right? Let's put Lo-lo in the water with a celebrity-athlete and see what happens. We could even give Lo-lo a 10 second headstart on the swim (let's face it . . . we WANT Torres to start behind her . . .)

catchmeifucan

Aug 20, 08 9:01

Post #15 of 76 (1054 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [bmdugan95] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The "in" thing to do for the majority of people is actually to "run a triathalon"
_____________________________________
jrboehmer.blogspot.com

Ironman: I'm hooked.

bmdugan95

Aug 20, 08 9:02

Post #16 of 76 (1050 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [Fleck] [In reply to]	Can't Post

You can only call yourself a triathlete ifyou post on ST ;-)
How is that??

non_sequitur

Aug 20, 08 9:03

Post #17 of 76 (1044 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [matti58] [In reply to]	Can't Post

whooow, wait... was I supposed to give up meth?

TriStrut

Aug 20, 08 9:05

Post #18 of 76 (1026 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [bmdugan95] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Yes - it is one and done for some people. So what? They tried and completed it, and for whatever reasons decided it's not for them. Kudos to them for trying something new and going outside their comfort zone.
_________________________________

Go that way really fast. If something gets in your way, turn.

stainofmind

Aug 20, 08 9:05

Post #19 of 76 (1024 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [bmdugan95] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I prefer the term "sprint" to "mini". I assume of course you used the term "mini" in order to demean sprints a little. I apologize if I'm wrong. There are a few out there even shorter than .25/15/5K (typical sprint) that are called "mini", and if she is in fact making a big deal out of doing a "mini", then I have to laugh a little, even though most of us started out small. Those things are like 200meters/10miles/1.5miles.

Sprints to me have become saturated with non-athletes, or just people that seems to be there just to finish. I'm not so sure you could make the same judgment about Olympic, half, or full. I don't claim to be fast (somewhere between front and middle-of-the-pack), but these folks do seem to dumb it down a little, even for me, and I don't consider myself a snob at all. I keep finding myself looking for ways out of conversations, or trying hard to not make what I do that noticeable to coworkers, etc. because of it. Part of the original appeal was to get away, now I'm surrounded.

As for what makes one a "triathlete", IMO, has nothing to do with the distance you race, but how/why you race.

sorelian

Aug 20, 08 9:06

Post #20 of 76 (1015 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [go so slow] [In reply to]	Can't Post

i'm sure it's more popular than it was 10 years ago and I'm sure most people start with a sprint.

I remember 10 years ago completing my first triathlon at White Lake in NC. It was held in the fall then...and I signed up about 2 months before (by mail) the event. Now they run it in the spring have added a 70.3 and if you don't have a quick wrist on the refresh button when the sign up goes live...you are apt to get shut out that night.

--------------
Pass the weak, hurdle the dead.

matti58

Aug 20, 08 9:06

Post #21 of 76 (1009 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [non_sequitur] [In reply to]	Can't Post

NO! I wasn't implying that.....don't get all crazy on me, now. Let's think about this: If you give up meth now, you are giving up the opportunity to smoke your teeth once they rot and fall out. Now, you don't want to be missing that little slice-of-heaven do you?

bmdugan95

Aug 20, 08 9:07

Post #22 of 76 (997 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [stainofmind] [In reply to]	Can't Post

mini to me means shorter than a sprint. I am not demeaning sprints. Heck, Im sure some people on ST think Olym is too short

fitzie

Aug 20, 08 9:11

Post #23 of 76 (983 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [matti58] [In reply to]	Can't Post

matti58 is right on. I belong to a tri team with people of all abilities, many who are first timers. This past weekend at a sprint we found one of the first timers at the start of the swim in tears. She was so scared and we encouraged her and gave her all the first timer swim advice. Cut to the end of the race. She finished with the biggest smile on her face.

She conquered a huge fear and accomplished something most people never will. Whether you want to officially call her a triathlete or not is beside the point. She did it for herself and no one will ever take that away from her. And who knows, maybe there is something else she has been afraid to do in her life and by doing a triathlon it will encourage her to beat that fear too.

"We thought that we had the answers, it was the questions we had wrong."
Bono

bmdugan95

Aug 20, 08 9:12

Post #24 of 76 (972 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [stainofmind] [In reply to]	Can't Post

As for what makes one a "triathlete", IMO, has nothing to do with the distance you race, but how/why you race.

I agree with that. Because, for example, if you are thinking about your 100m lap time in January, and its for an August race, I think that even if its your 1st, that is the mindset of a triathlete.

francesco

Aug 20, 08 9:13

Post #25 of 76 (968 views)

Re: Has "triathlon"become the it thing to do.. [bmdugan95] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have to applaud anyone's effort to get the butt off the couch. Also, more competitors will hopefully translate into more events/choices for "serious" triathletes :)

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