WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON TRIATHLETES?

"Sports where someone from Trinidad or Finland has a chance to win a medal. "

You sound like one of these idealists that would have no one count goals and keep score in a pee wee football or soccer game so everyone can be a winner!

ah- rhythm gymnastics- that's right. Forgot the technical name for it. What is a trihackalon?

We just have way different opinions-

Triathlon is very competative IMO. So is cycling if you want another example of a sport that I bet we disagree on.

I'm glad you like us so much! And I like you runners. I like your skinny little legs, sunken chests, tiny arms, headbands, wrist bands, split shorts, mesh cut off tank tops, your walk/marathons, and fuel belts loaded with gu's, gatorade- all for a 5k! Gosh- do you think you are going to starve while you are out there? Tacky.

It's alright if you don't have the resources to get all the highend gear to compete in triathlon. You can still do it on a budget if you choose. You don't need a wetsuit to race the majority of the events the southeast or many places in the summer. You can even borrow one assuming you have any friends with one- even then- you can rent one from a shop. Races provide you a swim cap for identification/visibility. ALso keeps chlorine damage to a minimum. Heck, I can even mail you one of mine since you like them so much. Tri shorts are an expense just like running shorts and as are running shoes..... I don't wear gloves. My $160 bike shoes have lasted 3 years, going on 4- better return value than your running shoes. I have a cheap $30 pair of everyday sunglasses that I use. Bike was bought 6 years ago new- for $1200. Still works fine. Could have spend a lot less, but I had a little money burning a whole in my pocket. Just sayin.

can you mail me the wetsuit? very cold here.

I don't have a sunken chest, I have very large bosoms. does anyone wear a headband anymore? and wrist bands? that's like 1970's. no one uses gu in a 5k or powerbars.

and I can't swim - throw in $$ for swim lessons.

Don't even start to get in a conversation with Legally Blonde. She is a small town jock rider of Rob Myers (A good miler/1500 runner for the US).

Most of the people that encounter her cannot stand to get in a conversation with her because she spews over-the-top crap, always. Well that is just what I hear when people bring her name up in coversation (which is often but when it is you don\'t forget it, sort of cringe).

Let her live in her warm - positive world.

Personally,

I think the triathlons are a solid competition for those that would enjoy those types of things. Running is also a great activity, if you enjoy it.

There are clearly some great athletes in triathlons just as there are in the 1500 meters and down in track. Any sport at the top level you are going to see these type of athletes. There are has been/ never was runners and triathletes.

I personally think it is great that there is something that people can find to keep themselves fit, motivated and happy, whether it is running or being a triathlete.

Have a great holiday!

As long as you promise not to pee in it, I'll mail my wetsuit to you.

I'm going to need it back for Gulf Coast in May though. Come down to Florida for a vacation and watch. I think watching one could change your opinion on triathlon- You might even realize that poeple in all shapes and sizes and ages, just like running, do these things. Everyone has a story. But for the most part we compete for the same reason runners compete- WE have a passion for something- it just happens to be 3 soprts in one event (triathlon). We are doing something we like to do and trying to push ourselves.

I get motivated standing on the sidelines watching road races. I like doing stand alone road races. I like variety. I volunteer at some here in Atlanta- It's fun and good race karma. Just have never seen the need for bashing and that's how this worn out thread goes- It pops up once or twice a year. So, I jump in, I play along and make jokes b/c it's fun. In all seriousness, it does bug me to some degree that people are intolerant or I wouldn't be responding.

I think I just figured you out though. Besides resources or maybe interest, the biggest OTHER reason people don't give triathlon a try is b/c they say they can't swim. I guess the word 'Can't' will stop a lot of people in life. Don't worry though- if your bosoms are as big as you say they are, then they should keep you afloat.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Well said.

Thanks man- Happy holidays to you too.

(I didn't know I was 'up' against a legend (aka- legally blonde)around here.- I've got to bug out. I haven't done shit here at work in the last 2 hours and that just means I'm staying that much later to get it done.....)

tstuck wrote:

Not trying to build self esteem here and I don't beleive you don't know what a playstation is. If not, you aren't in tune with news and pop culture.

You forgot about the hilarity of table tennis or ribbon twirling or trampolen bouncing/synchronized swimming. I like track and field and that's what I watch the olympics for. But if you think that's were the money is, you are mistaken- It isn't in running or triathlon- it's the big sports like football, basketball, baseball, hockey. Still don't know what your point is.

Hey, Hey, Hey, let's keep things in perspective and leave ping pong out of it...

tstuck wrote:

Oh I forgot- by your standards, it has to be something EVERY person on this earth can do! If that's the case running would be the only sport......

I must admit, if it weren't for triathletes we'd only have racewalkers to make fun of and that would make our lives less complete.

Running is not a sport either. After all, folks with physical handicaps, severe deformations of the spine and lower body, and paralytic diseases cannot do it ergo, the lack of a level playing field for all disqualifies running as a sport.

So, there are no sports if you believe Legally Blonde.

Like a decathelete wrote:

if they could have made it as a runner, swimmer or cyclist; they would of..

Isn't there a top, sub 2:06 marathoner that was once a cyclist and triathelete?

Wasn't craig mottram professional triathelete quality (the answer is yes, he did an open race, beating out the time of all but two of the pros in the pro race)?

Sub-2:07....sorry. Not sub-2:06.

It's not that hard to be or beat a professional quality triathlete. Age groupers beat many of the pro's quite often. I think more recently the ITU has tried to make it harder to be a card carrying "Pro Triathlete" by having some semblance of qualifying criteria. (i.e., within a % of place and time of the winner, etc.) It used to be that everyone was a "Pro" even if the only swag they could score was a partially eaten Powerbar tossed to the side of the road during the bike leg...

It also matters quite a bit if it's a drafting race (I don't think that the amateurs can draft, but the pro's can in an ITU race). That makes a huge difference. It then simply becomes an ugly 10k with wet, awkward striding Speedo’s vying for supremacy while belting out a 32 minute 10k...

Maybe that's the reason for runners' scorn. I've met thousands upon thousands of pro triathletes but only a handful of pro pro runners...

one of the greatest endurance athletes of all was originally a triathlete...and his name was Lance Armstrong

here comes the bashing

Like RW, it's too easy of a topic to troll for response from all the easy targets who visit this board. How many times will people fall for the same obvious trap? Then again, I guess considering the number of people who regularly tune-in to "reality" teevee in this country kinda says it all........

I'm a former college running. I was successful and BCS conference school. Post college, I run recreationally. I'm not pounding tons of miles, but I'm still more fit than 99% of the people out there.

Since I've left college, I've met a few of the top level tri-athletes in my city. None of them were good enough to complete in college at any sport. A couple have tried to run with me. Just from discussions, they know nothing about real running. They are from the Jogger's World branch of the running world.

The thing that pisses me off about them is that they try to half step me. And when I match their pace, they half step me again. Ultimately they rig up and have to walk.

My conclusion, triathletes are people who aren't good enough to be competitive at running, swimming or biking, and this is their only chance to be good. And I just love to kick their ass running on half the training they do.

Tri-athletes you sux at running or else you would be doing it. Peace and stop talking crap, or post your track times. Oh wait. I get it, your times suck.

I can run sub 30 min 10ks and I have to say when I hopped into a sprint tri for fun this summer I fully expected to scorch many a banana hammock. But thruth is, I got my ass kicked by those fruity looking dudes. Well, some of them looked queer, about half of them. The other half looked like greek Gods. Anyway, man up and compete against these kooks in their own sport for a change. Sure I can whoop them in an open 10k, but they can whoop me just as bad at what they do well.

Q: What's the hardest thing about triathlon?

A: Telling your parents that you're gay.

Gee, I really couldn't tell from your comments that you're a tri-dork trying to build up the image of the participants in your sport. Greek Gods? Please. If you're really for real, which I really doubt, then post links to your 30:00 10K results and your tri results. But you won't because you're lying.

Running is obviously the harder of the three sports endurance wise, No doubt in my mind that any top level runner ,biker , swimmer (are there endurance swimmers?) could rape the best triathaloners in the world.

Just look at MOUNTAIN RUNNING.

Didnt those guys just get crushed by the first time mountaineer africans who were supposed to lose.