What triathlon is "about" (Page 2)

Yes.  And, at the same time, it's not about any of those things.

Agreed. And on top of that, to say that another's "about" isn't legitimate is the height of disrespect.

Exactly.    

I think of it as a hobby. A lot of people don't know what I do until it comes up into a conversation like...

friend: "hey bro, want to head out tonight?"

me: "naw, feeling kinda tired. need a nap first"

friend: "dude, ur young and all...what could you possibly be doing to get u this tired..."

me: "i did [tough mudder] and I got hypothermia this morning" (the sunday event at big bear if you guys did it too...it was coooooolld)

friend: "wtf, what is wrong with you?" 

Except, insert the bracket with the correct triathlon race. 

muhahahahahaha....so so good...  +1

x2

I was going to write something deep up but everyone is going to have their own outlook on what triathlon means to them.  I'm a solitary yet competitive guy so the sport suits me well.  I'm sure it fits others for different reasons.

Awesome...destroying the competition while paying attention to your nutrition at the same time. 

I understand what you mean.  I enjoy the team sports as much as anyone but there is something about a long run all by myself that can't be beat.

I don't race to find some deep meaning in life or establish my self-worth., it's fun, it keeps me in shape and I like to push myself.  If triathlon ended tomorrow I'd move on to something else and not miss a beat.  Probably MMA.

What is most important is what triathlon is NOT about!

And kit tehs.  Don't forget them.

And babies.

Quote by Bryan,

I can assure you people who are fast are not thinking at all about people who aren't. They are simply doing their own thing just like everyone else.

I can see you point to a degree, those that are really fast, on the podiums, in the magazines will never know me or my name, I'm okay with that, but we the little people are usually the fast folks biggest fans, or in awe of what they just did, maybe set a new time record.  If they don't care about what we think, thats kinda sad.....

I know for me the biggest thing about Tri's is doing better than the last time, kinda like my coming back after a 10 year layoff from racing motocross, each race getting faster and stronger, yeah its fun having your compettition coming up to you and saying good race, man where'd you get so fast as your getting your trophy.

Tri is another form of competition that happens to be alot of work, and alot of fun, even as a newbie.

Scott

Thanks, I like this thought.  Those old profs know a thing or two.

For me it is the cross training I love. 

To quote the Olympics it is the thrill of victory (what ever victory that is for you) and mostly because I don't like running, it is also the

agony of the feet.

Well said.  Thanks.  That certainly strikes a chord from my post-50 view of things and I think it verbalizes a long-term goal... just to keep doing them as long as possible.  Keep the mind and body trained.  As I get older and more set in my ways, I kind of like the idea of getting stuck in a triathlon training rut :-)

Plus there's the old "a rolling stone gathers no moss".  I've lost 45 lbs of moss in 4 years of doing tris.  'Tis a good thing.

i put forth the idea it's about ogling hot chicks in tight swimsuits at the pool.

rawr.

I read the article last night and to me it seemed like the author wanted to punch alot of people in the face because they were asking about triathlon.  It was pretty amazing that was the attitude of someone wondering what triathlon is about.  I think that anger management would be a better activity than triathlon if I wanted to punch someone because they thought all triathlons are in Kona.

-Ken