What's the big deal?

Others hear "triathlon" and they almost always associate it with IM Hawaii.  So that immediately makes them think you are insane.

For others, it is the thought of 3 separate sports combined and how intimidating that is.

You've gotta remember the mindset of the non-athletic.  They will always have an excuse as to why they cannot do something and will see those that do as crazy.

It's still on the fringe of mainstream sports.  It's an oddity to many.

I don't mind - let them think we are crazy.  Better than being a lemming...

Trooth.  I told people I was doing my first "triathlon" a couple years ago, and they assumed it was that.  They didn't even realize there were shorter ones, even LOCAL ones!  Go figure.

Most people have no idea there are different distances for tri...most associate it with Ironman dist and only vaugley know that it is a "long way". 

I think the wow factor within the sport for those that know is because we all understand the dedication it takes just to arrive at the starting line, much less finish it. 

I love the shorter distances so far...but I think HIM and IM dist can't be faked, i.e...you can't just decide to do these a day/week/month before...for the most part. 

I guess I have a different view point since I started running in third grade and have done many, many sports including "cross country 6-11 grade (so far) , swim team, cycling, soccer, baseball, bowling (avg 170, high 247), tennis, and basketball, Hiking, Backpacking (Philmont Scout Ranch).

 Unlike many people I guess, I can't stand it when I don't do anything.  One reason for that maybe because the Rams, Cardinals are not so good this year.

You must admit doing swimming, then biking, then running all back to back at one time does seem a little odd... Until you try it...

a. they are 3 sports rolled into 1

b. tell that to the new guy who just started exercising

c. MOST people don't DO triathlons. period.

 d. THEY DO NOT LAST 1 HOUR FOR MOST PEOPLE...especially that new guy

e. we ARE crazy!!

 Obviously, you could have done a triatholon when you were in shape, so because your out of shape it is a big deal, but then doing a triatholon in good shape is not a big deal?

Because for most of us regular tri folks, doing one, two or all of the sports did not come naturally.  My version of swimming was drinking beer in a pool, biking didn't exist and running only occurred when I was about to miss a flight.  I'm not GOOD at any of the 3, cycling comes most natural.  Running is a struggle and I'm just now seeing improvement - a year after first deciding to do a tri.

Oh, and 180+ ave and 269 high game.   I was a HS and Collegiate bowler for 8 years; and bowled on a National Qualifier team.  Bowling is a piece of cake.  Can we make that part of the tri?

my opinion is he's young and already sounds like an elitest.

 this is not good. he's already on his way to prickdom. sorry. but true.

 to most, completing a tri - even a sprint - is a HUGE HUGE deal.

like i said, come have this conversation in 20 years, after you have removed your head from your rectum as i had to do when i was your age. As life goes on priorities change and some things have more importance or are "bigger deals" than others. But like alot of young people, you know everything, it is all easy, especially when you are still suckling mom and dad's teats and have the answer to all the worlds problems, then you grow up and realize that you don't know doody, and have this conversation with someone half your age 20 years later. It is a vicious cycle i tell ya!!!

to answer you question, no, 20 years ago it would have not been a problem, and i would have thought the same way you do, refer to paragraph above. But then again in 1987 Triathlons were not really on the radar for most of the world yet and their were only 5 or 600 people going to Kona for the World Champs each year....oh and their was no internet for chat and support groups like this. Doing a Triathlon, regardless of what kind of shape you are in requires some sort of commitment, if you are in shape, then maybe you should strive to be competitive, for people out of shape, they strive to finish and accomplish personal bests and get into a better life style. To me and alot of other people, making that lifestyle change is a "BIG DEAL". For those in shape already, maybe doing an HIM or IM or winning their age group is their big deal. But regardless, to me personally, anyone in shape or not that toes the line in a race is a big deal, 17-77, Fat-Skinny Fast-Slow does not matter, to someone else they are a big deal.

When playing a ball game, people run around a few minutes, then stop for a few minutes.  Even in competitive ball sports, there are time outs and half times. 

In a triathlon, no matter how short a distance, one has to be good at 3 different sports.  Do those sports non-stop.  No teammates to relief you.  It's not easy. 

That said, if someone tells me he/she plays competitive tennis, I would also say "wow!". 

x2. I'm young (27) and have always been in good shape, but lemme tell you, my first triathlon was a BIG deal for me. And they seem like a big deal to all of my non-triathlon friends, even the ones who are runners or cyclists or play other sports, etc. We all work long hours, we all have responsibilities at home - we are all taking care of our own homes, doing our own laundry, cooking, running errands, etc. So trying to fit training into all of that is daunting to many.

So yeah, OP, it's a "big deal". I agree with Rudedog, with the "head in rectum" comment. Sheesh.

Just as an fyi - many, many people on this site started running/swimming, etc at an early age. And many many others played other sports throughout their entire lives. You're not "unlike many people" on this site. We all do triathlon because we don't like sitting around...

How old are you?  I ask this not to be condecending but I am guess you are relatively young and are a successful endurance athlete already.  If you don't think this is hard, train harder because it should be hard.  I was a 3 sport athlete in HS, played college football and was pretty good.  Every day was hard.  If it is easy, train harder.  The best of the best are those that have talent (which sounds like you) and train harder than anyone else (see, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, etc.).  You have the skills now hone them and let me read about you winning gold at the Olympics in 4 years!!!

Edit: I see you are in HS now.  Do me a favor.  Next fall go to the football coach and tell him you want to be either an offensive tackle, linebacker or defensive lineman.  Go through 2-3 weeks of doubles and tell me if that is easy.  We'll see how far your cross country training gets you.  If you do that you'll understand why triathlon is hard for me.