Lance to race Kona- Rumor...

This has to be a rumor, but we will see.  Here is what Lance had to say about Kona in Runner's World interview given a few weeks ago:

Is an Ironman in your future?
No. Well, I shouldn't be so quick to say no. It's certainly not in the foreseeable future. Primarily because I have so much respect for that sport and that event. It would require a lot of training and a lot of different types of training that I'm not sure that I can live up to. I don't think you can phone in the marathon, and I certainly don't think you can phone in an Ironman, and I simply don't have the time or really the interest to go train for it right now.

http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/microsite/article/0,8029,s6-239-420--12545-1-1X2-3,00.html

I also read somewhere that he has committed to do the NYC Marathon again this year on Nov. 2.

Everyone like to claim his roots lay in triathlons ......

He only did it through his teenage years before going off to try for the Junior National cycling team ..... cycling has always been his passion and his root sport.

The only reason he would do it is to keep his face and mainly his foundation in the spotlights.  Unlike Lemond and other retired cyclists, LA is working hard to keep his name in the forefront so that he can capitalize as much as possible to raise money for the LA Foundation.  Not that there is anything wrong with that at all!!!

But the reality is, he is not really putting forth a lot of effort or giving the races he's participating in enough credit.  Talking with others about it at Boston he really came off as "I'm here to reap the benefits of exposure" and did not really care about the traditions and "importance" of running Boston to many runners.  He was given an elite number and got to start with the elite men, then ran a 2:50 with an entourage ....... If he really respected the race and appreciated being there he would have been with the masses in the 2nd corral where the rest of the people who ran the same sort of qualifying time as him started.

That is why I respect Laurent Jalabert so much more ......... he ran marathons to stay in shape and then got into tris.  He actually took the time and effort to QUALIFY to get to Kona and then backed up his KQ time with another outstanding effort in Kona.  That is someone who was there because he wanted to, NOT because it would keep his face in the limelight.

Granted, I would like to see him qualify like anyone else but don't they generally give slots to a few special interest stories every year?  IMO, if it brings exposure to the sport why not.  I would think the TV broadcast would get huge ratings. 

I think if he does race we need a friendly wager guess of his times and if they will be competative.

I'm kind of annoyed with Lance that he texted all these other people about it, besides me.  He always assured me I was the only one.   

I personally would not have an issue with Lance running an Ironman and qualifying for the World Championships in Kona.

My one concern is the circus that usually follows him everywhere. Yeah, he does invite some of it, but his fame definitely has some unintended side effects. (That are definitely not good for the sport)

A friend of mine was in Corral #1 with Lance at Boston and just before the race started, some idiot papparazzi jumped in front of the corral to take photos of Lance starting his run.

Unfortuantely, the guy did not have a clue what 1,115 Sub-2:50 marathoners looks like coming at you at full speed. My friend ended up getting clunked in the face with a camera as the guy was trying to keep from getting trampled.

Lance certainly earned his bib in Boston but I think he should be taking a larger view of things and considering what his presence means. (And it is not always positive)

I think he's probably racing hard, but definitely not training hard.

It's not that he is or isn't training hard, or is or isn't pushing it in a race itself.  It (continues to be) his attitude that he puts out there.

My wife was watching the TV while I was on the bus to the start and waiting to go.  In the different interviews with him it was was always like "Nyah, I'm here, no big deal."  And talking with people in my corral there was not a single one that liked the fact that LA got an elite number and was in the front of the first coral.  Maybe everyone was just biter about his natural talent, or that he is a celebrity, but the mere fact that it came off as the whole thing treated as a "What's the big deal?" from him instead of taking the opportunity to live and experience the Boston adventure and relish in it.  You want people to care about you and the events you are using to promote your cause??  Then show some f-cking heart and passion towards it!

bryancd - 2008-04-28 2:17 PM From the press release: Santa Claus to race 2008 Hawaii Ironman Clearwater, FL - The World Triathlon Corporation is proud to annouce that Kristopher Kringle, known to millions of children around the world as "Santa Claus", will be racing in the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on October 11, 2008. "It was time to lose some of these unwanted pounds", says Kringle. "So many children look to me as an example, and in this time of rising obesity rates and heart disease, I just felt it was time to set a positive example." Not everyone in Kringle's family agrees. Mrs. Kringle was quoted as saying "Eat Papa, eat. Nobody likes a skinny Santa". With the addition of Kringle to the 2008 race field, WTA also announced a new age group for Men ages 2,000 years and older. Other venerable Ironman veterans were intriqued by the announcement. "It will be good to have someone older than me in the race," says Frank Farrar. Sister Madonna Buder was quoted as saying "I am not usually supportive of pagan entities, but he is also known as St. Nicholas, so he can't be all bad." ...ok, I stole this from ST.

You serious, Clark?