When are you a "triathlete"?

Great question!  I will be in my 4th race this weekend and I feel very uncomfortable when someone refers to me as a triathlete.  In my mind - the people at the front of the race are triathletes.  I feel like the guy at the back of the race that "does triathlons".

It may be a minor difference, but I understand how you feel!  Can't wait to see what input you get from the masses!

As soon as you start training for a triathlon.

I know how you feel.  I keep thinking at the end of my first season with 5 or so tri's under my belt I will feel like a triathlete but then sometimes I think only HIM and IM are triathletes and I have no desire to go there.  I am a sprint girl and likely will be for a while.  Sorry, I guess I don't have an answer to your question

I considered myself a triathlete when I completed my first triathlon.

This question comes up periodically. To me, for years I swam competitively but never considered myself a swimmer. Then when I was running 6X/week, I never called myself a runner. Now I am doing triathlons but can't quite call myself a triathlete, even though that is what I am. It really only matters as much as you let it though :-) Take the "you are a triathlete" comment and enjoy it. There will be plenty of days when people say things less complimentary like "oh, you just did a mini triathlon..." when you busted your butt doing a race. :-)

I had my moment after triathlon #2. Anyone can finish a sprint with a little prep, and a depending on their fitness level, some amount of intestinal fortitude. But it takes something extra to do it again, making you a triathlete!

x2

For me it was when I crossed the finish line of my first race.  It was 96°F that day and as much as I wanted to walk. I didn't. Not one step. I felt like an athlete that wouldn't quit.  Not that there is anything wrong with walking. My second race I walked a bit going up a hill and had a way faster time.

I would have to say that if you consistently participate in triathlons then you can be classified as a triathlete.  Of course that begs the question what period of time does "consistently" represent? 

I would say at least a year, but that's just me. 

I thought of myself as a triathlete after a few races, and I was struck by the "bug". After illness and time away from the sport, I now just see myself as a person who enjoys this sport. I may train just as much, but I don't see myself in the role as a triathlete per se.An old friend of mine used to introduce me to her people as, here is my friend, she is a triathlon who does triathletes. It still makes me laugh.

I think i was a triathlete before my first race, once i was into a training program and my life started revolving around swim bike run, I think training is 95% of the sport and the hours i put into that training defined me as a triathlete much more than when i walked into the water for my first race.

I considered myself a "triathlete" as soon as I crossed the finish line of my first race. But only remain a "Triathlete" if I continue to train and particiate in more triathlons.

I considered myself a "triathlete" as soon as I crossed the finish line of my first race. But only remain a "Triathlete" if I continue to train and particiate in more triathlons.

I still don't consider myself a triathlete (been doing them since 2004 though).  I'm a cyclist who likes to run, or a runner who likes to cycle, but I am NOT a swimmer. 

Funny thing is, I never thought I'd consider myself a runner, never mind a 3x marathoner!

x2.  Going back after you've completed one.  Doesn't matter to me if it's a mini-sprint or an Ironman.  Everyone is at a different level, but we all love the sport.

A friend who was a Jesuit priest told me of a part of his training at Seminary was to tend a garden. This was to teach him to focus on the moment. The instruction was "Do what you are doing".  I use that myself and extended it a bit to "Be what you are doing".

Do I consider myself a 'triathlete'? Yes, when I'm in the process of preparing for or participating in a triathlon. Other times, I'm a swimmer or a cyclist or a runner etc.  Am I triathlete right now? No, but I did some training earlier today towards that end and I hope to be a triathlete again in a few weeks.

There would be your answer. Whether you finish first or last, as long as you finish, you are a triathlete.

^^Agree with this.   It's actually in an article in Triathlon Life that just arrived yesterday.  It says the triathlon community should squash people's assertion that they're not really triathletes, they just run triathlons because it's about going through the experience together and that we're all stronger with more people accepting that they are "Triathletes."

When I became a Marine, I knew the minute I earned that title (2pm on July 12th, 1998).  "Triathlete" has taken some time to get into my vocabulary.

eta: okay so I just read Marmadaddy's post.  Gotta go with that from now on... Anyone who references a Jesuit deserves an X2...

Edited by GomesBolt 2009-07-29 3:07 PM

agreed

X2

IMO you have to complete at least one.  Training alone doesn't make you one.  I can train to be a boxer, but until I put the gloves on and fight, I am not a boxer.  Just as I can run, I can swim, and I can bike, but until I do them all at an event, I am not a triathlete.

(With a little luck and a lot of prayer, I will have this title by the end of August)

Edited by JC5066 2009-07-29 3:20 PM

You're a triathlete when I say you are

Edited by smilford 2009-07-29 3:22 PM

If you play sports, then your considered athletic right?  Ex:  "My husband plays baseball and is very athletic".  Therefore your an "Athlete"  If you do multisport (Tri), then your a triathlete.

According to Merriam-Webster:  Athlete = a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina.

According to Merriam-Webster on Triathlete = an athlete who competes in a triathlon.

Key word is competes according to them. 

Then again there are some arguments where some people don't even compete or participate in sprints, oly etc and just do it for the fun of it...... thats why were all here right?