FOP vs MOP vs BOP

Hmm.... never thought about it.  Maybe more of a bell curve makes sense?  Like this:

FOP = top 20%
MOP = mid 60%
BOP = final 20%

Seems to me the classifications are arbitrary, or, at best, subjective. What does it matter?

My take: If you're FOP or BOP, you know it, everything else is MOP.

Thirds or the bell curve both sound good to me, but I think that by definition these terms are vague.   Ask 10 people and you'll probably get 5-6 different answers.  Just last week there was a thread on ST where a lot of people were claiming FOP = Podium!!

If you want to convey a vague, broad ranking, use FOP,MOP,BOP.  If you want a more precise ranking, use percentiles!  

FOP: first 3-5 finishers.

BOP: Everyone else.

That's why they time these things, and post results.

I think the way the do overall results overinflates men's egos. You lump all the women in and your OA placement as a man looks way better than if you compare your results with just men or just men in your age group.

I really like looking at race results split by men and women and placements change rather dramatically if you are not in the top.

BOP what I am normally, MOP I am sometimes in small race, FOP what fast folks are. 

Winner   = Winner
FOFOP   = Front of Front of Pack
FOP       = Front of Pack 
BOFOP   = Back of front of Pack
FOMOP  = Front of middle of Pack
MOP      = Middle of Pack
BOMOP  = Back of Middle of Pack
FOBOP   = Front of back of Pack
BOP       = Back of Pack
BOBOP   = Back of Back of Pack
DFL        = Dead effing Last.

There are eight categories besides the winner and DFL.  Take all finishers other than those two, divide all the results into eight even categories.  Determine where you fit in to which category.  If you are in a 5 letter category (ie. FOBOP) and wish to shorten the reference use the last three letters as your general category (BOP).  Category jumping requires an actual performance in a race in order to justify said jump.  If you are slowing down due to aging or crappy training you must use the results of your last race as you category status indicator.  If the results of your last race show a category deterioration for reasons other than aging or crappy training (ie. mechanical problems) you may continue to claim the higher category status IF and only if you are able to provide documentation of training sessions which support said category status.  5 letter codes are only to be used when referencing your performance to triathletes and other endurance athletes.  Three letter codes may be used with civilians but keep in mind you will have to explain its meaning.  Rule exception:  5 letter codes may be used with military persons as they are used to speaking this way.  Categories with codes of more than 5 letters are not allowed because, well, that would just be crazy.  If you actually follow any of these rules or are still reading at this point you may want to review your training plan as this has been a complete waste of time you could have spent trying to move up in categories. 

I'm MBOPAMOWMOW.

I think that makes me an Oak Ridge Boy.  (I have no idea how many people will get this.)

Giddyup-

Most on-line results let you sort by gender and AG, so you can get the results important to you.  Whizzzz found out the Subaru Women's tri also lets you sort by first name.  Overall makes sense, and in my case, there are usually more women finishing ahead of me than behind me.  To protect my fragile male ego, I should probably not glance at overall results. 

You believe the most important one and the only one that counts....DND...

Did Not Drown.