Going against the norm (Page 2)

As I was initially typing it, I considered typing 'US', and then changed it to 'world'. I didn't want to risk offending any of our trans-global brethren here.  Either way, I still think we're awesome simply because we CHOOSE to do triathlons.

I remember seeing that USAT membership was approaching 150,000 in the US last year, and that's up from like 110,000 in 2003.  Don't know how accurate those numbers are.

So, at roughly $65 per tri times 150,000 is about $9.75M - tell me again WHY entry fees go up each year, when more people race?  It's not like those dixie cups cost THAT much.

If these numbers are accurate then triathletes make up 0.06% of the US Population.

madeye - 2005-02-10 10:25 AM

Steve- - 2005-02-10 11:43 AM If these numbers are accurate then triathletes make up 0.06% of the US Population.

Well, that depends. Is that 150,000 for the yearlong USAT membership? Or anybody who's paid a USAT fee (even a one-off) for that year? Even so that would mean that 0.06% of the US population has been involved with USAT in some way. OTOH all 3 of my races this year are non-USAT. Does that make me a non-traithlete when I complete my first race? I'm just poking at you. The number is exceedingly small, I should imagine, regardless of official percentages and I am looking forward to being in such esteemed company.

LOL! Split hair, anyone?

My point is that we should not look at those statistics and think that we're doing something so phenominal.  So what, we're 1% or <1% or whatever stupid percentage of people.  That doesn't mean we're "esteemed" or the "top 1%" or whatever.

Hell, if you attempt suicide you're in the same percentage as people who do triathlons (132,000+/- vs 150,000+/-).

We should not be ready to pat ourselves on the back just because we do something that few people do.  Rather than focusing our energies at how "rare" we are, we should focus our energies on how we can help others.

Stay humble and help others.

Edited by Steve- 2005-02-10 2:58 PM