Do your really deserver your M-Dot? (Page 2)

The name of the guy that wrote the 'not deserving the M-Dot' letter was Yu (not Vu).  I googled his name when I first read the article.  He's a real person.  He also showed up in Athlinks.  I don't think it was staged.  He has an engineering consulting firm in California. 

TJ

I'm doing IMFL next year. Oh, crap, this year. Hmm. Anywho, I don't own anything with an mdot on it, but believe me I have every intention of buying the whole onsite store the next day. 

Plan on getting there and in line at about 7 o'clock ........ when I finally hobbled over there around 11-ish the place was cleaned out and the line was still a hundred or so people long.  I just came back later in the afternoon and got a sweatshirt which I wear a lot at home.

Ding ding ding. We have a winner!

My DW's supervisor was over in Hawaii recently and bought some Ironman shirts.  Was wearing one at work and told my wife that I would be envious of him having that kind of shirt.     She came back with a "he only wears them if he actually competed".   Not sure what kind of shirt it was.....

When I was at the Seattle Marathon Expo, on the racks of clothes they had some New York City Marathon Asics Windbreakers/jackets.   Just couldn't see my self buying them and actually wearing them.

Finally got my Triathlete magazine.  and saw the controversy.

The M-Dot is the trademark (as well as "Ironman" in general).  Ford is merely the title sponsor for the events.  I had thought that Ford had pulled their sponsorship at the end of last year but as far as I know they are still sponsoring them.

With all the products that carry the M-Dot now I don't think they are going away any time soon.

Hey, I'm proud of my accomplishments and today I was a walking M-Dot advertisement with my IMFL hat, IMFL finisher sweat jacket, '06 Eagleman 70.3 tee-shirt and my M-Dot 70.3 socks that I got from the '07 Eagleman.  I've got no problem wearing schwag ....... plus it is comfortable and warm. 

Just a quick comment on "brand."  Don't confuse sponsorship with branding, Ford, Suburu, etc are just sponsors & are always interchangeable. MDOT is a successful "brand" that stands on its own because triathletes identify with the logo & what it represents.

Excellent post.  nicely done.

I was travelling last week and wearing my California 70.3 finisher's shirt, which has IRONMAN very prominent and 70.3 not so prominent.  Twice got asked if I had done an ironman (not a challenge, just curiosity).  Had to explain, "no, just a half." 

My rule #11 - wear whatever the f you want whenever you want.  It doesn't matter.

The best response I've read thus far....

Snipped from TdotTriathlon.com.......

Charlie Yu feels you don't deserve to call yourself an Ironman Unless you finished Kona--like he did. Never mind the countless hours, sweat and tears and the heart that it takes to finish a 140.6 mile race elsewhere.  He is right however when he says "the Ironman is not just about completing a 140.6 mile race", referring to the races in Canada, Wisconsin, Arizona, etc...

To me an Ironman finisher should be inspiring! One who can inspire others to rise above and be a motivator to achieve. The Ironman finisher should be a "cheerleader" for the newbie out there. Stand up and shout "you can do it" and be a voice of hope.

The triathlon community is about sharing and camaraderie and when you achieve the ultimate distance and title of Ironman you should ACT like one not just pat yourself on the back like you have done Charlie.

Just because you ran an Ironman in Kona doesn't give you the right to diminish someone else's accomplishments. Everyone is  entitled to their opinion but don't say it's an insult to everyone who has run "The" Ironman. Your in the minority. You should start ACTing like one.

For anyone who is training for an Ironman, no matter where it maybe, keep going strong in body and heart and once you cross that finish line hold your head up high, call your self an Ironman and get yourself a M-Dot if you like too--no one can take away what you accomplished. But then go forward to inspire others--that's what it's all about. Not to demoralize other's achievements. Shame on you Charlie.

Scott

The Seattle Marathon gives out   sells the Finisher jerseys at the expo.   As compared to the Portland Marathon, where I got handed the cool jersey in the recovery area. 

Or if you have the tattoo of M-dot, be prepared for many questions of what is that?  And most ask if you got it in Hawaii.

Aaron,

Since you are well-connected, I've gotta ask.  Any word at all of us getting an Mdot 140.6 in Texas anytime soon?  It seems with a state this big there would be numerous good locales for it.