how many of you would take the chance..... (Page 2)

I just think the entire dynamic of racing and training would be different if it switched from a leisure time activity to your JOB and the only thing paying your bills.

wow.  excellent question.

I would. 

Not because I think the lifestyle is great.

I would constantly be asking myself "what if, what if, what if?" for the rest of my life....

where as if I go pro, I already know where the other path leads....i'm living it and can always go back to it.

As someone who did just what you are suggesting, I would say without hesitation to go for it. Yes, the training is tough, yes you don't make any money, yes the pressure to perform on race day can make your knees buckle, but damn it was fun! I swam in college and then headed for Colorado to do this and it was very much like college without the school (and all the keggers).

You wake up and realize that your 'work' for the day is to spend the next 5 hours climbing the various peaks on your bike that you didn't pay for with athletes that were on the last cover. Take a nice nap and go for a run. Swim next to a few Olympians. Then eat like a horse.

Races don't pay much if at all, but they don't cost much either. Most will have homestays in which a family will put up a pro. It was the best way to experience a town as they will take you around and show you sights if you want. I met some really great people all over the world doing that. Race directors will often give you a free entry (or at least discounted), so all that's left is to get yourself there if the race doesn't pay your way out there (or a sponsor).

It will certainly change the way you race. I remember swimming next to a guy named Brad Beven in Chicago with 50 meters to go in the swim. Normal strategy tells you to keep it steady or back down to get ready to ride, but there is $500 bucks for the first one out and I needed some cash so I turned it on to guarantee a payday. Stuff you have to do when finishing top 3 is remote in a major field.

There are certainly some downsides to it. I trained so hard one time my hair stopped growing (I have no clue why) and it was a challenge to get chicks as your peers made much more money and had a regular life.

But if you're young and single, why not? Go for it and if you fail, you have some great stories to tell while you are sitting at your desk checking the BT website forum years later.....

Interesting post.....

I have coached several high level athletes and every one of them had some other form of support other than racing. In many ways the "life of a pro" is harder than the life of the average age grouper. The average AGer can afford to blow off training once or twice a week and still finsh, place, whatever. Most of the pros can't afford to do that and still be competative at some of these events. Triathlon doesn't have many races with large purses and the ones that do have the very best athletes in the world competing.

So imagine this.....

Monday-wake up at 4:30 to swim for 1.5 hrs,  core work 30 min after,work full time job, Power Intervals after work either on the trainer or velodrome (1.5-2hrs)

Tuesday-wake up 4:30 to swim 1.5 hrs, core work, full time job, 1.5 hr run (middle 45 min @ Tempo Pace)

Wednesday-Strength Train 1 hr before work, full time job, mid week long ride 2.5-3.5 hrs

Thursday-Swim 1.5 hrs, Core work, full time job, Track workout (running) 1-1.5 hrs

Friday-Swim 1.5 hrs, core work, full time job, Tempo Brick 1.5 hr bike Z3 Power/45 min run @ tempo pace.

Saturday-Long Bike ~5 hrs

Sunday- Long Run~ 2.5-3 hrs

Rinse, Repeat for the next week....doesn't sound to glamourous does it? That was an actual week for one of my 70.3 Pro's from last year.

25-ish hours of training on top of a full time job.

David, You are very talented and I have seen you race. I think that you will do fine. I know it is tough and I wish that Triathlon was funded better but it is just not. I would not do it because I don't have the talent but if I did and I was not so mature I would do it now before you have the responsibilities of a growing family. Be bold and you already are brave enough to get to Colorado....Best to you and love Colorado. But do come bck to Ohio some.

Chris

This would be eminently doable if you married a high-paying professional - doctors, lawyers, and executive businessfolks who can fund your lifestyle would make this easy if you could keep them happy.

I have the very realistic option of doing so at least for a few years while the significant other pulls strong income, but it's still not a "reality" that I'm strongly considering (yet).  

I think I can prove to myself all that I need to as an amateur; I can train running at close to pro volumes with a full time job. (Tris are much harder to do so though.) 

I do it for sure!  You only live once.   If you're young enough and have not yet started a career or family then go for it and have a blast!!