Ticked Off and Need Some Perspective (Page 2)

1st things first.....Awesome job losing 82 lbs and making yourself healthier!

2nd thing, I'll bet that your BIL will blow up on the bike.  Most people can do one thing at a good pace for a while, but the ability and the training to go within your limits is quite another thing.  I say that even I can hang with Lance Armstrong......as long as the light stays red.....

You know what you can do and can maintain for the duration of these activities.  My guess is you will end up ahead in the end in awesome condition and proud of your performance.  Your family will recognize your accomplishments and your BIL will not get the accolades that you will.

You can always hope for the following to make you laugh during the day:

Your BIL drafts on the bike and gets penalized

Your BIL cant sight on the swim and gets way off course

Your BIL rides over the dismount line and gets penalized

Your BIL misses his swim wave

In the end...I think you will be waiting for him at the finishline because you are prepared!

heh heh - you might want to clue him in on other "rules" such as drafting to save energy on the bike,  helmets optional, nobody minds nudity in the transition area, etc. >

Seriously - its your race. Don't let what your BIL does or doesn't do spoil your day. You have accomplished a great deal already and should be proud. You wouldn't be upset by some other unknown athlete's performance, why should your BIL be any different?

(FWIW - I think joeinco has it right. 24 mph w/o clips? Does he even have a computer on his bike?)

Tell him to position himself at the front of the pack on the swim start!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I think everyone has pretty much said it.

1. Think where you've come from, and what you've accomplished.
2. Don't compare yourself with your BIL.
3. Training and racing are two different things.
4. Putting it all together is harder then BIL knows.
5. I think he's a little full of himself.  21 to 24 MPH? I don't think so.
6. Last, but not least.  Actually most important.........

HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, everyone.  I am over my little tantrum and refocused on my preparations for the race this weekend (he says as he slips an ice pick into his transition bag )

Seriously, I appreciate everyone's comments.  I let some frustration, and probably a little selfishness, get in the way of what is really important.  And, if this wacko BIL of mine actually gets hooked on the sport like I have, I'll actually have someone else to race with next season.

Man I HATE it when my stupid job interferes with my BT time - I miss the best posts!  Sorry to jump in late here, and all the good stuff has already been said - but heaven forbid I don't get to put my 2 cents in!

If someone did this to me my initial reaction would be to be really pissed off at them.  Everyone else can be as mature as they want to - good for them. So I don't blame you one bit. Now, the good news is - I think your BIL is possibly fudging on his bike average.  That is REALLY smoking fast for anyone, let alone a beginner. Secondly, did you say anything about his swim? That's that hardest part for the vast majority of beginners, so he may be in for some trouble there, and YOU, as we all know, have really worked hard on your swim and have some OW time under your belt, so I think it's almost certain you'll kick his (thunder stealing) butt on the swim. Then, 10 minute training miles do not necessarily equate to 10 minute race miles, and there's a chance he's fudging there, as well.

I think this guy is an unfortuate combination of insensitive, and jealous.  There's nothing you can do about that but wish him well and let him run his race while you run yours.  You can advise him if you feel that is the good karma thing to do, (which I agree, it really is), but as for any actual ASSISTS, forget about it.  Advice is one thing, offering to actually DO anything for him (lend him any of the numerous things he will forget at race time, anything like that) - FORGET IT!  He is on his own. And on race day, absolutely do NOT give into any dumb requests he might make about racing together.  No way, Jose.  Tell him you really want to go for a PR, so thanks but no thanks.

I really and truly with all my heart hope you KICK HIS ASS on race day - this will be a great motivator for you.  But fight the urge to beat yourself up or let it take anything away from your accomplishment if it does not work out that way.  Some people are just simply more naturally athletic than others - I have a friend who could go out tomorrow and kick my butt at anything I do.  You just have to keep repeating "this is not about him - it's about ME and all that I have achieved".  And check it out - imitation is the sincerest form of flattery even if it is done by a jerk.

Best of luck at your tri !!

It's okay to be peeved.  You're human.

But AllieG makes a good point.  It's all about attitude.  Let's say this guy is a "natural athlete" and can actually bike 20+ mph and run 10 minute miles.  82 pounds ago, you would not have been competing with athletes!  Now, you are an athlete competing in athletic competitions, no longer a couch potato.

There's always someone better.  Compete against yourself.

Btw - I have a brother who can pick up any sport and beat me with no training.  Makes me sick...

Now that Tania has arrived and mentioned the swim...I do have a funny story about that too.  I have asked my BIL two weeks ago what he was doing for swim training.  He  told me "I'm not worried about the swim...I swam a lot as a kid."  I asked my sister (his wife) about whether he was doing any lap swimming or anything, and she told me that he was going to try to do that this week....the race is Sunday.

So, there is a good chance that he will be doing a LOT of doggie paddling on sunday...it is a 750 meter swim.

Yeah, I used to do a lot of cartwheels as a kid, doesn't make me a gymnast.  If you're in the same wave start you better start fast and get the hell away from him - he's likely to try to grab onto you to save himself!