What is the point of Women's Only Tri's? (Page 2)

Women's only tri's seem to get people involved who would never otherwise do a triathlon.  The Danskin especially is very encouraging, as you are guaranteed to NOT come in last.

Some women have issues with letting anyone see them in athletic clothing (my mom for example.)

Some women feel like men are "judging" them on their performance - this is their own insecurity, not that you men out there judge anybody.

I think that the more race venues, etc. that encourage more people to get more active the better off we all are.

I can see the appeal of these events, but have never done one myself.  I've found a real competitive streak inside myself, (even though I'm dead slow), and I really enjoy the co-ed races.  That said, if a women's only race came up that worked it with my schedule I'd do it.

Sounds to me like you have a whole lot more piss and vinegar...and maybe a HUGELY hurt ego....than you do brains.

Oh, Possum, I think that was one of the most eloquent, well written things I've read in a very long time. Clearly you are far more cool-headed than I am when confronted with terms like "Fem-nazi". 

IMO, we live in a society that at the very least can be characterized as slanted toward men - consider who holds positions of power in our society...are they generally men or women?  This problem stems from our culture, and is deeply rooted in our society and these issues have only recently being addressed, i.e. woman are suppose to act/behave a certain way, women are supposed to be house wifes, woman are to be subordinate, etc (these of course are NOT wholesale problems). 

So, going off that I don't see how we can truly have "equality" when woman start behind the proverbial 8 ball.  Hence this is why we have Title IX and affirmative action laws.  These laws help to MAKE equality possible by providing an opportunity for woman to excel.  By providing female only triathlons Danskin and Reebok are trying to have a positive effect and in the end try to MAKE equality possible.  This is done by taking males out of the equation and make triathlons less threatening and more accepting to females (among other reasons) while hopefully erasing the damage done by gender stereotyping.

My .02 cents

Geez anyone who can take two years with you deserves a medal! Or a good psychiatrist! Wow, what venom, what completely over the top answer to a innocent question.

I find it interesting that men - who are supposed to be in control of the world - get so threatened when there's a women's only event. They bitch and moan and worse "question." They say "I just don't understand it," a not so subtle way of saying that whatever that women's only event is it's wrong and insane. I did triathlons for the first time last year and my first one was a women's only. And I loved that because it was (I hate to say it girls) more nurturing and comforting. Danskin was one of the best triathlons I ever did. So affirming of me as a person and as a woman. It was the reason why I got inot triathlons. When I did my first co-ed tri - geez it was crazy. Men and their ultra competativeness it was crazy. I'm not a naturally competetive person so it was a new experience for me. But women can be bitches so hey they've got their mean streaks too.

I like gender only events because I hate all this PC crap that says men and women must mix and mingle on all things - career, sports, etc. I don't like to be with men all the time. They smell, they're loud, many aren't too bright, (ok that was an unnecessary dig). But men need time with men and women need to be with women. And we don't ALWAYS have to do everything together. Thank God we don't have to.

That's my 2 and I'm sticking to that.  

I did Danskin races the first six years they had them.  The first one was a 1/2 mile away from my house.  That was totally cool to get up at 7:00 AM for an 8:00 AM start.  I was a lot less anal about setting up my transition area back then.

The early races were fairly small, 400 to 1000 women depending on the venue.  A number of women pros came out to do the races.  They were very accessable to everyone both before and after the race.  You'd see everything from 1 speed beach cruisers to state of the art tri-bikes.  I should say what was state of the art back in the early 90s.

The age groups were very competive.  I raced against women who to this day are stilled ranked amongst the top in my age group.  Out of the 6 Danskin races I did, I placed Top 3 in my age group 3 times.  The other times I was close, but got outran.  I remember on some of the bike courses it was frustrating trying to get by the newbies on the beach cruisers, but I knew my fellow serious age group racers were having to deal with the same thing.  Even back then biking was my strongest event, and one of the few women that would pass me on the bike was Judy Flannery (age group world champion many years before being killed on a training ride.)

So why did this hardcore age grouper bother with these races?  I loved having a big "girls day out".  It was nice not having some testosterone fueled maniac, blazing down my butt yelling "On your left!"  Though at times I'm afraid I was a PMS'ed fueled maniac yelling "On your left!" at some poor gal on a mountain bike.  Also it was nice to hang out with all these different women and talk about girl stuff, without being embarressed that men would hear us talking about "biological issues".

I haven't done one of these races in many years.  My priorities have changed, and most of them would involve signicant travel.  I really don't want to travel far to do a race with such short distances.  The closest one to this area is Sandy Hook, NJ.  It's usually at a time of year where I'm gearing up for one of my major races. 

I hate to sound like an elitest, but being in a race with 2000 people of either sex who are totally new is not my idea of a a challenge I really want.  That would be something I'd rather mentor newbies for, or volunteer to be swim angel. I think what I have to offer is my experience.  I can do that better outside a race. I still like the idea of a women's race, but I wish they'd have an Olympic distance one.

What difference does it make, really? It's all good.

If it gets more women into the sport, it's a good thing. Am I right? Am I right?