When Did You Become a Triathlete? (Page 3)

The dictionary says that a triathlete is one that competes in a triathlon.

I haven't yet, so I don't call myself one. However, when I finish the first one (when, not if) and decided to do the second one, I will feel comfortable with the term triathlete, although I don't tend to label myself like that.  

I think it's down to accomplishment and intent. Having done one and intending to do another, makes you a triathlete. Even if you can't do them anymore, do to some tragedy, having done one makes you a triathlete forever.

A sprint triathlon may be nothing to some of you, but it's  big deal to me. 

For some of the recent posts....

I can't recall anyone on BT ever saying a sprint triathlon not being "real" or disrespect those who do them.  There might be the individual or two that who dismiss them as "beginner" races and focus on the longer events - but I don't think anyone here would not consider a sprint a "real" triathlon.

The conversation is when someone feels they can personally call themselves a triathlete.  That is unique to everyone.  Someone may NEVER want to use that label.  Others may feel like they have to finish at Kona.  While others yet, think that the first workout they did with a triathlon in mind makes them a triathlete.

Just because someone else's standards are different than mine, has no bearing to me.  You "know" when you are a triathlete.  If you even have to ask others when you qualify to be a triathlete - then you are not.  Obviously, you don't feel like you are if you have to ask (even if eveyone areound you thinks you qualify - you don't think so yourself)

I also think that "being" a triathlete is a fluid kind of thing.  Someone may think they are a triathlete after the first race.  A season later, they may think "I really didn't know what I was doing/thinking back then - NOW I'm a triathlete).  They may finish an HIM or IM the next year, and think, "I thought I was a triathlete - but now that I did an IM, I KNOW I am a triathlete".  While others my never waiver from their original thoughts.

Nothing is right or wrong in this matter - it's just opinion.....

I figure the day you finish your first, you're a triathlete.  No matter skill level, placement, comfort, etc. 

Now if I decided it was my life goal to just do it once, complete that, and then never do one again, I don't know that I could continue to call myself a "triathlete."  I know a lot of people that have done a marathon once, like with TnT, but they would never do it again and don't even consider themselves runners, let along marathoners.  So maybe it's more accurate to say you're a triathlete if you follow the lifestyle and continue to do them for any period(s) of time throughout your life.... (?) 

I'm not going to even read all the debating and mumbo jumbo here--just gonna answer the question:

I considered myself a triathlete the moment I finished my 1st Sprint and started training for my next race.  "Being a triathlete" has become a way of life for me...it includes my training, my racing (be it tri's or running or bike rallies or whatever I'm doing--ultimately it links to tri's), my eating, my time management, my cash management, my outlook...etc. I truly hope to be one of those Grand Master competitors someday.  This is just my first year of it, and it's not just about being "hooked" for me, it's about how I live now.  I am a Triathlete.

x2.  I couldn't have said it better myself.