Am I A Triathlete? (Page 3)

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Rogillio

2008-10-18 3:35 PM

in reply to: #1736609

Champion

10157

Alabama

Subject: RE: Am I A Triathlete?

Playing one round of golf does not make you a golfer.

Playing one basketball game does not make you a basketball player.

Jumping out of an airplane does not make you a skydiver.

Cathing a fish does not make you a fisherman.

Building a bookcase does not make you a woodworker.

Taking a few pictures with your digital camera does not make you a photographer.

And finishing a triathlon does not make you a triathlete IN MY OPINION.

What does finishing a triathlon make you? Tired, sweaty, proud, happy, fulfilled....and hopefully anxious to sign up for and start training for your next triathlon.

For me, the label "triathlete" defines a lifestyle not an event completion. But having said that, who cares what one labels themselves?

Call me anything you want....just don't call me late for supper. ;-)

~Mike

My Race Log

nxm165

2008-10-19 6:13 AM

in reply to: #1745479

Expert

750

Harrisburg, PA

Subject: RE: Am I A Triathlete?

Aikidoman - 2008-10-15 6:40 PM

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At my first race, I had trained hard for 4 months, showed up, and they canceled the swim portion. I was devistated. They turned it into a bike/run, and I enjoyed that, but in my head, I had not accomplished it - I didn't consider myself a triathlete.

But tell you what, it made the next race I entered and finished, that much sweeter.

On my road to doing triathlons my first multi-sport event was a run-bike-run. Being challenged by swimming and only able to swim 25 yards at the time, I felt I was able to do an event that consisted of running and riding a bike. I was a good challenging event, and I just missed placing in my age group. But I was staring with awe and envy at the wetsuited swimmers who were doing the tri part of this combined triathlon/duathlon. I don't want to slight those who compete exclusively in duathlons, but I wasn't satisified. But my goal was to overcome my swimming issues and to do tri's. I got a nice shirt from the event, and it did at least mention that it was a combined triathlon/duathlon (Isn't it annoying when the shirt only mentions the triathlon part and doesn't even mention the duathlon, so you have to explain to anyone who asks that you are wearing a tri shirt but you didn't actually do the tri.) I wanted it all; the whole Lebowski, the Full Monty...

I signed up for my first tri well before the event, while still not able to swim more than 25 yards. This event has in the past been changed to a du because of low river levels or ecoli in the water. I was torn; wanted to do an actual tri, but still unable to swim, so I couldn't complain too much if it turned into a du. But again, I still wouldn't have competed in an actual triathlon. Two weeks before the event I broke the 25 yard barrier, the river levels and ecoli levels were all okay, and I did the first of my three tri's this year.

I needed to accomplish it. I need to do the swim and do an entire triathlon. Anything less I wouldn't have accomplished my goal. Again, this was my goal. I will not project my goals and ambitions to anyone else. When you successfully accomplish that which you set out to do, you can give yourself the title that you want. I participate in triathlons. Did more than one, so I'm starting to get cmfortable with the triathlete label. There is obviously no one Webster's definition that all can agree on...it's a personally subjective. I might do a freestanding du or to in the future, knowing that if there was a triathlon part, I would be able to finish it (as long as I don't get another stupid flat like I did for what would have been my 4th tri this year.)