General Discussion Triathlon Talk » 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned Rss Feed  
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2010-08-31 8:39 PM

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Champion
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Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
So, on another forum (about poker) that I used to frequent, when experienced players have made X-1 number of posts (for some significant X, like 3000), they often make their Xth post into some sort of tutorial, or advice for beginners, or something along those lines.  I like that idea, and I'm currently sitting on 2999, but I'm still new at this, so it would be a bit presumptuous of me to write a triathlon tutorial.  Instead, I'll give you 10 things that I've learned from BT, and maybe this will help some newcomer or two.  Or maybe not...

So let's hear it from others:  What have you learned from BT?  Here's my top ten (emphasis on 'my' -- feel free to disagree).

10.  Certain people on BT are almost always right.  Figure out who they are.

9.  Nobody on BT is always right.  When something seems wrong, challenge it.  Nicely!  You'll probably learn something (for example, that you were wrong).

8.  When you are being sarcastic, use the sarc font (red italics).  Otherwise, someone won't get it.  Really, they won't.

7.  Carbon bottle cages will make you appreciably faster on the bike.  (Please see #8.)

6.  It's OK to have heroes ("Wow, I really admire so-and-so.")  Don't compare yourself to others on the site, though.  You are where you are.  Use others as motivation, not as a stick to beat yourself with.

5.  Some really great stuff gets posted in the Iron Distance forum.  Check it out!

4.   Stay away from Cup of Joe.  Really, just don't go there.  Ever.

3.  Mentor groups are fantastic both as mentee and mentor.  Try them out!

2.  Triathlon is about having fun.  Keeping it fun keeps it in perspective!

and the #1 thing I've learned is...

1.  BT is a great community, where the learning and encouragement never seem to end.


2010-08-31 8:44 PM
in reply to: #3074861

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Expert
1051
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Bradenton, Florida
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
Great idea for celebrating a milestone.  Plus that is a really good list, wish I had the COJ advice earlier.
2010-08-31 8:51 PM
in reply to: #3074861

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Elite
4235
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Spring, TX
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned

Experior - 2010-08-31 8:39 PM So, on another forum (about poker) that I used to frequent, when experienced players have made X-1 number of posts (for some significant X, like 3000), they often make their Xth post into some sort of tutorial, or advice for beginners, or something along those lines.  I like that idea, and I'm currently sitting on 2999, but I'm still new at this, so it would be a bit presumptuous of me to write a triathlon tutorial.  Instead, I'll give you 10 things that I've learned from BT, and maybe this will help some newcomer or two.  Or maybe not...

So let's hear it from others:  What have you learned from BT?  Here's my top ten (emphasis on 'my' -- feel free to disagree).

10.  Certain people on BT are almost always right.  Figure out who they are.

9.  Nobody on BT is always right.  When something seems wrong, challenge it.  Nicely!  You'll probably learn something (for example, that you were wrong).

8.  When you are being sarcastic, use the sarc font (red italics).  Otherwise, someone won't get it.  Really, they won't.

7.  Carbon bottle cages will make you appreciably faster on the bike.  (Please see #8.)

6.  It's OK to have heroes ("Wow, I really admire so-and-so.")  Don't compare yourself to others on the site, though.  You are where you are.  Use others as motivation, not as a stick to beat yourself with.

5.  Some really great stuff gets posted in the Iron Distance forum.  Check it out!

4.   Stay away from Cup of Joe.  Really, just don't go there.  Ever.

3.  Mentor groups are fantastic both as mentee and mentor.  Try them out!

2.  Triathlon is about having fun.  Keeping it fun keeps it in perspective!

and the #1 thing I've learned is...

1.  BT is a great community, where the learning and encouragement never seem to end.
3

Great stuff.  I think #2 is probably the most important and, for me, also the hardest.  I'm going to have to check out the mentor/mentee group thing.  I haven't ventured there before...

And as far as COJ goes...it seems like there are quite a few people there who never venture to tri-talk, so it would make sense to have quite a few people in tri-talk who don't venture into COJ!

2010-08-31 8:58 PM
in reply to: #3074896

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Champion
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Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
AndrewMT - 2010-08-31 9:51 PM

Great stuff.  I think #2 is probably the most important and, for me, also the hardest.  I'm going to have to check out the mentor/mentee group thing.  I haven't ventured there before...



I think you'd be a great mentor.  I was pretty nervous about starting a group -- I made double-sure that folks understood what they were getting (someone who really loves learning and talking about tri, not a trained professional...).  It worked out great.  We all learned a lot from each other.
2010-08-31 9:08 PM
in reply to: #3074861

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Master
2404
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Redlands, CA
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
Excellent post.  I think I went to COJ once; usually just stay here or Iron Distance.

and x2 on the mentor group, I've met some great people there and learned alot!

Edited by furiousferret 2010-08-31 9:08 PM
2010-08-31 9:12 PM
in reply to: #3074906

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Elite
4235
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Spring, TX
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned

Experior - 2010-08-31 8:58 PM
AndrewMT - 2010-08-31 9:51 PM

Great stuff.  I think #2 is probably the most important and, for me, also the hardest.  I'm going to have to check out the mentor/mentee group thing.  I haven't ventured there before...



I think you'd be a great mentor.  I was pretty nervous about starting a group -- I made double-sure that folks understood what they were getting (someone who really loves learning and talking about tri, not a trained professional...).  It worked out great.  We all learned a lot from each other.

Thanks!  I'll give it a shot when the next groups get rolling in December!

 

 



2010-08-31 9:36 PM
in reply to: #3074861

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Bronze member
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
Good list! Thanks, lots to think about. Carbon bottle cages will be #1 on my list, anything to help me out on the bike. Never thought to read the iron forum since I'm not anywhere near Iron distance.
2010-08-31 9:46 PM
in reply to: #3074975

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Elite
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Spring, TX
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned

trigal38 - 2010-08-31 9:36 PM Good list! Thanks, lots to think about. Carbon bottle cages will be #1 on my list, anything to help me out on the bike. Never thought to read the iron forum since I'm not anywhere near Iron distance.

Definitely check it out!  It's good to have a separate forum for the long distance stuff, but it's a shame that so many people miss out on some of the discussions.

It's the same 3 sports and most of the discussion is just as pertinent to the shorter stuff as it is to the long stuff!

2010-08-31 10:38 PM
in reply to: #3074861

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Master
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Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned

The posts on 2+2 were better.
2010-09-01 7:10 AM
in reply to: #3074861

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Master
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Midcoast Maine
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
1. Don't dis Abba in any posts that bryancd may read.
2. TriAya is a hoot - in either TriTalk or COJ
3. Pictures of cool bikes never get dull (seriously)
4. The people that support and work on BT are top notch. It's a great community.
2010-09-01 9:52 AM
in reply to: #3074861

Veteran
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Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
#10 for sure, it's easy to figure out.

#8 is true but I always chuckle when somebody gets bent over another posters' light hearted teasing.

#9 - ugh.  Got sucked into a thread that had devolved into nothing about triathlon, eventually it was chucked into COJ where it belonged, and where I never go. (#4)



2010-09-01 10:08 AM
in reply to: #3074861

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Champion
34263
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Chicago
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
This thread should really be in COJ since it has nothing to do with actual triathlons.

One thing I've learned after four years and a few posts is that if you stay in just one section of the forums you really miss out.
2010-09-01 10:33 AM
in reply to: #3074861

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Champion
10154
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Alabama
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
Nice list.  Here a few of mine....

1.  Certain people on BT almost always THINK they are right

2.  There are very few absolutes in life...triathloning is no exception

3.  Post count means nothing

4.  Unless you are a professional, triathlon is something we do for fun, period.  If you are not having fun (training and racing) find something you do enjoy. 

5.  You don't need to race or win races to have fun in this sport

6.  Blowing out someone else's candel does not make yours shine any brighter. 

~Mike

2010-09-01 10:38 AM
in reply to: #3074861

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Elite
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Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
I don't get #8.
2010-09-01 10:42 AM
in reply to: #3074861

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Expert
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Savannah
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
Experior - 2010-08-31 9:39 PM So, on another forum (about poker) that I used to frequent, when experienced players have made X-1 number of posts (for some significant X, like 3000), they often make their Xth post into some sort of tutorial, or advice for beginners, or something along those lines.  I like that idea, and I'm currently sitting on 2999, but I'm still new at this, so it would be a bit presumptuous of me to write a triathlon tutorial.  Instead, I'll give you 10 things that I've learned from BT, and maybe this will help some newcomer or two.  Or maybe not...

So let's hear it from others:  What have you learned from BT?  Here's my top ten (emphasis on 'my' -- feel free to disagree).

10.  Certain people on BT are almost always right.  Figure out who they are.

9.  Nobody on BT is always right.  When something seems wrong, challenge it.  Nicely!  You'll probably learn something (for example, that you were wrong).

8.  When you are being sarcastic, use the sarc font (red italics).  Otherwise, someone won't get it.  Really, they won't.

7.  Carbon bottle cages will make you appreciably faster on the bike.  (Please see #8.)

6.  It's OK to have heroes ("Wow, I really admire so-and-so.")  Don't compare yourself to others on the site, though.  You are where you are.  Use others as motivation, not as a stick to beat yourself with.

5.  Some really great stuff gets posted in the Iron Distance forum.  Check it out!

4.   Stay away from Cup of Joe.  Really, just don't go there.  Ever.

3.  Mentor groups are fantastic both as mentee and mentor.  Try them out!

2.  Triathlon is about having fun.  Keeping it fun keeps it in perspective!

and the #1 thing I've learned is...

1.  BT is a great community, where the learning and encouragement never seem to end.


Words of wisdom!
2010-09-01 10:42 AM
in reply to: #3074861

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Not a Coach
11473
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Media, PA
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
I'd add some, but I'm waiting to get to 8000 posts so people will listen to me more.

Nice idea and list, though.


Oh, and o?ne ?of the comments above should have the sarcastic font but I've never been very good at following #8.  So you get to paint me however you like. 


2010-09-01 10:51 AM
in reply to: #3074861

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Pro
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Parker, CO
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned

Congrats on your 3000 post. 

#5 - COJ actually has some interesting and fun discussions at times.  Non triathlon related...but sometimes can provoke me to think outside of my 4-walls.  Just stay away from TAN! 

2010-09-01 10:58 AM
in reply to: #3074861

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Champion
7136
5000200010025
Knoxville area
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
The only thing I'll add...

...Guinness is the beer of choice of BT'ers...
2010-09-01 11:05 AM
in reply to: #3075941

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Elite
7783
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PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
Leegoocrap - 2010-09-01 12:58 PM The only thing I'll add...

...Guinness is the beer of choice of BT'ers...


I hope #8 applies here...
2010-09-01 11:09 AM
in reply to: #3074861

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Modesto, California
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
I like to venture into COJ to get my heart rate up then I will go back to Triathlon talk to recover, this way I can get an interval workout at my desk!
2010-09-01 11:21 AM
in reply to: #3075849

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Champion
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Chicago
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
Rogillio - 2010-09-01 10:33 AM

Nice list.  Here a few of mine....

1.  Certain people on BT almost always THINK they are right

2.  There are very few absolutes in life...triathloning is no exception

3.  Post count means nothing

4.  Unless you are a professional, triathlon is something we do for fun, period.  If you are not having fun (training and racing) find something you do enjoy. 

5.  You don't need to race or win races to have fun in this sport

6.  Blowing out someone else's candel does not make yours shine any brighter. 

~Mike



If it did, I'd win the world championships every year. Or at least finish in the top three.


2010-09-01 11:25 AM
in reply to: #3074861

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Melon Presser
52116
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Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
Congratulations on a great 3K! It's been wonderful to have you around.

I'm so excited I got mentioned in #10
2010-09-01 12:06 PM
in reply to: #3074861

Regular
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Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
I would add that reading the race reports from events around the country are both interesting, and very informative. They also offer an opportunity for the reader to congratulate or console the racer. As an example read some of the reports from Ironman Louisville, they show some very interesting experiences into how great or rough an Iron distance event could be. I am simply amazed sometimes by the personal strength and will power people demonstrate when a difficult challenge is laid in front of them.
2010-09-01 12:14 PM
in reply to: #3075941

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Extreme Veteran
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Denver
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
Leegoocrap - 2010-09-01 11:58 AM The only thing I'll add...

...Guinness is the beer of choice of BT'ers...


headed to the store to buy a sixer now Cool
2010-09-01 12:30 PM
in reply to: #3076177

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Expert
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Weymouth, MA
Subject: RE: 3000th post -- top 10 things I've learned
AngeloS - 2010-09-01 1:14 PM
Leegoocrap - 2010-09-01 11:58 AM The only thing I'll add...

...Guinness is the beer of choice of BT'ers...


headed to the store to buy a sixer now Cool


You mean a "fourer"?   
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