Do you call yourself a triathlete? (Page 2)

Ask him if he fixes things, then tell him he's a tool.

See definition of triathlete above:

I was always a "girlie-girl" in high school who used to fake menstral cramps to get out of phys ed class (I didn't want to sweat and mess up my big hair!) so I still am somewhat surprised when friends refer to me as an athlete (triathlete or just "generic" athlete). But then I think,"yeah, I guess I am!"

Side note: Yesterday, someone (who runs marathons) was asking me about triathlons and I said that the last one that I did was a sprint tri. He said, "Wow, I think it would be hard enough to do a triathlon, much less do it really fast....." (He thought a "sprint" tri was like a sprint running race.....) I just smiled and agreed with him. I didn't want to let him know what a goofy comment he had just made

I don't mind being called a triathlete, but being called an Ironman is where I put my foot down. That title doesn't happen until it is earned.

Okay, we'll play this game .... *grin*

The Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines triathlete as "an athlete who competes in a triathlon"


Dictionary.com defines triathlete as:
"One who competes in a triathlon"

It all revolves around "compete" ...

com·pete ( P ) Pronunciation Key (km-pt)
intr.v. com·pet·ed, com·pet·ing, com·petes
To strive against another or others to attain a goal, such as an advantage or a victory.

How many "triathlon participants" are "competing"? Now, let the word-bending/interpreting ensue.

One question I wonder is if the term "Triathlete" can even be self-assigned?

Edited by TripleThreat 2005-11-08 10:20 AM

Be proud! you are a triathlete

Call me whatever you want but I do not consider myself a runner, cyclist, swimmer, triathlete, or Ironman....  I'm just another endorphin junkie looking for a fix.

I would say most of them. Most may not be competing to win first place overall, but most are looking to "attain a goal," to beat that person just in front of them, to finish as high as their training and abilities will let them.

Edited by the bear 2005-11-08 10:34 AM

Tell everybody that you can bike farther than he can drive

Tell him to try to follow your training for a weak.

Tell him... whatever, don't waste your time with this guy

Jealousy and envy

I would say most are competing at some level.

I would also agree that there is no clear line between "triathlete" and "does triathlons".

It's all preference.

You can wordbend/interpret all you want and selectively use definitions that you like. I'll just stick with the definitions. (touche!) The definition of compete that you refrence doesn't state that the 'other' has to be another person. When I compete, it's against others in my age group, but also against myself. I try to set PRs and to show up the couch bound smoker I was a few years ago. Another definition: Main Entry: com·pete Pronunciation: k&m-'pEt Function: intransitive verb Inflected Form(s): com·pet·ed; com·pet·ing Etymology: Late Latin competere to seek together, from Latin, to come together, agree, be suitable, from com- + petere to go to, seek -- : to strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective (as position, profit, or a prize) : be in a state of rivalry

By this definition, all that's required is striving and an objective. I'd say everyone who starts swimming at the sound of the horn meets that criteria.

Be careful. IMO, we "triathletes" tend to over-estimate our fitness and accomplishments. In truth, many healthy, halfway fit people could do what we do, or at least do what we do with a little training. Keep in mind I am just talking about finishing the distance. Doing something and doing something well are two different things.

We should be thankful that so many people are willingly lazy and choose a sedentary existence, b/c if people got active, they might not be as impressed as they are.

That's what I tell my buddies when they get too-impressed with the distances. They don't understand, that with minimal (if any) training, they'd be able to do the distances also.

You look at the wide variety of people that do races in this sport, at the different distances, and from different backgrounds, and it becomes apparent that almost anyone, regradless of age, gender, and history can get it done with alittle bit of motivation and desire ... even IM distance.

This, does not at all remove the possiblity that the "friend" is just insecure and/or jealous. Just a word of caution. Seems like sometimes we can get to where we feel like what we're doing is a lot tougher than it really is.

Edit: In other words, if enough people are challenged to "do it", they might just "do it", and the luster will wear off. Some might say that's already happened. Some would say that's a "good thing". Barriers broken down.

Edited by TripleThreat 2005-11-08 11:46 AM

I try to set PRs and to show up the couch bound smoker I was a few years ago.

A perfect example of just how little it matters if the term is "triathlete" or "does triathlons". what matters is the change that's taking place, and what gets done.

Keep showing up the former you.

If you think about what TT mentions, it is likely the underpinnings of why we became (wait for it)

homo sapiens who partake of a self-powered nautical excursion followed by a mechanically-assisted journey from point A to point B ending with a biomechanical traversion of distance


But TT's statement of "almost anyone, regradless of age, gender, and history can get it done with alittle bit of motivation and desire" is exactly why I started doing triathlons. Because it didn't matter what shape I was in now, but if I was willing to dedicate myself, I could have a hobby (or as my wife calls it, "The Obession") for many, many years unlike something extremely physical like football.

Shaun

The potential for most people to do triathlons is irrelevent beside the fact that most wont. Being a triathlete is not just about the physical capacity but also the mental discipline. Finishing a triathlon of any distance proves enough of both to earn the label from me, though I think someone can also be a triathlete without having done a race if that makes any sense. Oddly enough, I don't think I have ever refered to myself as a triathlete; for me, it's not about the label. However, if you do triathlons and want to call yourself a triathlete, you should do so proudly.

As far as I am concerned everyone on here is a triathlete.....except Comet....she's just a poser...all that IM stuff...she faked it....she doesn't even own a bike.....much less actually train for stuff......POSER!

I just like debating with Ryan.

Does that make be a debater, or someone who debates?

What do you call someone that argues/debates with me? More times than not, you can call them "right".

The mental excersize is worse than the physical excersize! I'm going to workout.

I call myself insane - okay, maybe not, but that's the look I get from most people after I tell them I've done a triathlon and plan to do another one. Common on, people, it's really not that hard. Just cut down on the TV time and get moving.
That said, maybe after I do my second triathlon, I'd be more inclined to call myself a "triathlete." B/c that means I've actually done the work to keep at this sport.

You're exactly right about the mental part of it. Getting up before work when it is dark and cold to train---or turning off the TV in order to get in your workout. That takes a mental discipline that many either do not have or are not willing to develop.

ROCKETMAN!! Don't let everyone in on my secret that I'm a secret agent hired by Ron to monitor the site for other fakers...

I think that makes you a master-debater.

Bear, you're too late. I already posted that, then it got pulled. Keep up.

SEE MARMADADDY...soemone else posted it!!! its not just me...