Marvelous Manatees - Stronger than Ever!

Master

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Orlando

Subject: RE: Marvelous Manatees - Stronger than Ever!

Originally posted by juniperjen

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by BlueBoy26

Originally posted by jmkizer

Yes, the popularity of triathlon has fallen and a lot if that, I think, has to do with Ironman (the company), itself. They made the general public think that Ironman IS triatlon and we all know that is not the case. In fact, the 140.6 distance no longer seems to be the moneymaker for Ironman. They have successfully "rebranded" the 70.3 distance.

Regarding sexism on ST, that's always been the case. This is a site that created a "The Womens" space which itself is not free of men telling women how things are despite the description "If you are female or if you need the wise counsel of female triathletes, this forum is dedicated to you." In fairness, I gave up on it years ago after too many men throwing in their two cents on women's gear, bodies, etc.

I am on ST from time to time, but I guess not in the pass week because I didn't see any of these treads. I have never been on the women's thread on ST so I don't know what is discussed there, but know that the Triathlon thread on ST is dominated by men.

I will say there are few women that give me a run for my money. I am at the pointy end of the my age group for the men and so when there are women beating me I know that they are in class and competing on a level I can't even comprehend. The guys on ST who are talking big because they have an 87 composite USAT score might not see many women around them on the course but there are ladies who are coming in right behind them that are getting a USAT scores of 97 and they are much more impressive and inspiring. They are pacing better, pushing harder, competing at a higher level. They don't have to "try" hard because as master Yoda taught there is not try. You do, or do not. Those ladies are doing.

Love it!

x2 - love all of the thoughts about 'better pacing' and re-framing the questions. I have a very similar feeling about ST in general - I get the feeling with quite a few of them they want it to only be those guys who are really "serious" about it (ie, the dilution of the Ironman so 'anyone' can finish and always looking for more exclusive things). I agree with Ann-Marie about qualification ... I don't know what the right answer is or if there is one. It's really up to Ironman. It's all made up - and for all except the pro spots, it's a hobby!

But overall I did keep an eye on the Kona race and just LOVED following along. Hello, Melanie McQuaid qualifying as a pro at 50!!!? And, she finished even though she tested + for covid the next day.

I mean, triathlon is a hard sport to get into and to stay in. It's $$ for a bike and other gear, it's $ and time find and get in a pool on a regular basis, it's all the volume. If you do hang around a place like ST you get the feeling that you have to be doing ALL the things in order to make it worth it or why are you trying? It's a lot of logistics to even stay in over time when life gets busy or changes. So i do wonder about how to get people to move up or down the distance as life shifts to stay with it or find ways to come back to. It's not Ironman or nothing ...

I LOVED Mel McQuaid's story and was disappointed for her that she didn't have the race she could have. Then I read she didn't realize she had COVID, so that explains why she had a tougher time than she expected. What a badas@! I was also taken in with the Taylor Knibb story, she is amazing. Actually, the whole race had so many great performances and stories.

Marvelous Manatees - Stronger than Ever! (Page 33)

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