Coach@triathlon 780 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Borne of the other thread and jimmys comment. What is a triathlete? What is the stereotype in the wider public? What are our triathletes collective idiosyncrasies that make triathletes who they are? Do you have to race frequently and presently to be a triathlete, or not? Is it a mindset/label that enhances our self worth, and adds value to our lives? Link to post Share on other sites
Turts 2,980 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Easy. Someone who does triathlons. Like a vegetarian is someone that eats vegetarian food. Its not complicated really. And it doesn't have to be made to to appease a few egos that don't like to be in the same pool as someone who may be slower or less obsessive 1 Link to post Share on other sites
zed 1,469 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) I think you need to race regularly and I think you also need to have a certain level of fitness to be classified as a triathlete, I'm not talking superfit and you have to take into consideration age and personal circumstances, but if you're having to regularly walk on the run leg simply because you’re out of shape then you're not really a triathlete. It's swim, ride, run! Edited December 2, 2013 by zed Link to post Share on other sites
Turts 2,980 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 I think you need to race regularly and I think you also need to have a certain level of fitness to be classified as a triathlete, I'm not talking superfit and you have to take into consideration age and personal circumstances, but if you're having to regularly walk on the run leg simply because youre out of shape then you're not really a triathlete. It's swim, ride, run! Elitist bullshit 3 Link to post Share on other sites
ironpo 3,021 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 im a triathlete Im not sure what that is or what it REALLY means to be one, I think if you know that you had to do tris back in the day when every race had a an up tide swim, massive hills on the bike with no traffic control , and did the run with your shirt off in only fluro speedos :-) one thing I know for sure im not a cyclist cheers IP Link to post Share on other sites
zed 1,469 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) Elitist bullshit Considering I'm new to triathlon and have never competed in an IM and have fairly mediocre times to date, I don't think I can be accused of being elitist. Like I said it's a RUN not a walk. If you want to do bugger all training and walk the entire run leg of an IM and still call yourself a triathlete then go right ahead. I suppose a good analogy is the journalist with little climbing experience, in her 50s, who 'climbed' Everest. She had a porter carry all her gear and was tethered to two other porters who dragged her up the mountain. She had to be carried the final 800m. I suppose I'm being elitist and virtually the entire mountaineering community are being elitist for suggesting she actually didn't climb Everest... Edited December 2, 2013 by zed Link to post Share on other sites
Oompa Loompa 901 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 A label to suit people who need to compartmentalise their lives, need a sense of belonging and are generally weak minded and need the praise of others. On the other hand, it could just be someone that does triathlons. Doubt there is any one answer. Link to post Share on other sites
Oompa Loompa 901 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Considering I'm new to triathlon and have never competed in an IM and have fairly mediocre times to date, I don't think I can be accused of being elitist. Like I said it's a RUN not a walk. If you want to do bugger all training and walk the entire run leg of an IM and still call yourself a triathlete then go right ahead. I suppose a good analogy is the journalist with little climbing experience, in her 50s, who 'climbed' Everest. She had a porter carry all her gear and was tethered to two other reporters who dragged her up the mountain. She had to be carried the final 800m. I suppose I'm being elitist for suggesting she actually didn't climb Everest... What about if I jog ? Link to post Share on other sites
zed 1,469 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) What about if I jog ? Up Everest? Then I would take my hat off to you my friend. Edited December 2, 2013 by zed 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Oompa Loompa 901 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) Up Everest? Then I would take my hat off to you my friend.Flew by itonce in a plane, seemed the way to do it..... Lol And spot on, getting carried the last 800 don't count Edited December 2, 2013 by Oompa Loompa Link to post Share on other sites
zed 1,469 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Flew by itonce in a plane, seemed the way to do it..... Lol And spot on, getting carried the last 800 don't count And getting dragged up the mountain! Pretty impressive when you realise Everest is the same height as the cruising altitude of a 747! Link to post Share on other sites
Oompa Loompa 901 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 And getting dragged up the mountain! Pretty impressive when you realise Everest is the same height as the cruising altitude of a 747! Yeah, it was just out the window. Like right there.... Link to post Share on other sites
zed 1,469 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Yeah, it was just out the window. Like right there.... Wow. I flew from India to Nepal, but missed the view as I was puking my guts up in the toilets (Deli Belly) Link to post Share on other sites
Quack 210 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 do triathlons = triathlete. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Oompa Loompa 901 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Wow. I flew from India to Nepal, but missed the view as I was puking my guts up in the toilets (Deli Belly) Pilot put it over the PA so everybody had a squiz. Weird landing in Kathmandu too, has all these bits of string hanging from the wings when the plane finally stopped. Link to post Share on other sites
Stem 105 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 I'm many things. One of them is a triathlete. I have done and plan to do triathlons. If walking is not against the rules then that is an acceptable way to complete a triathlon. Link to post Share on other sites
zed 1,469 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) I'm many things. One of them is a triathlete. I have done and plan to do triathlons. If walking is not against the rules then that is an acceptable way to complete a triathlon. And there's nothing in the rule book to say you can't be tethered to 2 porters and dragged up Everest. So our journo friend climbed Everest. It seems these days, people want rewards, praise and recognition, but don't want to put in the effort. They want to put in the minimum required to get them over the line, get the medal and post photo on Facebook... Edited December 2, 2013 by zed Link to post Share on other sites
Tryline 499 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Little Johnny, the JB Hifi counter worker,uni educated with the arts degree decides to do one whilst sipping a soy latte out the front of an Art gallery as a dare during a Facebook post and finishes to say he has done one. Is he considered a triathlete? I guess so.... 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bored@work 4,112 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 I'm not a triathlete, more a Ironman tourist. Link to post Share on other sites
Quack 210 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Little Johnny, the JB Hifi counter worker,uni educated with the arts degree decides to do one whilst sipping a soy latte out the front of an Art gallery as a dare during a Facebook post and finishes to say he has done one. Is he considered a triathlete? I guess so.... He certainly was at some point. I guess if that was some time ago and he no longer participates in the sport, then perhaps he 'was' a triathlete rather than 'is' (as opposed to Ironman where once you have done one within 17hrs, you are forever and Ironman) Link to post Share on other sites
oldave 176 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 A triathlete is someone who competes in a triathlon, doesn't matter how fast or slow, what distance the race is, within the rules i.e. no flippers. Link to post Share on other sites
rory-dognz 805 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 And there's nothing in the rule book to say you can't be tethered to 2 porters and dragged up Everest. So our journo friend climbed Everest. Climbing Everest has no rules, it is not an organised sport. Therefore she summited Everest if she made it to the top. To be a triathlete you have/do compete in triathlons which are an organised swim/bike/run event that has rules etc. To put it another way, if i kick a soccer ball in the back yard, i am not a footballer. To be a footballer i would need to participate in an organised game of football and abide the rules of the game. Link to post Share on other sites
lzbones 223 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) . Edited February 13, 2014 by lzbones Link to post Share on other sites
Tryline 499 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 A triathlete is someone who competes in a triathlon, doesn't matter how fast or slow, what distance the race is, within the rules i.e. no flippers. Is a Half Ironman considered an Ironman? If I do 2 Halfs can I get a M Dot tatt? Or just divorced/mid life crisis, can I bring my P5/Shiv down I just bought for an Enticer...... I wanna be a triathlete. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 362 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 I can see where this is headed and it ain't pretty. Was it Trek52 who said that you could be considered an ironman only if you did it under 13 hrs? So will we now establish cutoff times for the other distances to be considered a 'triathlete'? (I dont normally stir the pot but my shoulder pain is getting to me!) Link to post Share on other sites
FatPom 5,413 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Flew by itonce in a plane, seemed the way to do it..... Lol And spot on, getting carried the last 800 don't count Now they've made a helicopter that can reach the summit it won't be long before the whistle stop tours start. Link to post Share on other sites
Oompa Loompa 901 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Now they've made a helicopter that can reach the summit it won't be long before the whistle stop tours start. Dunno if I could get out, seems some sacrilege in that. Link to post Share on other sites
FatPom 5,413 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Dunno if I could get out, seems some sacrilege in that. You could ask God to forgive you, it's just a local call from there. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Oompa Loompa 901 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Is a Half Ironman considered an Ironman? If I do 2 Halfs can I get a M Dot tatt? Or just divorced/mid life crisis, can I bring my P5/Shiv down I just bought for an Enticer...... I wanna be a triathlete. Right now ha, ha! I am a triathlete I am a triathlete Don't know what I want But I know how to get it. I wanna destroy the passerby 'Cos I wanna be triathlete, No dogs body Triathlon for the World It's coming sometime and maybe I give a wrong time stop a traffic line. Your future dream is a shopping scheme Cause I wanna be triathlete, It's in the city How many ways to get what you want I use the best I use the rest I use the enemy. I use triathlon 'Cause I wanna be triathlete, It's the only way to be Is this the MPLA Or is this the UDA Or is this the IRA I thought it was the Triathlon Or just another country Another council tenancy. I wanna be an triathlete And I wanna be an triathlete (Oh what a name) And I wanna be an triathlete (Again, I'm pissed, destroy) Link to post Share on other sites
Tryline 499 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Or just divorced/mid life crisis, can I bring my P5/Shiv down I just bought for an Enticer...... I wanna be a triathlete. Hey I paid a squillon dollars and got airlifted in a Chopper, I'm on top of the world in my North Face Gear..Tweet, status update.....I've done Everest. I wore my tighty whitey singlet and got covered in paint, wrecked my Kayano 20's and my Forerunner 910 I got for it though ... It's a fun run...... I'm now a Runner though. The list is endless...... Link to post Share on other sites
Stikman 1,796 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 A triathlete is someone who: - Is not a good enough swimmer to be called a swimmer - Is not a good enough cyclist to be called a cyclist - Is not a good enough runner to be called a runner Actually, on the second one, what do you call someone who rides a bike but has never entered a race and has no intention of doing so? Link to post Share on other sites
Tryline 499 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Actually, on the second one, what do you call someone who rides a bike but has never entered a race and has no intention of doing so? A commuter Link to post Share on other sites
zed 1,469 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) del Edited December 2, 2013 by zed Link to post Share on other sites
fluro2au 89 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Someone who swims, bikes, and runs....does it need to be anymore complicated than that? fluro 1 Link to post Share on other sites
louey 67 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) I think you need to race regularly and I think you also need to have a certain level of fitness to be classified as a triathlete, I'm not talking superfit and you have to take into consideration age and personal circumstances, but if you're having to regularly walk on the run leg simply because you’re out of shape then you're not really a triathlete. It's swim, ride, run! yeah. really dumb comment. bet you wear compressions socks and tell people your splits.. like anyone even knows what you're talking about ! so far nearly every one of your comments are just stupid. according to official rules of TRIATHLON, you are allowed to walk - "My Friend" ! Edited December 2, 2013 by louey Link to post Share on other sites
fluro2au 89 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) I can see this thread getting to at least 5 pages, along with the other threads that bang on about nothing....it reminds me of Womans Day magazine....The stuff people feel matters. Is turtle Ita? fluro Edited December 2, 2013 by fluro2au Link to post Share on other sites
louey 67 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 I tend to agree. The 17 hour cut off time is ridiculously generous, people know they can get away with doing very little training and are still able to complete an Ironman within the cutoff time. Someone of average fitness could do the swim leg breaststroke, cruise the bike leg on a mountain bike, walk the marathon and still make the cutoff time. With zero training you're an Ironman,,, it makes a mockery of the sport and is a smack in the face for anyone that's slogged their guts out for month after month training for the event. Care factor - ZERO Link to post Share on other sites
zed 1,469 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) del Edited December 2, 2013 by zed Link to post Share on other sites
zed 1,469 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) del Edited December 2, 2013 by zed Link to post Share on other sites
zed 1,469 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) del Edited December 2, 2013 by zed Link to post Share on other sites
Stikman 1,796 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 I'm new to triathlon, I ride a $200 bike and no idea what a split is. So you're wrong if you think I'm some super-triathlete pouring scorn on all the gumbies out there. I'm pouring scorn on all the people out there seeking praise and recognition without putting in any effort i.e plastering their facebook wall with photos and posts about their 'triathlon achievements'. I don't have a problem with someone who rocks up and bimbles round the course in whatever time - just do it for yourself not your hundreds of facebook pals. Then you need to articulate your opinion better. ...it makes a mockery of the sport and is a smack in the face for anyone that's slogged their guts out for month after month training for the event. No more than a hacker going around a golf course shooting 100+. Ironically the only people likely to take this as a "smack in the face" are the same ones you are referring to who identify greatly with being a triathlete and post it all over Facebook and other social media. Most well adjusted people couldn't give a toss. Link to post Share on other sites
KT05 40 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Ok, i will be the spanner. Everyone on this forum participates as a lifestyle or pastime outside of their job, in triathlons. If it doesnt earn you a living your not a triathlete. Link to post Share on other sites
zed 1,469 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) Then you need to articulate your opinion better. No more than a hacker going around a golf course shooting 100+. Ironically the only people likely to take this as a "smack in the face" are the same ones you are referring to who identify greatly with being a triathlete and post it all over Facebook and other social media. Most well adjusted people couldn't give a toss. Good point Edited December 2, 2013 by zed Link to post Share on other sites
-H- 1,240 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Ok, i will be the spanner. Everyone on this forum participates as a lifestyle or pastime outside of their job, in triathlons. If it doesnt earn you a living your not a triathlete. Yep, you're a spanner. Would you also say that someone who doesn't earn their living from wanking is not a wanker? 2 Link to post Share on other sites
prizna 715 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 By definition a triathlete would be any one competing in 3 consecutive sports. Sbr is just the most popular. All competitors that complete the 3 disciplines would be termed an athlete, some good some not so good. Link to post Share on other sites
KT05 40 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Its an opinion. And obviously your sensitive about your toss time. Enjoy. Link to post Share on other sites
-H- 1,240 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 You're Link to post Share on other sites
-H- 1,240 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 It's Link to post Share on other sites
TUv5.0 370 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Someone who is mediocre at best at swimming cycling or running but has various degrees of success when combining the three. Link to post Share on other sites
TUv5.0 370 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 .... and who does it because they love it. Not so they can tell people all about it who don't do it. Link to post Share on other sites
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