The ladies.

it's fun?

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Where would you want to swim ?

Well, I'll answer my own question.

I do it because for some reason I'm motivated by challenging goals. NOt small easily attained goals, but goals that are *big*, demanding, unique, and punishing. I have no idea why this is, but it's true. On the enneagram I'm an 8 (I do believe this has something to do with it). If you don't know what I'm talking about go to www.enneagraminstitute.com and take the free profile. Then, read more about yourself under traditional enneagram. As a lover of astrology, personality profiles, etc this one floored me (but I digress).

The reality is that if I could run forever with out getting hurt I would do it. but, since I'm trying to be smarter and not put myself totally in injury's way, tris are a terrific thing to do. The only event that I hadn't done before was the bike, and I really have come to love it. Although I didn't predict it, swimming can be daunting because I burn out at the pool. but, overall, tris are liberating, theraputic, and a great thing to pour myself into. It allows me to be as intense, vengeful, narotic, obsessive, or competitive as I can be without complaints. It's perfect! LOL!

The tri chicks

No really, two things, the competition, with others and within myself, and the comraderie that I have will those who I race and train with. By far, they are the best people I know. Positive outlook on life, high level of integrity, etc.

Rocketboy

My $28,000 per year state salary leaves me with so much disposable income, and I've got to spend it all on something . . .

How about because, although it is very difficult physically, it has a unique combination of three sports which does at least two things that give it very wide appeal.

The first is that a wider range of body types can be quite successful in swim-bike-run (vs. just running a marathon or a fast 10k). The second is that a person starting out in only one sport has to learn how to be fast, successful, or decent in two new fairly complex and technical sports, and learn how to do two transitions quick.

So we got a sport that many can do well and that stimulates our intellect and the human desire to learn new things. Plus, it's tough, so it satisfies our love of challenge.

And its fun.

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Where would you want to swim ?

My background is auto racing. In my garage is a race car that eats money at an alarming rate (If you think bikes are expensive just try buying 114 octane racing fuel for a 550 hp GT1 Corvette) and I find I get less and less time at the track. My kids are all swimmers and my youngest son challenged his fat old dad to do a tri. I bit. Now I find myself being the one serious about it and really enjoying the training.

Money once spent on the my race car is now spent our on bikes, time once spent at the track is now spent with my wonderful wife and my kids either on runs or bike rides. Everybody wins.

John

Too many reasons to count...great gear/equipment, races in places that are breathtaking, fun people, get to eat a lot, and having that incredible feeling of pushing yourself so hard both mentally and physically that it hurts so bad but feels so good, you don't know why you do it but you always have a smile on your face when it's over. And then you go back and do it all over again because there's nothing else like it.

"get to eat a lot"

That's definitely a big plus.

"My background is auto racing"

I raced production sports cars and formula fords years ago. It got way too expensive so I gave it up. Came back a few years later racing go-carts since it was much cheaper, but even that became too expensive. Now my money goes into my bicycles. At least I can afford that.

To answer KC's question I'd have to say it's all about having fun and maintaining fitness after the age of 50.

Well, next week I leave for the south of France to do a race along the Riviera. About a month after that I go to Thailand to do a race on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Then, I come back for a few weeks and go to a southern Caribbean island to train for next season.

So, it is an aesthetically beautiful sport. I enjoy that. Among many other reasons.

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com

  

Coworker: How do you stay so thin?

Me: I don’t know. Last week I ran 35 miles, rode my bike 230 miles, and swam 8000 yds. Other than that I eat like a pig and like to drink a few beers on occasion.

Coworker: Oh that’s too much work, I cant imagine doing that. Why do you do all that?

Me: I race in triathlons.

Coworker: How much money do you win?

Me: Ha ha ha he he he ho ho ho.

when asked in my Sports Medicine class (ha) last night about my bruise on my leg, I said that it was from a cortisone shot. He asks why the shot? I say, I have a half-iron this weekend, but I'm only doing 2/3 b/c I want to do my "fun race" which is a beach sprint next weekend. Then he asks, are you getting paid for this? or is this actually a hobby? I just smiled.

WHY? why not? besides, my cervelo dual is "one sick bike" according to my non-athletic roomie, and I look damn good in a wetsuit.



the guys aren't bad either. :)

Me: I race in triathlons.

Coworker: Didcha win?

or

Me: I race in triathlons.

Coworker: So yer goin' to Hawaii"

I recently went to a talk given by Wendy Ingraham, and she attributed Bill Bell as saying "Chicks and beer."

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It is said that if you want to know what you were doing in the past, look at your body now; if you want to know what will happen to you in the future, look at what your mind is doing now. - H.H. Dalai Lama

The groupies. Definitely the groupies.

i don't want to die in bed...no, not even that way

hey Robert Preston ... how about sponsoring me? :-) just kiddin'..



Well don't really know but just love it and..

.. I really must love the pain ;)


Oh yeah almost forgot.. I also race to have that feeling.. you know.. that feeling... the one.. what you feel when you cross the finish line ;)

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http://twitter.com/krepster || http://www.pedro-gomes.com || follow all the action on facebook

maybe its because, as big as triathlon is getting (its growing exponentially, just think how early you have to register for races), we are still in a very select group: of either extremely excellent all around athletes, or regular people who have the cojones to say hey "i can do that"...and we like spandex.

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"ah-hem...the time is yours."

It's just really, really cool to say, "I'm a triathlete".



And hey, where are all these "tri-chicks" everybody's talking about?

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______________________________________________
Father Kevin

http://www.churchofcycling.org

1. It creates discipline

2. Builds physical strength

3. Maintains and ensures I am one of the healthiest people on the planet (suppose that isn't so hard given the state of the average person)

4. Builds good eating habits

5. Builds Mental toughness and focus

6. I love to race

7. I love to be pushed

8. I love the stress and pushing my body and coming out the other end stronger

9. I love the feeling after a long workout and the sense of accomplishment

10. I love the feeling of race day

11. I am proud that people look up to my accomplishments and discipline. "Your crazy" "I couldn't do that" "Do you ever eat 'real food?" ( I do, plenty) "How far do you have to?" "It will take how long?"

12. I like the way it makes my body look

13. The success or failure is only on me. I like winning the conversation in my head between "I am tired and sore vs. You CAN do this, keep going"

14. I like the all the shiny gear

15. Oh yeah, mostly naked women with beautiful bodies in tight clothes;)

Where else (outside of a bodybuilding stage) can a guy wear short-tight clothing, and shave his whole body and still be considered 'normal'?

Okay, that's not the reason.

Why then?

Simple: [1] I enjoy the training. [2] to see if I still have "balls". Excuse the language, but "balls" is a much more direct and emphasizing word than is "fortitude" or "guts".

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-- Every morning brings opportunity;
Each evening offers judgement. --

Are you sharing wetsuit photos? ;)

triathlon keeps me away from my destructive vices & to save my liver

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http://www.clevetriclub.com

rob reddy

I like being unique.

All through High School, I played the mainstream sports (F-ball, both B-balls), and even in college I played football. But, I was always interested in the non-mainstream sports.

After college I began marathon training. Over the last 2 years that has evolved into Triathlon. What keeps me in it? The pain, being unique, great way to define one's self, comraderie, travel and new places, etc, etc...

Overall, I like who I am as a triathlete more than in any other sport. It's suits my personality very well.

-Brian

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-Brian

We have a pool and a pond. A pond would be good for you, Karl. - Ty

As Edmond Hillory said when asked Why he wanted to Climb Everest -- "Because it is there"

It's cheaper than drinking and the feeling you get training and racing last longer.

1. While some people in this world like the rose blossom... I have always preferred the thorns.

2. To prove to myself that I am not getting old.

Say it with me, I'm not old, I'm not old, I'm not old, I'm not old, I'm not old, I'm not old, I'm not old, I'm not old, I'm not old, I'm not old, I'm not old, I'm not old,

No really I'm not.

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1. It makes me feel/look better.
2. The personal challenge.
3. The "you are crazy" comments and stares.
4. No guilt cake eating.
5. Chicks in spandex.

Not.......for the love of God.........but, for me, for the love of the sport.

The training, the competition, the travel, the people.........I just plain love everything about it! Simple enough.

G

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It's a little like wrestling a gorilla.........you don't stop when you're tired.........you stop when the gorilla is tired.

It's cheaper than drinking and the feeling you get training and racing last longer.

You must have a REALLY high tolerance for alcohol.

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"People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world."

• The "threat" of an upcoming race gets my butt out the door to train consistently.
• This helps keep me fit which is very important to me.
• I want my daughters to be involved and enjoy sports, so I hope to be a good role model for them.
• The unbelievable amount of confidence I gained from completing my first 1/2 IM and my first marathon is something I'm continuing to ride. I am a much more confident person now than I was 4 years ago when I started this journey. This has helped me like myself more and be happier all around.
• The lure of Ironman keeps pulling at me. I am determined to finish an IM. Hoping for 2006, but we'll see how my 1/2's go next year.
• If I didn't participate in this sport, I wouldn't be spending so much time at Slowtwitch admiring the hottie thread!! :)

D.

What rocketboy said...competition (both others and self) and the comraderie. I have friends all over the US and the world because of triathlon, so I get to combine my love of travel with sport. Amazing!

clm

PS--The hottie tri boys count too.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

Had. But admittedly, I only have a $2,000 road bike that I got last year. And only plan on spending about the same on a tri bike this fall.

Without triathlon, there would be no SlowTwitch.
Without Slowtwitch... uhhhh... I just don't want to think about that. ;)

Ok. Seriously, I dunno. I grew up racing bikes. In highschool, I wanted to learn how to swim - so I talked to the coach and trained with the girl's swim team. I started running maybe 6 years ago. Once I started that, triathlon just seemed like a natural step. Since I was never particularly gifted at any of the three, I figured why not combine them and just suck at one sport instead? ;)

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<If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough>
Get Fitter!
Proud member of the Smartasscrew, MONSTER CLUB
Get your FIX today?

It's perfect for an ADD person like myself. I get tired of one sport, I do another. I just love the challenge of putting all three sports together, and trying to kick some ass out there. Where else can a 50 year old woman get her jollies blowing off 30 year old guys on the bike? I've gotten to meet some realy neat people along the way, and travelled to some interesting places. It's also a sport where being a jack of all trades, master of none actually works.

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Tri-ing for a cure.

NYtrigal's Team in Training Page

Because I have too many injuries from just running alone. Triathlon gave me back some motivation to train. I've never been a team sport player and now I get to do 3 sports regularly, which are keeping me fit. It has introduced me to a new group of friends (mostly online) who keep me going and are kind enough to pass on their hard earned knowlege to help
me reach the goals I've set.

Recently I had my brother-in-law, his son (age 10) and a friend of their's to stay for a holiday. The friend is just a few years older than me, overweight, unfit and not into sports, while on holiday I got up early to go running and they just couldn't understand why I would do that on a 'Holiday'. We spent a couple of days in the jungle, and got to climb up into the top of the tree canopies, along suspension walkways, scramble up streams and waterfalls etc. My nephew came out of his shell and loved it, but the friend couldn't physically do most of this, and had to sit waiting for us.

I get to spend fun time with my nephew, and enjoy being able to wear him out. He thinks I'm a crazy old guy, but he sees me go out training in the mornings, and looks at the photos of me climbing and skydiving and told me I'm pretty cool for a grown up. It was worth a month of early morning workouts just to hear that.

J.

I was bored in college and now I can't stop.

Seriously, I wanted to meet this girl in college so i joined the triathlon club in an attempt to talk to her. That lasted two weeks, but 10 years later i'm still stuck with this sport. At ;)

J

"So, it is an aesthetically beautiful sport"

Prince Edward County isn't too bad in the summer either is it Allan? Whoops ..ssshhhh....might want to keep that a secret.

Other than the obvious which is to keep in shape, healthy heart and all that...it gives my kids something (or something else) to be proud of. Their father is a triathete, he can swim, bike & run rings around all the other dads. Also, they've seen me struggle and hurt, but keep on going, not a bad lesson for life. My 9 year old son and 19 year old daugther have both have the tri bug! My daughter wants a real "tri" bike for Christmas! How cool is that?

Because of you and only you my little kitten.

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customerjon @gmail.com is where information happens.

Hey Cerveloguy

You should drop me a line some time when you want to ride PEC.

Prince Edward County is awesome for riding. I did 181k today riding from my place out into the county to Milford and back. It is my "wind preparation" area to train since once you get out by North Beach, the winds are always strong. I may not be totally prepared for the heat in Kona but I think that I'll be ready for any wind problems. Last week I went even farther (out to Waupaus) and the winds were quite strong out there. I also passed a number of bike tour groups that appeared to be following the road out to the winery..... they looked at me like I was nuts since I was going pretty hard and most of them were on hybrids and a few recumbants.

Allan,

I love riding in PEC. Done centuries there. Try to get there whenever possible. Beautiful scenery and the locals tend to be very respectful of cyclists since they are so used to us.

I doubt if I'd be able to keep up with you though. Would have to try to suck on to your rear wheel and hope for the best!

Always lots of cyclists in PEC. Like you say - lots of hybrid pleasure groups. There's also a couple of decent roadie groups that ride out of there regularly that I'm aware of. The "chain gang" out of Belleville and also another group that meets at the Bloomfield Bicycle Shop. I don't know if you know Rick from the Bloomfield shop but he is an absolutely amazing bike mechanic.

Definately a great area for cycling. They should bring a tri to PEC. It's got everything for the swim, bike and run..

I was thinking that the Sandbanks would be an awesome place for an Olympic distance or half IM race. You could swim in West Lake, bike the county down through Cherry Valley and then run that neat road connecting the Outlet and West Lake sections. Bloomfield Bicycle Co. is a neat little shop. I went there 2 years ago to rent a mountain bike for an adventure race that I was doing and Rick sent me off with his own personal bike since he thought that I should have a better bike for racing on than their standard rentals. Definitely worthwhile driving a bit to see him.

"Rick sent me off with his own personal bike since he thought that I should have a better bike for racing on than their standard rentals."

Hehehehe. That is really cool. Sounds just like Rick!

I am committed to a lifetime of fitness. In trying to avoid what I call 'the sins of the father' I began working out regularly in 2001, and excessively in 2003. Prior to that, my fitness was an on again, off again thing depending on my job, income, schedule, etc. A friend suggested that I do tri's after realizing how much time I was spending working out. He used to do short course racing, and thought it would be good for me. I, being slow, immediately started focusing on long course.

I never really had it as a goal to become a triathlete, and don't know that I consider myself one. I have wanted to do an Ironman ever since I first heard about them in 1989(or thereabouts), and I did my first this year(coincidentally, my Dad died of a heart attack four weeks before the race). It won't be my last, but recovery has had me inactive for almost two months, and now that I am getting back, I find that it will be hard to get back into it.

Like many who do this sport, I am more about the training than the racing. My goal for next season will be to do some more races, meet some people, and generally have fun, which I didn't do much of while training for IM. My two long term goals are to do Lanzarote, and to maybe get to Hawaii. In the meantime, I am trying to improve my swim and bike times.

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