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Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon
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As per her Instagram, she is retiring and taking up trail running. Quite shocked to hear this given her breakthrough year last year winning back to back Ironman races. Says she "fell out of love with the sport". Was coached by Brett Sutton.......Please feel free to jump to your own conclusions.
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [CgyTriGuy] [ In reply to ]
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Less surprised that she retired, just surprised at the timing (as in now, after that breakthrough year, rather than at the end of the season, after giving Kona one more go...)
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [CgyTriGuy] [ In reply to ]
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She pops up here once in a while, hopefully she chimes in...

808 > NYC > PDX > YVR
2024 Races: Taupo
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [CgyTriGuy] [ In reply to ]
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CgyTriGuy wrote:
As per her Instagram, she is retiring and taking up trail running. Quite shocked to hear this given her breakthrough year last year winning back to back Ironman races. Says she "fell out of love with the sport". Was coached by Brett Sutton.......Please feel free to jump to your own conclusions.

Rather shocked to hear this I and really hate to hear this. Kirsty has so much talent and I really wanted to see the best version of herself succeed in triathlon. I wish her the best on her new endeavor in trail running.


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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [CgyTriGuy] [ In reply to ]
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CgyTriGuy wrote:
As per her Instagram, she is retiring and taking up trail running. Quite shocked to hear this given her breakthrough year last year winning back to back Ironman races. Says she "fell out of love with the sport". Was coached by Brett Sutton.......Please feel free to jump to your own conclusions.

My conclusion is she realized triathlon is full of narcissistic losers.
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [NordicSkier] [ In reply to ]
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NordicSkier wrote:
CgyTriGuy wrote:
As per her Instagram, she is retiring and taking up trail running. Quite shocked to hear this given her breakthrough year last year winning back to back Ironman races. Says she "fell out of love with the sport". Was coached by Brett Sutton.......Please feel free to jump to your own conclusions.

My conclusion is she realized triathlon is full of narcissistic losers.


This made my day!🤣
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [NordicSkier] [ In reply to ]
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NordicSkier wrote:
CgyTriGuy wrote:
As per her Instagram, she is retiring and taking up trail running. Quite shocked to hear this given her breakthrough year last year winning back to back Ironman races. Says she "fell out of love with the sport". Was coached by Brett Sutton.......Please feel free to jump to your own conclusions.


My conclusion is she realized triathlon is full of narcissistic losers.

Conclusion #2:
After winning a couple of races she discovered her net income from triathlon as a professional triathlete would put her below the poverty line, so she decided to do something fun instead.
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [CgyTriGuy] [ In reply to ]
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I'm more shocked Luke Perry from 90210 & "Riverdale" died at the age of 52 from a massive stroke!
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [CgyTriGuy] [ In reply to ]
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Super excited for her. The trail (mountain) running here in Boulder is incredible. It's a big reason why I'm still here despite not racing triathlon much anymore. It's exactly the mental break a top level triathlete needs (I'm always trying to get them out to run with me, especially in winter!)

-Bryan Journey
Travel Blog | Training Blog | Facebook Page
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [NordicSkier] [ In reply to ]
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Hey, I’m even surprised I got a thread on here! So, thanks for that! The decision to retire has been a long time coming. I’ve wanted to retire since last October. The reality is, I kind of lost my “mojo”. I stopped caring about the sport, it didn’t seem worthwhile to put off life and train to the highest level, to only feel unfulfilled. My story is a little different than most pros. I quit I high paying job in finance in NYC to pursue triathlon. I thought of myself as a start up business. I was willing to spend money to have the best equipment etc, as I knew my own talent and believed I could be one of the best in the sport. I won two Ironman’s last year, which im Very proud of. I started working with an agent after that, Franko.... the reality is I couldn’t get one sponsor to give me a contract that pays, just product. It was highly offensive and made me depressed to be honest. At any rate, the sponsorship factor was just the straw on the camels back. I felt like I gave up everything to train at the highest level, and honestly was done with the sacrifice. By moving to pure running I can be more well rounded, work, go skiing etc. Most of all, I was seeking happiness. I wasn’t happy training my ass off for triathlon anymore. I needed a change, something different. I’ve always been an excellent trail runner, so I think this will suit me well. The ultra/trail world is very chill, and I won’t be doing it as my sole purpose. Anyhow, that’s probably enough for now. I’m happy to answer questions if they arise.

“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” – Steve Prefontaine | http://www.kirstyjahntriathlon.com | twitter: @kirstyjahntri
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [JourneyToGoPro] [ In reply to ]
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Speaking of which, you racing this year?
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [KirstyJahn] [ In reply to ]
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KirstyJahn wrote:
Hey, I’m even surprised I got a thread on here! So, thanks for that! The decision to retire has been a long time coming. I’ve wanted to retire since last October. The reality is, I kind of lost my “mojo”. I stopped caring about the sport, it didn’t seem worthwhile to put off life and train to the highest level, to only feel unfulfilled. My story is a little different than most pros. I quit I high paying job in finance in NYC to pursue triathlon. I thought of myself as a start up business. I was willing to spend money to have the best equipment etc, as I knew my own talent and believed I could be one of the best in the sport. I won two Ironman’s last year, which im Very proud of. I started working with an agent after that, Franko.... the reality is I couldn’t get one sponsor to give me a contract that pays, just product. It was highly offensive and made me depressed to be honest. At any rate, the sponsorship factor was just the straw on the camels back. I felt like I gave up everything to train at the highest level, and honestly was done with the sacrifice. By moving to pure running I can be more well rounded, work, go skiing etc. Most of all, I was seeking happiness. I wasn’t happy training my ass off for triathlon anymore. I needed a change, something different. I’ve always been an excellent trail runner, so I think this will suit me well. The ultra/trail world is very chill, and I won’t be doing it as my sole purpose. Anyhow, that’s probably enough for now. I’m happy to answer questions if they arise.

Good for you! Enjoy your new endeavors. :)
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [KirstyJahn] [ In reply to ]
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pick up skimo, perfect winter running compliment and much more fun than tri (sorry everybody)
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [Grant.Reuter] [ In reply to ]
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Kirsty, great choice. The time commitments to race triathlon at that level are tremendous and make it so difficult to maintain a balanced enjoyable lifestyle (Always tough to get anyone to come for a drink with Steve and I). Mountain running is the perfect mental break/change. Building a brand takes a lot of time and moving across disciplines could also end up helping tremendously in that regard as well (if it is even still a concern)

Grant.Reuter wrote:
Speaking of which, you racing this year?

Two sprints. Loveland Lake to Lake and Boulder Sunrise. Sign up and do them with me! (Also Leadville 100 MTB for fun)

-Bryan Journey
Travel Blog | Training Blog | Facebook Page
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [JourneyToGoPro] [ In reply to ]
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Not to segue it but what ever happen to your JourneyToGroPro. You stopped writing. Last I remember you were overtrained, in Clermont... Ironically that is where I live now. How did you get to Boulder?


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Last edited by: Thomas Gerlach: Mar 4, 19 18:50
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [KirstyJahn] [ In reply to ]
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KirstyJahn wrote:
I won two Ironman’s last year

...

the reality is I couldn’t get one sponsor to give me a contract that pays, just product. It was highly offensive

your word choice is very interesting. why, specifically, did you use the word "offensive?"
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [jkhayc] [ In reply to ]
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jkhayc wrote:
KirstyJahn wrote:
I won two Ironman’s last year

...

the reality is I couldn’t get one sponsor to give me a contract that pays, just product. It was highly offensive


your word choice is very interesting. why, specifically, did you use the word "offensive?"

I was thinking the same thing

They constantly try to escape from the darkness outside and within
Dreaming of systems so perfect that no one will need to be good T.S. Eliot

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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [NordicSkier] [ In reply to ]
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NordicSkier wrote:
Conclusion #2:
After winning a couple of races she discovered her net income from triathlon as a professional triathlete would put her below the poverty line, so she decided to do something fun instead.

Ding Ding. Winner.
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [NordicSkier] [ In reply to ]
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NordicSkier wrote:
NordicSkier wrote:

Conclusion #2:
After winning a couple of races she discovered her net income from triathlon as a professional triathlete would put her below the poverty line, so she decided to do something fun instead.


Ding Ding. Winner.

You dinged your own reply??? Fwiw, she has undergrad degree in math for Nova. She has a Master's in mathematical finance from Columbia. She worked on Wall Street. There are a plethora of professional triathletes who do triathlon not for the sake of money. I am pretty sure she could have made more money on Wall Street working in a quant fund managing risk. Very much akin to Sarah Piampiano, Meredith Kessler, and Rachel Joyce.

However, speaking of math, the math changed at same point. Hard to say exactly when but someone who could have made decent coin in 2009 can't make decent coin in 2019. If you were fortunate to have established relationships in those glory days, guess what, you are still getting dropped. Trying to establish new relationships while also trying to be the best athlete you can be is a Fool's Errand. When I was at Challenge Daytona I was talking to a couple of big name pros who have been in the sport for a long time and made some decent coin at one point. One very notable one was dropped of every paid sponsorship position.

Regardless, if we all count our pennies, and probably for the Lav room for now but I'll mention it here anyway just to see if Corey is awake and chimes in but... if China has as much hidden debt as some of us suspect, and the housing market in China is starting to literally and figuratively crack and crumble right before our eyes (something some of us have suspected going on 10 years)... and the algos/quant got their Sharpe ratio wrong and quickly change to predicting a recession... and the lack of liquidity that can be provided and the life ropes that can't be thrown then god save us all because many good jobs will go up in smoke never to be filled again. So yah, if an athlete has a skill sport, even one that isn't really rewarded by society (in $$$), and for the most part it is healthy for society, then put it to use even if you could make more 8 hours a day, at a desk, working in Excel.

I think it is too bad she is leaving the sport. Having lived with various professional triathletes over the years, including Kirsty, there is no one else who just banged out the workouts like she did. Bang, bang, bang and she was done for the day before I even finished my first workout. She is excellent at execution, but if you lost the love, then I agree, it is pretty hard to be the best athlete you can be. At the end of the day if you don't love sport you won't succeed. It has been something I challenge every up and coming professional about. If you are just doing it to be a professional and chase sponsorship you are doing it for the wrong reasons and you will be squirted out as fast as you came.


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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [Thomas Gerlach] [ In reply to ]
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I'm well aware of her bio. It was this comment:

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I started working with an agent after that, Franko.... the reality is I couldn’t get one sponsor to give me a contract that pays, just product. It was highly offensive and made me depressed to be honest. At any rate, the sponsorship factor was just the straw on the camels back.

We all want to be rewarded for hard work...
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [CgyTriGuy] [ In reply to ]
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Who??
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [Thomas Gerlach] [ In reply to ]
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.[/quote]

However, speaking of math, the math changed at same point. Hard to say exactly when but someone who could have made decent coin in 2009 can't make decent coin in 2019. If you were fortunate to have established relationships in those glory days, guess what, you are still getting dropped. Trying to establish new relationships while also trying to be the best athlete you can be is a Fool's Errand. When I was at Challenge Daytona I was talking to a couple of big name pros who have been in the sport for a long time and made some decent coin at one point. One very notable one was dropped of every paid sponsorship position.
.[/quote]
As I listen to interviews with athletes from the last 3 years that's the sense I get now. From 2004-2015? More money being paid into the sport to races and professionals.
Thriathlon is a "Winner Takes All" sport, what does 3rd place take home?

10th place in the Masters in Golf still gets $300,000

Isn't this common in niche sports though? About a decade of decent pay as there is a boom then it fizzles?
I remember Dean Karnazes talking about his experience in professional windsurfing was like this.
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [NordicSkier] [ In reply to ]
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NordicSkier wrote:
I'm well aware of her bio. It was this comment:

Quote:
I started working with an agent after that, Franko.... the reality is I couldn’t get one sponsor to give me a contract that pays, just product. It was highly offensive and made me depressed to be honest. At any rate, the sponsorship factor was just the straw on the camels back.


We all want to be rewarded for hard work...


What we define as the reward differs based on the person, but if we are talking $$$ then I don't know if there is any money in trail running either. If anything I would think it is worse based on at least one friend that switched from ultra running to triathlon recently but I don't really know as I don't follow that scene. I do have an old triathlete girlfriend who was a very talented runner, ran at Miami OH. She couldn't swim though. She had a few kids and picked up the Spartan Race later on. For the amount she puts (sounds like about 1/4-1/2 of what a typical spartan racer does) she does well at the professional level. One of the Men's world champions is a former triathlete who I used to toe up against when I was an amateur back in 2010. He does well.

Regardless, the way I look at it is many of these things are once in a lifetime opportunities to do something different. Life is short, life is precious. So many people work their entire lives to retire and realize that retirement isn't all that it is cracked up to be. Might as well live your life if you can. To me it doesn't sound like it has anything to do with money. And there is plenty of money to be made in this sport, the problem is that the majority of triathletes don't actually follow the money. They follow things like Kona, and what does that get them??? Kirsty pretty much won Ironman Boulder as a glorified training day. something like 8k-15k for the win. Not bad for a training day. The one thing I always admired about Lauren Goss is her knack to know where to race. Some may call it cherry picking, but it was just more sound race selection with a focus on income IMHO Brett, Kirsty's old coach preached the same. Unfortunately, I was never a fan of QT2 race system fpr Kirsty which was basically, fly half way across the globe, put her on the start line with no other QT2 athlete, and race. Lot of travel, lots of risk, little reward when you factor in recovery, consistency etc and how the travel eats at any reward.

MBK did the following interview post New Zealand. In it she mentions how she is done with Ironman, 64 Ironmans, 40+ years old, going back to 70.3. She realizes she can race two a month as opposed to slogging in the training for an Ironman. More money, less training, and more time with the little one. Triathlon is what you make it and there is plenty of money to be made.


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Last edited by: Thomas Gerlach: Mar 5, 19 1:53
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [Stafford Brown] [ In reply to ]
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Re: Kirsty Jahn retires from triathlon [Thomas Gerlach] [ In reply to ]
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Thomas Gerlach wrote:
Not to segue it but what ever happen to your JourneyToGroPro. You stopped writing. Last I remember you were overtrained, in Clermont... Ironically that is where I live now. How did you get to Boulder?

Long story, but good to hear someone is interested! I'll try to do a thread and blog post about it soon!

-Bryan Journey
Travel Blog | Training Blog | Facebook Page
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