Lock_N_Load wrote:
42point2 wrote:
Lock_N_Load wrote:
Herbert wrote:
Unless you have a pro card you are an age grouper. And if you have a pro card but don’t earn a living you simply have a pro card but aren’t a pro.This story is only interesting if this is a working stiff like the rest of us who somehow has been able to make it to the tippy top of the Age Group field. If he is a pro in every aspect except having his pro-card then this is the story of a wannabe pro that has a long way to go to be competitive with the big boys. What's the big deal, is his job a secret? Is he independently wealthy? Is his wife (partner) a working professional and sustains him? This is really not all that compelling if this guy doesn't really work for a living.
It don't necessarily mean his job is a secret, the story is just about him doing Triathlon. It seems like everyone is trying to say it's not that impressive because he seems to be wealthy and have unlimited time to train. How many people can become age group world champion only 4 years after their first Triathlon, that's very impressive. Even if he was working full time, I'm sure he would of still been in the mix. Being able to train full time doesn't suddenly take you from middle of the pack to front of pack.
I agree the guy is an athletic specimen but what makes stories like Skye Moench's and Kat Matthews' (both who followed a similar pattern as this guy to the pro ranks) so compelling is that they truly had to make that shift from regular AG'er to pro. Herbert totally leaves that aspect of this guy's development out of the story. Glaring miss.
Quoting this part of the thread, but directing to Herbert if he is reading. I think there are many people who have good genetics, a good sport background and are at a sub pro level quickly. Peter Reid's story was like that. Then he went from a fast age grouper to a fast pro in one year quitting any part time jobs he had and going "all in".
Herbert, if you can come back with that else he does outside of triathlon, I think it would make the story more compelling, or it may be a story of a full time athlete, who is at the bottom end of being able to race pro and could maybe turn into the next fast pro.