Either that, or orthodox Jews. I can barely find one triathlon or Xterra event that isn’t on Sunday. It’s kind of disappointing. I talked to a race director once about it and was told it’s because Sunday is a quieter day in general, but I want to go to church. What’s up? Only Ironman races are usually on Saturday. Ughh!!
I’m sure your god wont mind if you’re not in church and are doing a triathlon instead. Afterall, you’re out there using that incredible instrument he/she made.
Maybe you could give a pre-race prayer, hand out pamphlets–you know, just in case somebody hasn’t “heard about Jesus”–and generally be annoying!
wow, that sounded pretty harsh. Its just an observation.
I work a Tues-Sat job, and I absolutely HATE how many races are on Saturday. I say more races on Sunday!!! I probably miss about half of the races on the calendar because of it being on Saturday. When I get into a Mon-Fri job, I will say whichever weekend day is convenient.
Many congregations hold Saturday or midweek services, I would suggest going to one of those if you feel the need to keep the sabbath holy on race week. God knows your intentions, and if you end up in hell for eternity, I doubt (from what I have read in the Bible) it would have much to do with missing church on a few Sundays.
We are not pagans! Each of us worships Gerad in our own way. 
Isn’t that one of the great benefits of faith? You know you are challenged to give up something you love in return for a greater love?
“Run” with your conscience, or as the French say “A clear conscience is the softest pillow.”
-Robert
Don’t tempt me into publishing my Gerard’s Prayer.
I grew up Catholic and always wondered why they offered a Saturday afternoon mass in addition to the regular Sunday morning slate. Now I know its to accomodate the many Catholic triathletes.
Perhaps this post would be more appropriate for the Lavender room?
In any case, responses to questions of this kind on this forum tend to be exceptionally shallow. Recall the thread about ‘triathlon is my religion.’
I think that as you pointed out, when races first started up years ago, Sunday was the quiet day of the week. In my area, there was no Sunday shopping at the time, and Sunday was indeed a very quiet days on the roads except for church going traffic. It’s a bit different now with Sunday shopping and I see no difference in sat/sun traffic. So it might just be historical precedent that is keeping races on Sunday.
Saturday is a nicer day to race, in my mind. Then you have Sunday to do other things, get in some more long training, relax at home, with friends or family. But Sat. races are still a rarity. Not sure why some of the IM series races are on Sat. Personally, I think that in IMH case this is a detriment to the races media coverage. Most major papers do not publish on Sunday. Therefore there is no coverage of the event on that day. The come Monday the IMH news must compete with all the other weekend sports news - everything from NFL football, to golf and whatever, that it often get’s lost in the mix.
Fleck
You make it sound like it is wrong to be a pagan or Jew or Muslim. If you feel this way so strongly one way to fix it is to run your own Christian triathlon on Saturdays.
Most tris down here in the Bible Belt are on Saturdays. Some, but not that many on Sundays.
While I agree that it’s bad, it’s not the nightmare scenario. Can you imagine if Triathlon had races on Sunday…DURING FOOTBALL SEASON???
Oh man, I need to sit down, the thought of that is just too overwhelming.
Best TourdeFrance DVD quote while riding the trainer this morning-
“Armstrong’s cadence damns his competetors to second and third place…he wanted to win the Time Trial…and he always comes up on time for his rendevous’…” classic
It is actually much simpler than that.
Saturday is the travel day. Arrive, eat a nice meal, stay at a hotel, relax. Sunday, race in the morning, drive home in the afternoon. No time off required.
there may also be something to the roads being quieter on a Sunday morning, meaning closed roads for races have less of an impact on the community.
But, yes, a lot of people in this world do not practice religion (or at least organized religion) and don’t go to church. Many millions. So there is that.
Basically you can’t please all the people all the time fits here. Everyone has different preferences for different reasons.
Try the Muncie Endurathon…great race, and it’s on a Saturday.
The club I run with has tried races on Friday evening (summer) and Saturday. Neither day seems to be as big a draw as Sunday.
Personally I like to have the day after a race to totally relax. I like to go out and celebrate after the race. Having to work on the Monday after a race isn’t ideal.
As to the Saturday travel day. I know it is a reason why, but is there anything worse then doing a hard half iron and afterwards having to load up and drive back home… all the halfs I do are at least 4 hours drive from home.
to tell you the truth, i do a lot more praying while racing (especially on the run), than i have ever done in a church. racing truly does, IMHO, bring me closer to God…
yes
LOL
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I had enough church before I was 15 yr old. Then I discovered long bike rides on Sundays…
BTW I’m proud to be a pagan.
I’ll go to back church the day I can’t race anymore… Say after 75 yr ol.