Bjorn, I’ve been doing triathlons 21 years now. Over 200 of the things.
Last Saturday was the first time in almost 15 years, since the Allen/Scott duel that there was a “buzz”, a sensation.
You set the tri world spinning on a different axis. It takes a special character to do that.
Thanks. I appreciate it. Awesome performance.
seriously tom, did you have to start another bjorn thread?
I’m just getting warmed up.
Tom, not to take away from Bjorn’s great accomplishment, but how bout the buzz when Lothar Leder first went sub 8 at Roth in 1996 or the subsequent year when LVL, Zack, Hellreigel and Leder all went sub 8. Back then we were talking about these guy eventually going sub 7:45 which has not materialized (arguably on Roth’s suspiciously short course). Or when Larsen hammered the tri world when he won Ironman LP 2002, blowing away Hellriegel’s bike record and still posting a very respectable 2:55 run on a tough course ! I think you were in NZ and thus totally stoked by being a live spectator on course :-).
Personally I’d say that Clas Bjorling’s 2:42 run split was the greater achievement. When was the last time someone ran 2:42 on a legit Ironman run course (thus excluding the Peter Reid 2:38 on the short Austria course in 1999 or so) ?
Either way, Bjorn inspired me to get on my bike this week which has only seen five half hour roller rides all winter 
The Leder thing was huge too, as was that awesome run split.
Despite clm’s pleas for Tom to get professional counseling, it’s obvious that he has finally fallen into love again…
Thanks Tom, I appreciate the kind words!
I still got a lot to learn though and as others have pointed out there are still many faster IM athletes than me.
yes, but as they say in the U.S.: you got game.
And rightfully so!
Bjorn? He got mad skillz!
I loved watching Bjorn race but most of all I enjoy his humble attitude.
Agreed.
Anyone else concerned that Tom’s Bjorn fixation might get in the way of his budding romance with Claudia?
Yeah Tom, sorry to dissapoint you, but it seems bjorn is more interested in Becca’s boobs than your man-loving.
Tom,
I understand your excitment with Bjorn,let’s face it you live, sleep, eat, bikes and triathlon. And Bjorn blew away the field by 18 minutes, and has a huge future ahead of him. All in all it is very exciting… And Bjorn seems like a very nice, humble human being.
It is exciting to see a new personality come along.
Admittedly, there are a lot of stand-out perfromances in our sport. Heather Gollnick is another sensational one that comes to mind. The story of Gordo Byrn is incredibly compelling also. Absolutely amazing.
There is a certain “shine” to the story of Bjorn Andersson- a visceral power. It makes you feel as though anything is possible- the moniker WTC has been using.
Becasue I am a cyclist and yeah, I do eat, breath, and live this sport literally 24/7 it is an enormous happening for me. I love tha makings of a sensational Cinderella story.
Of course there is an element of sensation to it, but that is part of the fun too. Being a witness in the front row seat is incredible. I saw the man on the bike in the race. I tell you, it was breathtaking.
I still don’t have any idea who Claudia is and I didn’t even know Becca was a girl.
I thought Becca was a valley in Israel where the 1973 six day war was fought…
You should always know your competition Tom, espcially in this case. Becca’s boobs > Tom’s man-loving, so you need every edge you can get.
What?