Ok, in the past month, i’ve never in my WHOLE entire life seen so much bashing as I have on these forums towards Steve Larsen. Why is it that people dislike him so much, or think he’s overrated? Why is it that people constantly have to tell us why they think he’s taking the wrong career
path? Why can’t anyone be happy for his previous efforts and results, him having a family, and for him to bring himself away from something he loves so passionately to start a real life. Get over the fact that steve larsen is retired from professional competition for now, and wants to start a life devoted to things more important to him at this point in his life.
I didn’t really know much about steve larsen before coming into this forum, and after I had seen all of this bashing going on I decided to do a bit of research. Quite frankly he’s somebody that doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment, and people who are writing wrongful things about him, shame on you (you know who you all are). The man was a successful athlete, and I hope he’s a successful father, husband, real-estate broker, and now Age-Grouping triathlete racing for a worthy cause. Look at someone like Pierre Lavoie, from LaBaie in Quebec. Someone who’s children have a very rare disease, who worked for alcan (an aluminum foil company), devoted his life to raising money for their cause by racing triathlon. He recently came 3rd at ironman lakeplacid overall. He doesn’t race professional, I don’t see anyone bashing him.
3 09:27:22 LAVOIE, PIERRE LA BAIE QC CAN
Or what about his results at Ironman Kona 2004? and what about the ones to come?
It really takes a great person to do what pierre and steve are doing. And quite frankly I pity those who can’t come to terms with that. Shame on you.
Why is is that, as a species, we seem to get such pleasure out of kicking the crap out of other people rather than celebrating the gifts they (and we, surely) possess?
Losers complain. Losers see life as half full. Losers see life as “not fair”.
Losers never grew up.
I sure would love to have folks like Steve and others be welcomed here so we could get their insights on issues. Tips, etc. But so is the internet. There is always that small, vocal group who have such low low self esteem, they love trying to bring others to their level which somehow gives them satisfaction.
I think the people bashing Steve specifically were in the VAST minority, however vocal they may have been. Most posts from what I read were centered around problems with the system itself. And I applaud the efforts of anyone who creates a dialogue to make the sport better. But yes, bashing the individual is wrong.
Can you 100% say you have never dais an ill word about anyone Ted? Is the shame on you really necessary? Not that I may not agree with you but everyone is guilty of this at one point in their life.
I agree with you totally however, what need is there to bash someone or insult them if they haven’t done anything to me or anyone very close to me. It’s not like steve walks around telling people to go and f*** themselves. And i’m not just talking about the post by ErikS, i’m also talking about other posts which it comes up in, just bahing in general, not particularly steve even.
I moderate a forum at my homeowners association. How I do the moderation determines what type of people join and what reputation it has.
I wish dan would do more moderation and just first remove negative, personal attack posts. I also would like him to force everyone to register with there real names. I do not allow anyone on my forum which does not register with their real name. Dan should not allow any posts without the full signature of the person. Again, I do not allow posts on my forum with the full legal name. It is amazing how people change their posts when they have to sign it!!
Tedspace…Lavoie is the man. For any of you who read French, you can read about the rare disease that 2 of his children passed away from at Pierre’s foundation’s website:
www.aal.qc.ca
Pierre used to race pro in the 90’s, finishing top 5 at Ironman Brazil and Ironman Lanzarote. He won pretty well every race there was to win in Quebec, but rarely raced away from home due to his family committments and the health of his children. He is one of the top masters XC skiers in Canada too. He won Hawaii 40-44 last year. When he raced pro, he was raising a family and working at Alcan. He now races age group. At LP this year, no one had to cry about Pierre taking their slot cause he had an automatic invite back to Kona on account of being the age group winner last year.
Let’s face it. Lots of older age groups are stacked with ex pros. I say, bring em on. I want to race all the best in my age group head to head. I can’t think of anything more cool than one day sharing a podium with Pierre. It aint gonna be in an Ironman, but perhaps at a local event at a shorter distance.
Dev, it’s great that other canadians are aware of him and his accomplishments. Did you know that last year in the montreal triathlon he did an extra loop on the bike and still won?
“Why is is that, as a species, we seem to get such pleasure out of kicking the crap out of other people rather than celebrating the gifts they (and we, surely) possess?”
If it wasn’t for all the crazy, unbalanced obsessive people around making outrageous statements about stuff they know nothing about, how could we continue feeling so smug abut how balanced, thoughtful and generous we are?
Losers complain. Losers see life as half full. Losers see life as “not fair”.
Losers never grew up.
Winners go home and fuck the prom queen. I agree that the Larsen bashing is just stupid. If the guy is naturally talented enough to be as fast as he is on less training than most of us AGers then good on him.
Um…no…I once raced an ABR “citizens” race and won by a HUGE margin (USCF CAT2 at the time)…I told the marshall to DQ me, he didnt and wouldnt…I then at awards gave my trophy to the second place guy, who gave his to third, who have his to fourth…that was not my race to win.