If my race performance isn’t up to my expectations I chalk it up to being a learning experience and say I’m still new at this. How long is this excuse good for (am finishing first season, a few olympics and 3 halfs)?
you are not a newbie…game is up…and you have no excuse.
until you train more than 6 hours a week, then you are a pro and can never be anything else ever again. So, hold onto your newbie card like its gold.
I’m sorry, I just can’t help myself.
Considering that conventional wisdom says you can continue to improve in disciplines like running, cycling and swimming for 7 or more years from the time you start, regardless of the age you start at, you’ve got quite a bit of leeway as far as chalking any less than stellar outings up as learning experiences. Even jaded veterans can learn a little something pretty much every time out, otherwise what fun would it be?
I don’t really like the “newbie” term but regardless, you’ve raced enough that you are no longer a beginner so there’s no need to self-deprecate in that way. It’s a lifestyle, not a grading scale. A little humility is always good, along with a little confidence. Too much of either, not so good.
Do you really need to bring this up?!?!? I’m trying to hold on to my newbie card as long as possible. I love sandbagging 
The frist time this happens
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=491121;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;guest=4478799
you are no longer “new” to the sport.
no longer a n_____.
dislike that term to begin with.
someone referring to someone else as a newbie, to me, sounds rather elitish.
you will always be new at this. everytime you start off you will find out something you didn’t know before.
every single time.
In that case I plan on retaining my newbie status for a long time!!!
if you have to ask, you are still a newb.
I’m happy retaining newbie status - don’t find it insulting in the least. I’m still a spaz at races and have a lot to learn (like just because it rains the entirety of the bike course doesn’t mean you shouldn’t drink fluids) and it seems like the learning curve is pretty steep. But if I translated this over to another arena, like say marathons, and I said I was still a newbie to marathons after completing 5 or 6, well people would look at me like I was nuts.
until you train more than 6 hours a week, then you are a pro and can never be anything else ever again.
I’m a pro! Damn, that was easy, except I gotta change my username again.
Hey, how is that roadie infiltration going?
Hey, how is that roadie infiltration going?
HA! I was just thinking of that this morning as I was on a ride. I have my first group ride on Sunday - infiltration has commenced.
If my race performance isn’t up to my expectations I chalk it up to being a learning experience and say I’m still new at this. How long is this excuse good for (am finishing first season, a few olympics and 3 halfs)?
Dude, you did a few Olys and 3 halfs your first season?! You are a machine!
Remember to bring along a suicide pill in case you are discovered. Those roadies are nasty SOBs.
Remember to bring along a suicide pill in case you are discovered. Those roadies are nasty SOBs.
Duely noted. I will also be donning a protective face sheild in case GU is flung. I will approach calmly and quietly, and will attempt to not corner the roadies…
The frist time this happens
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=491121;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;guest=4478799
you are no longer “new” to the sport.
Then I graduated from “newbieness” a long long time ago. New York City marathon taught me not to drink coffee before an event when I don’t drink coffee on a regular basis. It was ugly.
As long as you’re almost drowning, you’re definitely a newbie. 
as long as you keep asking questions like that. chuckle
I started racing in 2001. I still consider myself a newbie.
That said, I think there’s never a valid excuse for results. You get what you get because of the circumstances. There are reasons, not excuses.