I learned a long time ago not to give advice to people that don’t ask, but I always strike up conversation with those around me on transition and provide positive statements.
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Fair enough, but you get my point.
I’m surprised - I still remember the day of being the terrified raw beginner at my first tri, and I spend 2 years fearing I’d be judged on my terrible swimming, but everyone at races and in the triclubs I’ve been in have been unfailingly nice and helpful.
Now in the mens competitive road cycling scene - that scene can get really angry and judgy quickly - and not all of it is unwarranted given the crash risks in tight group riding, but I’ve been yelled at for ridiculous things more than several times in roadie group rides (I always have loved the ‘accelerate smoother!’ from behind me when the guy in front of me rockets off at the stoplight) but never have encountered anything close to that in triathlon races/training.
I love talking to beginners/newbies in triathlon at races - they’re worrying about a very different set of problems I am as experienced person, and it’s fun to hear about it as well as the energy, excitement and even uncomfortableness with the race. That said it’s also fun to geek out with the experienced competitors there, but we do try and tone it down if there are newbs nearby!
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I went from being obsessive to do stuff that I think is cool and do some tris. The tri times didn’t change.
Now ride gravel bike in the mountains, run trails, lift weights and every so often swim.
Do park runs. Ride with friends three times a week before work. It’s all a lot more enjoyable
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No. Not at all. Some of the best ambassadors of tri that I’ve ever come across are the most experienced and often very good athletes. A snob becomes snobbish. A gracious competitor is always gracious.
Embrace everyone, offer encouragement, and shut up about “triathlon” unless someone specifically asks you something. Follow that mantra and you will be a well liked mate in transition. Maybe even in T3.
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Ya I wasn’t sure of what to make of Jen’s wondering too. I’ve never been to a race and seen anything like that. But I can totally see how someone might feel insecure and intimidated.
I relocated a lot as a child with my father’s employment, all over the world, and I eventually learned that every new person I met looked like an intimidating tough guy. But once I got to know them the same insecurities were there in us all.
The races I’ve been to and the people I’ve talked to, including my wife who is also a little insecure about her race fitness, has remarked time and again how being around triathletes is “her people” because they are all welcoming and supportive of every body size out there racing.
Definitely. 10-12 triathlons a season. Sprint and Olympic. Plus some Aquathlons. Mainly near Munich. But also road trips to France and UK every year. First triathlon in 1989. Although I haven’t counted, I’ve probably done over 300. Never really been interested in anything longer than Olympic Distance. Don’t want to train for it. And even in my 50s, I still like going fast.
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Very much disagree. Yes, there will always be the few, but the vast majority of triathletes are helpful and welcoming.
This can be tricky. Some may feel that they don’t want unsolicited advice, especially if it seems to come from listening in on a conversation. Encouragement is good.
As a new professional triathlete and coach, I have really seen the triathlon community growing and more and more, and people coming to events. everyone is coming to do a triathlon for their own reasons as we should be welcoming and encouraging as you say.
Every community - whether it’s triathlon, pickleball, Hardcore Punk shows - is going to have its gate-keepers as well as its gate-openers
And then there are people who just hop over the fence or the wall, altogether
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You know, I made that comment not as someone who has been doing this forever and just had my eyes opened. No, I made the comment because I still remember just four short years ago my first few triathlons. Some of the serious competitors wouldn’t talk to me. Some would, so I’m not trying to make a blanket statement, but there are people on both sides. Acknowledging that there are some members of the community goes a long way to starting the change, especially if you’re not one of them.
Again, I don’t mean this as a blanket criticism. I’ve met a lot of good people in triathlon. And it is a relatively small community so overall, I think more good than not. But going along and just saying that the attitude doesn’t exist is just denial.
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This might be a little bit off-topic, but we’re talking about communication, right? Especially with strangers?
I once did a duathlon which also had a triathlon going off at the same time, so half or so of the participants were lining up to stay their swim in one direction and the rest were lining up to start their run in the opposite
I get chatty as start time approaches, so I just happened to ask a group of swimmers "You’re not from around here, are you?’
“No, we’re from Pennsylvania” one of them answered “Why do you ask?”
“Well, people from around here know that there’s a sewage treatment facility, just upstream. Around that little bend in the river. You can’t see it from here, but … ‘local knowledge’ if you will”
“You’re fucking kidding me!!!”
“Nope. No way I’d swim in there. But at least you’re going away from it - I think that helps? Good luck and have a great race!!!”
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Oh damn! 
That’s just cruel. Funny. But, cruel.