I had the chance to run into Chrissie Wellington in Kona during the Ironman expo at the cannondale tent. I politely asked her for a photo and was told just a second. I could see that she was speaking with some lady, possibly her pr person, so I patiently waited. After about 5 mins I just left. The reason that I bring this up is because shortly before this I ran into Jason Lester and he had to be one of the most energetic and enthusiastic person I’ve ever met. I got a picture and we chatted for a few minutes. You could say that both of those triathletes are at different levels, while Jason Lester may be more noticeable of a person outside the tri world, Chrissie is by far the better athlete.
I am by no means taking anything away from Chrissie because she is awesome and her accomplishments show it. But the view that I took away from Chrissie Wellington is how I now view Micheal Jordan(best b-baller ever) after his induction to the hall of fame speech(check it out if you haven’t heard it, he flew in his high school teammate just to rip on him). The competive nature of Chrissie I think brings out a bit of arrogance, cockiness, and pride, which is probably why she is so good at what she does. Chrissie’s smile to me is like a signature, just like Michael Jordan stuck his tongue out. This is coming from someone who is new to triathlons and went to Kona to enjoy the festivities and take in the much needed sunshine.
Has anyone else noticed this about Chrissie? Also, do you think her attitude changed since her first win in Kona?
I met her last year when she was dropping her bike off and she stopped and took a photo and spoke with my wife and I for a few mins. She could not have been nicer.
hmm…the key part of what you wrote is: she was speaking with someone…
I guess the rest is not really useful. You’re in Kona, for the big dance, everyone seems to love CW. If she said yes right away to everyone for a picture, she probably would just be heading out to the Pier to start the race now…
I have never met her. I have had moments where I was wrapped up in something and forgot about something else. Happens to all of us. I am not sure I would extrapolate much of her personality from this one isolated experience at a crowded expo before one of her biggest races of the year.
Sure I totally understand. I just notice that some athletes that become dominate at their sport share similar demeanors which helps them to keep at the top of their game. I don’t know Chrissie and I’m not saying that she is a mean person at all. Just thought I would ask.
When my wife and I met her at Timberman I was shocked at how much time she spent talking with us and how she really went out of her way to ask my wife about her training and racing. She seemed super genuinely nice. No way she was faking it.
I am by no means taking anything away from Chrissie …
When you create post with the title you did, you are taking something away.
Have the freaking balls to say you think she aint’ all that. But throwing out the “I don’t feel this way, but thought, you know, maybe someone might want to talk about it” is just lame.
I had the chance to run into Chrissie Wellington in Kona during the Ironman expo at the cannondale tent. I politely asked her for a photo and was told just a second. I could see that she was speaking with some lady, possibly her pr person, so I patiently waited. After about 5 mins I just left. The reason that I bring this up is because shortly before this I ran into Jason Lester and he had to be one of the most energetic and enthusiastic person I’ve ever met. I got a picture and we chatted for a few minutes. You could say that both of those triathletes are at different levels, while Jason Lester may be more noticeable of a person outside the tri world, Chrissie is by far the better athlete.
I am by no means taking anything away from Chrissie because she is awesome and her accomplishments show it. But the view that I took away from Chrissie Wellington is how I now view Micheal Jordan(best b-baller ever) after his induction to the hall of fame speech(check it out if you haven’t heard it, he flew in his high school teammate just to rip on him). The competive nature of Chrissie I think brings out a bit of arrogance, cockiness, and pride, which is probably why she is so good at what she does. Chrissie’s smile to me is like a signature, just like Michael Jordan stuck his tongue out. This is coming from someone who is new to triathlons and went to Kona to enjoy the festivities and take in the much needed sunshine.
Has anyone else noticed this about Chrissie? Also, do you think her attitude changed since her first win in Kona?
I guess you should have waited and find out if she would have dedicated you a decent amount of time like she did for the other people.
If this is an opportunity to flame, then flame on.
I enjoy an athlete that has a sense of arrogance and cockiness. I just didn’t think that Chrissie had that and if she does that is just fine with me. when reading the live updates on the web I guess she waved a camera man away. That to me shows some aggressiveness and determination to win.
I am by no means taking anything away from Chrissie …
When you create post with the title you did, you are taking something away.
Have the freaking balls to say you think she aint’ all that. But throwing out the “I don’t feel this way, but thought, you know, maybe someone might want to talk about it” is just lame.
I was out running once and she biked by in the opposite direction. I waved to her and she waved back even though she was in the middle of something. Our observations cancel each other out so she must be nice after all.
A professional triathlete is a professional in advertising. Their job is to sell themselves. Every time Chrissie smiles for the camera, or stops to chat with someone, she is increasing her value, and making money. At the same time, she has one of the best jobs in the world, and has to know it.
Is she a sincerely happy and friendly person? Almost certainly - you’d go crazy faking it that much, that often. At the same time, to think that it isn’t at least sometimes contrived would be crazy in my opinion - she has to at least have it in the back of her mind that every time someone gets a good impression of her, her sponsor checks go up slightly.
A professional triathlete is a professional in advertising. Their job is to sell themselves. Every time Chrissie smiles for the camera, or stops to chat with someone, she is increasing her value, and making money. At the same time, she has one of the best jobs in the world, and has to know it.
Is she a sincerely happy and friendly person? Almost certainly - you’d go crazy faking it that much, that often. At the same time, to think that it isn’t at least sometimes contrived would be crazy in my opinion - she has to at least have it in the back of her mind that every time someone gets a good impression of her, her sponsor checks go up slightly.
Great point, thanks
