From the news section:
“Legendary endurance athlete, professional triathlete, and Epic Camp instructor, Gordo Byrn originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, now living in New Zealand, will make his Desoto debut in 2004.”
I really respect Gordo for everything he’s done and is doing, but legendary? Come on…
I like XTRi and used to write for them a couple years ago. I think they do a fine job. I didn’t (and don’t) get paid to say that.
Also, I will politely disagree with you on Gordo’s legendary status. Strange you should mention it in fact…
Yesterday I was think that he IS a legend. Here’s why:
If you look at a lot of the posts on this forum they are people trying to come to grips with having an Ironman performance that meets their expectations. How do you manage time? How do you deal with the fatigue? The injuries? HOw do professional athletes do it? Can a “regular person” ever hope to do? What seperates the 8:30 IM crowd from us, the mortals at 10, 11, 12 hours? Do we ever have a hope?
Gordo prved we do. He showed what needed to be done and he did it. he set an example. He made the dream real.
Can a person do it? Yes, they can. Gordo did.
I call that the very definaition of a legend.
Now, given, I like “hero” stories and personalities with legendary qualities. I like to think someone is a legend, so I am not too cynical about such things.
But I think Gordo has durable and exceptional credibility and did something that leaves people (me at least) in awe.
When I shoke his hand in NZ I was star struck. He is awesome. To be in the same race with him was an enormous honor.
Gordo a legend? Yes, I believe he is.
I think Gordo is a legend too, but to really view him as one of us “mortals” who made the dream real, I have to ask, “Did he hold down a full time job while training?”
But then again it is a dream of mine to quit work and train/compete full time.
Probably that’s from a press-release, so it’s ok to write out of proportion things for commercial reasons. Gordo’s a legend… I just don’t seem to find the graphic or table…
I’m not part of the Gordo cult, but yeah, I think it’s fair to call him a legend within the subculture of triathlon.
I also think Slowman, Tom D, and Mr Tibbs qualify.
We could have the Legend of the week award here too…
I have to ask, “Did he hold down a full time job while training?”<<
When he first started out, yes he did train and work full time.
clm, who knew Gordo back before he was “GORDO” 
foolishness. But yeah, Slowman does qulaify also- the guy invented tri equipment as we know it.
Fine I nominated you.
“In the latest issue of The Biased Triathlon Zine, our coaching legend smartasscoach will explain the benefits of eating before a race”
I don’t think it’s foolish at all. At the very least, you and Tibbs are legends here in the Slowtwitch world. How many posts start “Hey Tibbs!” or “Q for Tom D” ? There’s a reason for that.
Dan Empfield IS a legend, no doubt about it.
What does a guy have to do here to be a legend, charge $475/month?
No he is not, he is for real, I have seen him!
I agree, he has not reached legendary status in my book either. He seems like an interesting guy, certainly someone I’d like to have a beer with or spend the day training alongside though. Tinley, Molina, Allen, Scott - those are legends. Maybe one day for Gordo but not today. Just my opinon.
Gordo beat Molina at IMNZ I think. Not that Molina isn’t a legend too- he definately is.