Okay, I’ll agree with you considering the guy was probably doing it at strictly a recreational level with possibly very little time to train, the 13:30 was a respectable time. However, if he actually trained and was coached then given the conditions of the day I would have to disagree. And no, I’m not one of the those people that think finishing time reflects whether you’re an “ironman” or not.
“Actually, I’d say that is pretty bad for a guy that appears to be in the physical condition he is in(not overweight, relatively young).”
A 13:30 IM is pretty bad, eh? LOL!!!
I assume you’re in your mid 40’s, routinely copmplete IM’s in CONSIDERABLY less time, while being hugely successful in your chosen profession and think of yourself as just an average JOE?
Geez… cut the guy some slack already. What ever happened to triathletes being supportive of each other?
He got hammered in Runners World a few years back for not being a “real” marathoner. Now this. He’s out there; he’s a hottie; and he managed to look pretty darn happy throughout the race. I can’t imagine running an ironman with a camera in my face the whole time.
Congrats on your race, by the way. I love the story about Sedi coming out at mile 24. This sport is full of heart and good people.
so YOU were the woman right behind him in the Ironmanlive picture!
lol
Hey man, only point is that Ironman and triathlon can survive just fine without watering things down with celebrities. If he can qualify, then great, but why exactly does triathlon need coverage on ET ?
but why exactly does triathlon need coverage on ET ?<<
So maybe the public can see not just uber-fit freaks do these things?
clm
At least he was riding a Cervelo.
Cut the guy some slack, at least he finished the race unlike DeBust (DeBoom), Stadler, Lessing, Francois Chabaud, Desiree Ficker, Joanna Zeiger, etc. etc.
ironclm, did you beat him?
ironclm, did you beat him?<<
Nope. He was a little ahead of me on the swim and the bike, then really pulled ahead on the run (or, I fell behind.) 
clm
Didn’t see the ET spread, But you have to hand it to him. He stepped up and took the challenge. He wasn’t out on the tour de france pretty facing around like some other celebs. He has earned his medal. I am sure he is glad that we are all talking about it. the old advertising credo"I don’t care what they say as long as they spell the name right".
but why exactly does triathlon need coverage on ET ?
Because Ford doesn’t pay the big bucks so that 5,000 slowtwitch posters can watch a low-res video feed on ironmanlive.com. They do it so they get 5,000,000 people to hear about Ford Ironman world championships on ET. Of course you can say you don’t need ford either, and you probably don’t, but it is sponsors like them that allow many more pros than before to actually be pros and concentrate on the big races instead of on their part-time job.
This reminds me of yesterdays argument about Lokelani McMichael being onthe cover of all the magazines. No shit she’s a model. People love to judge high profile people without actually knowing them. Ridiculous and petty…kj
PS: Great job on your race!
"actually be pros and concentrate on the big races instead of on their part-time job. "
Thought triathlon was the part time job? Isn’t hunting down sponsorship a pros real full time job. 
I just have to shake my head at people who jump all over someone famous when they accomplish something. He didn’t just decide the day before that he was doing IMH. This guy put in the hours and the training, all the best coaching in the world won’t get you through it if you don’t. I’m pretty sure he didn’t call up ET and say “Do a piece about me” (his agent might’ve). The guy has a long running series and being “Famous”, that kind of thing goes with the territory. Can you imagine the pressure he was under not to DNF? ET would turn it into the biggest human tragedy of the year. The sap would’ve run out the front of your tv
If any AGer on this board would have posted a 13:30, everyone would have jumped all over themselves to tell them what a great race they had. Give credit where credit is due. No stunt double did the swim for him.
J
I thought the coverage was great and to see it on a show like ET was fantastic…how many people watch that show?? I bet a lot!! Kudos to DJE.
Anyways, I saw JAG out on the course as I was heading into the EL and he was heading out…cheered him on, and he did the same to me…what a nice guy!!! Now his wife, she didn’t seem that excited about it…:-))
First consider first ironman , Hes 45 years old and hes like 6 foot 3 a pretty big guy.
I’d say not too bad a time.
Of course I’d rather have seen Cathine Bell(MAc from Jag) out there in a nice skimpy 2 piece tri suit on the run…
I think the main issue that a lot of people have trouble with (including myself) is the sense of entitlement that many celebrity types seem to have. I really doubt that this guy qualfied the same way that you or I would have to, I believe he either bought his way in or was granted a spot because he’s a TV star. You can look at his poor age group showing (120/145) and pretty much figure out that he’s nowhere near fast enough to get to Kona on his own merit.
The guys behind him qualifyed… or were all they TV stars as well?
Now his wife, she didn’t seem that excited about it…:-))<<
HA HA! She had a sour face every single time I saw her during the week.