I’ve been racing duathlon for a couple of years now and, after a decent result in an ultra-distance duathlon (Zofingen), decided I’d like to try an IM race. I started from scratch last week with the swim and I have a long way to go, but the plan is to do an IM next summer.
When I tell triathletes about my plans, I’ve been surprised by the mixed reaction. In general people tell me to go for it, but I’ve had a few oddly negative reactions from guys who race mostly Olympic distance. I even had one guy tell me that “anyone can do an IM”. Well, that’s probably true, but of course it misses the point. Anyone can do an Olympic distance race as well. It seems to me that if you’re planning to race the challenge, no matter what the race distance, is to finish in the least possible time. I want to do an IM because: a) I enjoyed training for and racing an ultra-distance duathlon and I think IM will be similar; b) My result at Zofingen could be taken to indicate I have some potential at longer distances; and c) I’m just starting to swim, so it’s to my advantage to choose a distance that de-emphasises the swim.
I appreciate that it takes a whole lot of talent, training and commitment to race fast over Olympic distance, just as it does over IM distance. The skills and talents that are needed at each distance are slightly different but, to my mind, equally impressive.
I’m sure none of what I’ve said above is news to guys who have been racing a while, so could someone clue me in to the ins and outs of this rivalry?
There is no answer. If you have a ford, you love fords. If you have a chevy, you love chevy’s.
Smart folks realize that we are doing this for fun, and health. So, what ever you do to get off your butt,
great. If going long motivates you, great. If short motivates you, great. If over time you move your
challenge around, great. I have done all the above.
Now, if you want to race an event, then it becomes a little different. First thing you have to find out is if
your body type is a sprinter, or a distance person. Based on your background, distance seems to be where you
are at today. (Things might change as you get older).
So, forget asking others thoughts. Just go out and have a great time. Yes, anyone can finish and IM, just like
anyone can finish an Oly distance. But to race, …
I’ve been racing duathlon for a couple of years now and, after a decent result in an ultra-distance duathlon (Zofingen), decided I’d like to try an IM race. I started from scratch last week with the swim and I have a long way to go, but the plan is to do an IM next summer.
When I tell triathletes about my plans, I’ve been surprised by the mixed reaction. In general people tell me to go for it, but I’ve had a few oddly negative reactions from guys who race mostly Olympic distance. I even had one guy tell me that “anyone can do an IM”. Well, that’s probably true, but of course it misses the point. Anyone can do an Olympic distance race as well. It seems to me that if you’re planning to race the challenge, no matter what the race distance, is to finish in the least possible time. I want to do an IM because: a) I enjoyed training for and racing an ultra-distance duathlon and I think IM will be similar; b) My result at Zofingen could be taken to indicate I have some potential at longer distances; and c) I’m just starting to swim, so it’s to my advantage to choose a distance that de-emphasises the swim.
I appreciate that it takes a whole lot of talent, training and commitment to race fast over Olympic distance, just as it does over IM distance. The skills and talents that are needed at each distance are slightly different but, to my mind, equally impressive.
I’m sure none of what I’ve said above is news to guys who have been racing a while, so could someone clue me in to the ins and outs of this rivalry?
I’ve been doing triathlons for 9 years, from sprint to IM. Sometimes people will ask me about “full” , or “real” triathlons, meaning IMs. I tell them they are all triathlons, just like a 100 meter race is just as much a race as a marathon. People seem to get it when put that way.
First of all, it’s all about self esteem, and by undermining what you do, I feel better about what I do. Now, long course, short course, they’re all a bunch of pansies. With your tolerance for pain, you should get into mountain biking. It’s a manly sport, where how you ride is more important than what you ride.
*** In general people tell me to go for it, but I’ve had a few oddly negative reactions from guys who race mostly Olympic distance. I even had one guy tell me that “anyone can do an IM”.***
I’ll agree with most who have said it’s an ego thing. Short course people that think they’re superior to IM racers are probably saying that because they’re insecure about being able to tackle that distance, or simply are resentful that they don’t have the time to train for one.
Long course racers that bag on short coursers are probably too slow to excel at shorter races…just a guess.
c) I’m just starting to swim, so it’s to my advantage to choose a distance that de-emphasises the swim.
de-emphasized or not you do realize you’ve got to be able to swim 2.4miles, rather than just 1500m.
Details, details.
Actually, swimming that far scares the crap out of me at the moment, being totally new to swimming. I’m going to swim 5 times per week until Christmas. If I’ve made good progress and I think I have a shot at being ready for summer, I’ll carry on with it. If not, I might re-evaluate and return to what I already know I’m decent at (duathlon).
If you plan on swimming 5x a week, do be sure to join the November Swim Challenge. Last year someone decided we should have a month long cycling challenge, then the conclusion was that there’s no real point to lots of cycling in November, so they switched to a run challenge. The fishies (AHEM) felt left out, so they started a swim challenge. We decided on 100k for the month, but subsequent challenges (we did one every month through March) had the paticipant pick their own goal yardage, and then you just try and make that. Or you could say “my goal is to swim 5x a week for the whole month (20 swims),” we’re accepting and would take that too. It’s fun… you can post your workouts, whine about how sore your shoulders are and that your hair is turning green from the chlorine, etc… so do play along next month!!! IT IS A VIRTUAL SWIM TEAM!!!
In my case, it’s not disresepct, I just have no desire to train and race for that kind of distance. I’m not well suited to it physically, even though I’ve run a couple marathons, done some double centuries, and can swim long distance okay. But I just enjoy going fast more than I enjoy going long. But I also know that if I DID put in the long build-up, that I’d be able to complete the distance on race day (not saying it wouldn’t be a pretty hard physical effort, and yes, shit DOES happen, but barring bizarre happenings, I’d make it to the finish line).
But that doesn’t mean I don’t respect those that do IMs. I just have problems with people who have done IMs and think that, because I haven’t done one, I’m not a “complete” triathlete.
It’s not rivalry. I bet Stadler has much respect for Gomez, and vice-versa.
It’s just born out of the age-old bigotry that is ingrained into all humans (ie, your different to me so I’m better), and only ones with greater than 5% functional brain capacity can rise above it. Don’t give this issue, or the low-level primates (and athletes) that purvey it another thought.
