I got into the sport in 2009 and I have been impressed with the friendliness and accessibility of pro triathletes. I had the opportunity to hang with Trevor Wurtele and Justin Daerr at IMLT. I met with Rachel Joyce and Tim O’Donnell in Boulder and have talked with a number of other pro triathletes at races, including Leanda Cave, Andy Potts, Magali Tisserye, TJ Tollakson, among others. They are also very accessible via social media, including ST and Twitter. I just think it is very cool how friendly these guys are. I know a few AGers would could learn some lessons on humility from the pros. I realize this is also a type of marketing and their sponsors encourage it, but nonetheless it is a great part of this sport.
I got into the sport in 2009 and I have been impressed with the friendliness and accessibility of pro triathletes. I had the opportunity to hang with Trevor Wurtele and Justin Daerr at IMLT. I met with Rachel Joyce and Tim O’Donnell in Boulder and have talked with a number of other pro triathletes at races, including Leanda Cave, Andy Potts, Magali Tisserye, TJ Tollakson, among others. They are also very accessible via social media, including ST and Twitter. I just think it is very cool how friendly these guys are.** I know a few AGers would could learn some lessons on humility from the pros.** I realize this is also a type of marketing and their sponsors encourage it, but nonetheless it is a great part of this sport.
You said it. I’ve always found, in nearly all sports, the most cocky and arrogant people are the ones that are just a cut below the truly elite. Maybe it’s an insecurity thing to be so good, but not quite as good as the best.
I would have to agree. All the Pros that I have met, talked to, etc. are fantastic. I am not sure why some of the AG’s feel that they are better than everyone else.
100% agree, the one’s I met have been personable and laid-back.
Often asking me how my race was, not how they did…they seem to appreciate their chosen “career” and don’t take it for granted.
I was hoping to make Trevor Wurtele’s race report video at IMLT. Although Cam’s Cupcakes are great, Treveor’s race reports crack me up!
I would have to agree. All the Pros that I have met, talked to, etc. are fantastic. I am not sure why some of the AG’s feel that they are better than everyone else.
Because I am better than everyone else.
You said it. I’ve always found, in nearly all sports, the most cocky and arrogant people are the ones that are just a cut below the truly elite. Maybe it’s an insecurity thing to be so good, but not quite as good as the best.
No- the most arrogant, are the ones that are just a little faster than you. The top AG racers are also really nice. (At least the ones I know are.)
No- Actually that’s not true either.
Everyone is pretty nice.
Except:
- Random a#holes.
- Ironmen (not triathletes that race Ironman). People who race
- Cat. 4 or 5 cyclists who really, really want to be class 3 or 4 but don’t want to train or race a lot.
You said it. I’ve always found, in nearly all sports, the most cocky and arrogant people are the ones that are just a cut below the truly elite. Maybe it’s an insecurity thing to be so good, but not quite as good as the best.
No- the most arrogant, are the ones that are just a little faster than you. The top AG racers are also really nice. (At least the ones I know are.)
.
I agree, Mango. Arrogance is everywhere, we only perceive it when we feel attachment to it. To that end, I have heard Andy Potts wears a little thin on some pros. His celebrations, while loved by AGers, is perceived as disrespecting the course by some of his peers.
you want a cool pro athlete - amature experience then go to challenge roth. 2 days before the event you can socialize with them and have beers. What is great about tri and even running is you line the start (kind of) toe to toe with them. Unlike basketball and football,you are doomed to the chair with popcorn and beer.
At 2013 Calgary 70.3 they had a shuttle the day before the race to take people & bikes to T1. It was VERY low key, meaning the shuttle was a school bus and maybe 10 people took it. I ended up sitting across from Tim Don and next to Tyler Butterfield. They were great to chat with. Awesome luck having ~30 mins to chat with pros…who were hilarious. Felt like I was sitting next to any other person doing the race.
Timberman this year, Andy Potts signed autographs on Saturday morning at packet pick up. Couldn’t resist getting him to sign the bill of my Ohio State hat. Got a feeling had it been closer to late November, he might not have. But, he actually took a minute to chat me up about OSU/Michigan football. Pretty cool.
Agreed. I have a buddy who’s a pro IM’er. When I first met him I was in awe. Probably the first pro-athlete I ever met. After a while (few seasons) hanging out with him, training with him, rooming at IMLP, etc. he’s just become a friend who’s really damn awesome at triathlon and running in general. Down to earth, quirky guy, who’s super fit and driven. He’s ceased to be that “Pro friend” of mine and just a friend who, hey, happens to be a pro.
I suspect some of this comes from how little money many of these guys actually make from the sport. If they were all paid a million+ a year I imagine many (though not all) would be a bit different. I’m not saying my buddy would not be my buddy, but it probably would have been harder to access him in the first place since he’d then be traveling in wildly different circles than I can (afford to). My guy has a day job (or a night job, I think) as many pros do that really pays his bills.
So, keep paying these guys next to nothing so they can remain our friends.
I got into the sport in 2009 and I have been impressed with the friendliness and accessibility of pro triathletes. I had the opportunity to hang with Trevor Wurtele and Justin Daerr at IMLT. I met with Rachel Joyce and Tim O’Donnell in Boulder and have talked with a number of other pro triathletes at races, including Leanda Cave, Andy Potts, Magali Tisserye, TJ Tollakson, among others. They are also very accessible via social media, including ST and Twitter. I just think it is very cool how friendly these guys are.** I know a few AGers would could learn some lessons on humility from the pros.** I realize this is also a type of marketing and their sponsors encourage it, but nonetheless it is a great part of this sport.
You said it. I’ve always found, in nearly all sports, the most cocky and arrogant people are the ones that are just a cut below the truly elite. Maybe it’s an insecurity thing to be so good, but not quite as good as the best.
You are EXACTLY 100% correct. It’s usually the people that can afford that insanely wonderful carbon fiber jet like bike, but are coming in 20th or at least upper half that are the arrogant narcissistic PRICKS that think their bike and their 200 Euro tri suit is an extension of their private parts. Almost always it’s the men, and not the women. I just had an exchange on this forum with a guy via PM that fit that very description. It’s truly amazing.
I got into this sport because it’s the only sport I can think of where the amateurs can mix with the pro’s. This is neither here nor there, but I would rather cheer for the overweight person that finishes at midnight than for an arrogant dick with the best gear and the best bike.
However, when I found on a flight two years ago I was sitting next to Chrissy Wellington, she was so insanely wonderful to talk to and very humble and as a man I was utterly smitten by her humilty and professional demeanor. She gave me some (a clydesdale age grouper) some great tips and told me great stories and had no trouble chatting during our 3 hour flight.
Be nice people, it’s just a sport.
bump.
You said it. I’ve always found, in nearly all sports, the most cocky and arrogant people are the ones that are just a cut below the truly elite. Maybe it’s an insecurity thing to be so good, but not quite as good as the best.
No- the most arrogant, are the ones that are just a little faster than you. The top AG racers are also really nice. (At least the ones I know are.)
.
I agree, Mango. Arrogance is everywhere, we only perceive it when we feel attachment to it. To that end, I have heard Andy Potts wears a little thin on some pros. His celebrations, while loved by AGers, is perceived as disrespecting the course by some of his peers.
What does “disrespecting the course” mean??? I’m not sure what you’re getting at here…???