Tri - likes

Triathlon Forum
1

Ok so Slowman suggested a “Tri-pet-likes” thread so here it is…

What do you like about triathlon??.. Not the big things, but the little things, kinda like pet peeves but reversed…

I’ll start… I really enjoy the people aspect of it. Usually theres at least 1 or 2 people in the transition area around me that are friendly and I end up having a nice conversation with. I’ve even made a few acquaintances that I see at other events. We cheer eachother on, and just ask how the other is doing. Its a nice community aspect. Everyone I’ve met generally has been pretty cool, I’ve never had a problem with someone else at a race. I nearly got hit by a car earlier this year at an event and the two guys behind me who I had just passed hammered it up to catch me and make sure I was ok. Thats really a great thing. I see it in the water too, one guy has a problem, the swimmers around him will all stop and make sure that someone comes to help. (Mind you I’m a MOPer).

Anyone?

2

I just like the feeling right after you’ve finished a hard, long workout. You know you’re done for the day, and you can just relax and eat!
Also, the buzz right before you start a race. Setting up transition, getting down to the water, getting ready to start.

3

Here are some of the little things that I love about this sport:
the pop-hiss of compressed air-ok I’m weird but I love that sound
misty mornings watching the sun come up over the lake, feeling the excitement of a race about to begin
the smell of new out of the box running shoes-this one doesn’t last long!
a new pair of socks, a new running cap, all the useless but oh so cool swag
walking in to my LBS just to see what’s up

And the big thing:
The awesome group of friends I train with. Some I have known for going on 20 years, some are new friends, but we all share this crazy bond. I am so thankful to have them all in my life.

Thanks for starting this thread. Looking forward to reading what everyone else has to say.

4

…taper week

…travel to new IM races locations

…watching early finishers at the finish line

…cheering in late finishers, not at the finish line, but out on the course where it is lonely
.

5

Great idea for a thread! I love triathlon for…

…the feeling of incredible accomplishment I get after completing a really, really hard work out.

…the looks and comments from my friends at work after completing really, really hard work outs.

…the other riders on PCH who always ask if if you need any help or equipment when someone is stopped on the side of the road.

…all the awesome gear: long live gear geeks!

…the inspirational people in the sport.

…all the many, many pros who sponsor a charity.

…Bob Babbit (ha ha…I don’t know but you gotta love Babbit)

6

Not being fat

The training

Improving over a long course of time at things I suck at

Having something to talk about at all parties and social occasions.

-Jot
.

7

I like how some days I feel and look vampiric - tired, pale, angled, and bloodthirsty for speed.

I like how you ache; how it feels familiar.

I like getting to train tons.

I like training camps.

I like how I feel prettiest with salt streaks on my skin.

8

Traveling to very cool places to race. And all the people I’ve met in 20 years of racing. Also, that last few minutes before the gun goes off when you are treading water and the chit chat was stopped and everyone is alone together with their thoughts. I like looking back to the shore to see the crowd and get that little last bit of inspiration.

9

I love the comradery. How my biggest competitor would help me out if I forgot something. Like when Chrissie Wellington got a flat and needed an extra CO2 and a fellow triathlete helped her.

The healthy lifestyle.

The people that do our sport.

The fact my girlfriend loves to watch and cheer me on!

And I love the feeling of going fast on my bike!

10

The hot women in tight tri outfits, all sweaty and breathing heavy, if the water is cold there’s always the high beam factor.

11

I like how it keeps me in shape.

I love that feeling at the finish line where I am right on the edge of throwing up…I know I will not question weather or not I could have gone harder that day.

People watching at the race is a blast…out on the course and in transition. There is some funny shit out there.

I love creating and teaking my training plan based on my training…I’m a geek that way.

I have met and become friends with some great people.

I really enjoy the good sportsmanship. I was at a race earlier this year…I happen to be on the same team as some really solid elites like Justin Henkle. As I ran past him he said good job and gave me a thumbs up. You just don’t see that in other sports. He didn’t have to waste his breath on little old me. He was probably a good 2 miles in front of me on the run.

btw…I didn’t actually pass him on the run. It was an out and back segment where we went past each other.

12

Great idea for a thread. I share many of the same fav’s as other posters. Mine:

  • The feeling of accomplishment after completing a well-executed race and achieving race results I as shooting for.

  • Meeting friendly, like-minded fellow competitors in transition and running into them in future races. Then cheering each other on when we see each other on the course.

  • Having fellow competitors cheer you on if you make a strong pass-- I can’t think of any other sport I’ve seen that happen! So now I do it too.

  • Going out for a yummy breakfast with friends after the race and getting looks from people wondering why our ages are written on our legs.

  • Having goal events on the calendar to make me get out there and swim or bike or run anyway when I’m tired or lacking motivation that day.

  • Talking with fellow competitors after the race, esp. those who you were battling with most closely,

  • The great crowds cheering everyone on in and out of transition.

  • The awesomely cool gear we get to buy and then replace next season with even cooler gear.

  • Crashing out on the coach after a race (and shower!) and feeling absolutely no guilt for being a couch potato

13

-The smell of neoprene. It has such a strong association with race morning or an OW swim.

-mastering the technique element and fluid movement through water that comes from swimming

-the aero geek technology and the sheer enjoyment of cycling

-the purity and pain of running

-how well the sports complement each other

-crushing dreams

-Slowtwitch (it’s like an abusive relationship, only, I know the forums don’t really mean it… )

-how the multiple disciplines keep training fun and exciting

14

I like it when I past people on the run and they look at the back of my calf while saying “F***ing kids”

I like all the cheering and support everyone brings to the table.

I like no matter how goofy you are, people will give you a high five as you are near them on the run.

I like the high of hunting the front pack the entire time on the bike.

I like talking to all the people with their expensive bikes and their “dreams of being good at triathlons”

I like sound of the gun going off, just not the swim. :]

Many many more…

15

I forgot that…

One of my favorites is that me and my friends go out for some nice greasy double double burgers and fries (washed down with a vanilla shake of course) after a race (at a local drive in place thats almost famous called All American Burger). Its the most glorious meal!

16

All the cool stuff you get to buy.
Telling people the bacon cheese burger at lunch is important to keep me from losing weight
The cheering at the finish line
Beating the young kids at the finish line in a dead sprint (even if I pulled a calf muscle and can’t walk today)
The long bike rides where you “escape” from reality.

17

How could I forget. The kids races. By far the best part of the sport.

18
  • the feeling after the preparation and execution of a successful training block and race
  • the friends I have made through the sport and competing with those friends at local races for fun/bragging rights (at 40 this is still very fun and from what i can tell never gets old)
  • having a cookout with family/friends post race
  • making a definitive pass
  • that the pros race the same course with the age groupers and all that i have come across seem to be very down to earth good people
  • the meal the night after an IM which for me always includes a beer sampler, buffalo wings and some kind of pub sandwich (think reuben, steak and cheese on garlic bread)with fries…
19

I like that sensation right at the finish chute of the IM race when the crowd is cheering, your name is announced, you suddenly are no longer exhausted, but exhilarated, you pick up your legs, run down the chute and for about 30 seconds completely forget the pain racking your body.

20

Since I’m out of training and competition this year (due to injury), but have attended and volunteered at several events, I have found the best thing to be the stories of inspiration and comeback people have shared with me. At IM Canada this year they seemed to come out of the woodwork. I was approached several times and given much encouragement, complements on my recovery, and well wishes. I was also told many times, of other recoveries from similar crashes. It was great and left me feeling good to be a part of this community.

At the other races in which I’ve volunteered, I love seeing someone compete for the first time. Everything from seeing their doubt as to whether or not they can even do a sprint (let’s not forget, for some out there, that is a HUGE deal) to the proud sense of accomplishment of crossing the finish line, then only moments later talking about doing another. It’s awesome!