I always thought a sub five and a half hour HIM was fast. But at Racine I went 5:17:23(this is not counting my 4 minute penalty for going out side a cone to avoid a wipeout when passing someone). My swim was like everyone else’s, a PR. My bike was a PR even with the penalty, and my run…well lets just say I need to slow down on the bike and save more for the run. But despite my time, a time that I didn’t think I would have come close to, I felt mediocre at best. Is 5 hours the cut off? Where do we smile and say,“Yes, I crushed that race!”??? When do we feel comfortable with saying our time out loud in front of other triathletes? Maybe it was just the field at Racine that made me so humble. I realize that it was a fast group! I still take pride in my accomplishments, but I still don’t feel very accomplished, if that makes sense? O-K, I’m done with the self pity…
PR’s are PR’s!! Good on ya! Who cares what everyone else does.
In my opinion, triathlon is just how far you want to take it. The more you train, the faster you get. Some people train 8 hrs a week and some do 30. Not everybody has 30 hrs a week to train.
Well, I believe the swim was shorter than 1.2 miles b/c of the fog. The route was also re-routed b/c of road work so that probably is not 56 miles to be exact. Will either of this take away your awesome timing accomplishment? No it shouldn’t.
Anyways, I’ve always thought that sub 4:30 was fast. 4:00 and below is just freaking crazy. I actually did the math and to break 4:00, you need to average 26 mph for the whole ride(which means more like 27 with all the turns, etc.), 6 min/mile run and sub 30 min swim. All of which are amazing as a standalone, let alone back to back to back. 
Where do we smile and say,“Yes, I crushed that race!”???
When you finish feeling good.
When do we feel comfortable with saying our time out loud in front of other triathletes?
When you met your goals.
Fast is whatever you measure yourself against.If you are looking for a podium spot and finish an hour behind the podium guys then you 'aint fast.If you just want to do personal records and you break them, then regardless of your overall tme, you were fast.If you have a full time job and kids and can't train much then maybe you could be fast for the work that your life allows you to put in.Personally I tend to be way too much of a realist and will not call myself fast in races where there are guys finishing an hour in front of me.I mean, even on my best day in Ironman racing I was still well over an hour behind the winner so I can't bring myself to claim being fast.Speedy for my age group maybe, but fast no.
Hey Rich,
I’m sorry I never saw you around the site. I was hiding out watching the tour for most of the preceding days.
You’re never fast enough. I come away from setting PRs very happy, but not satisfied. Seek the next level.
wow… what lame-arse answers so far.
I spent a full season training as if 4:59:59 was fast. Then I went consistently under that, and fast became 4:49:59, but unfortunately now I think fast is 4:39:59. so thats the goal for this season’s end. I have a feeling that when I get there, it won’t be fast anymore.
all you guys out there, what do you consider a fast olympic distance race, not talking about pros. for someone who is just starting out.
You’re never fast enough. I come away from setting PRs very happy, but not satisfied. Seek the next level.
Word.
wow… what lame-arse answers so far.
I spent a full season training as if 4:59:59 was fast. Then I went consistently under that, and fast became 4:49:59, but unfortunately now I think fast is 4:39:59. so thats the goal for this season’s end. I have a feeling that when I get there, it won’t be fast anymore.
Your right 4:40 isn’t fast. 4:30 is close.
I think you’re the closest to where I’m at. Now that I’ve gone sub 5:30, it’s not fast. Now sub five hours is fast. Can’t wait to get past IMMOO and just do half IM’s!
I think under 4:50 people will start to act like you are fast. 4:30 and under I think is legitimately fast.
The definition is the same for everyone:
“Anybody faster than me is a genetically gifted, chemically enhanced freak; anybody slower is a pathetic slacker.” 
.
Are you ever fast if you’re getting “Chicked” by your girlfriend/wife?
Sure you are…she’s just faster!!
It took me 12 months to get from a 5:00 half IM to 4:15. When i started 4:30 seemed fast but like everything - it eventually becomes a matter if perception. I had youth on my wide at 23 so could make some gains quickly and soon 4:30 was gettable.
But more then anything when i felt i had a fast day was when i felt i was pushing all the way rather then trying to ‘hang in there’.
In saying that sub 4:00 for damn fast.
Fast is…as fast as you want to be…
Congrats on the progress and times.
Fast is whatever you measure yourself against.
Nick,
Agreed. It’s a relative thing.
I remember a few years ago being at a dinner party and some guy going on and on about me like I was some running God, because in passing I mentioned that I had broken 3:00 for a marathon. In my books breaking 3:00 is not particularly fast. I wondered what this same guy would have said if he met Haile Gebersallasie and a dinner party - the great Geb is fast and is a running God
all you guys out there, what do you consider a fast olympic distance race, not talking about pros. for someone who is just starting out.
If you’re just starting out then the first target is 2:30. Under that and you’re at least respectable and you can start think about being fast. For me, 2:15 is fast, but that’s because it’s slightly quicker than I’ve gone so far. I’m sure if I was doing 2:15, then 2:10 would be fast…
Fast? Fast for you? Fast for a Pro? Fast for an AGer? Fast for that course? Fast for that race? Fast enough to be on the podium? So many questions, so many answers.