When can I say, “why yes, thank you for asking, I am indeed a triathlete.”
One race?
One race per year?
IM finish?
A co-worker finished a local sprint tri last year and is still talking it up (see above quote). I race 3-4 times a year (Oly distance) and feel I need to do more before I take on that sacred title. Any takes?
I would say that is completely up to you. I called myself a triathlete for a year before I even did one. Why? Because I spent 14+ hours a week swimming, biking and running. The title Triathlete now defines a lifestyle to me, not any number of races.
I’d like to think you are a triathlete the instant you finish your first race. You get to keep the title for as long as you like. no need to be fast, no need to go a prescribed distance. just swim, bike and run. that’s it.
2-3 Oly’s a year and you’re not calling yourself a triathlete?
Please, that’s like Trump having 2-3 billion dollars and not calling himself a billionaire.
I’m coming up on my 1st race anniversary in October and started calling myself a triathlete after I finished my first Olympic distance race (my 4th race overall).
Call yourself whatever you want, but in my humble opinion, you deserve the title.
Who cares? My 7 yo niece is a triathlete (6 races) the question is when will you be able to call yourself an Ironman.
If you live the life style and train, after one race your in the club. Once you stop living the life stye, even if you wing a race, IMO, you’re not a triathlete.
I would say that is completely up to you. I called myself a triathlete for a year before I even did one. Why? Because I spent 14+ hours a week swimming, biking and running. The title Triathlete now defines a lifestyle to me, not any number of races.
As several posts in this thread have stated – When your lifestyle becomes that of a triathlete – then you call yourself a triathlete.
I know swimmers who have completed a triathlon – they are still swimmers. I know cyclist who have completed a triathlon – they are still cyclists. Same with runners.
I have run marathons, swim meets and bicycle races – but I am still a triathlete because that is my focus and my lifestyle.
Finish a race…
But being a triathlete is fairly easy… great achievement is to be an Ironman! I’m working on it 
As far as I am concerned Sir or Ma’am, the moment you make that incredibly difficult trip from the couch out the door to prepare for your first event, you are a triathlete in good standing.
And welcome on board.
Because you are hesistant to call yourself a triathlete also says that you are- while there are a portion of triathletes that are cocky guys- there is also a good portion that are humble people going out and doing their best becuase they love the sport(s). But there is another part of the sport that we love- we love the speed and danger of the bike, but we love the patience that a good swim takes and then we love the exhaustion of the final mile of a long run in a brick or in a race itself.
I am a college cross country runner, so while that is my focus during these 3 1/2 months, I live for the days that I can get out on my bike and cruise the bluffs of MN and see what I can see, and I don’t think that I would be able to make it through my days without getting a swim in at least two mornings a week, while this might be a hindrance to my running- I still need to do it all.
Ask yourself- and then your co worker- what are you motives for doing tris? Is it to tell others about or to show yourself what you can do?
In my book you’re a triathlete as soon as you train in the 3 events and you want to call yourself that.
For me, it was when I could finally say the words “I’m a triathlete” instead of “I do triathlons”. It took awhile for me to get comfortable with the label…several years and many races. But that’s me. You’re a triathlete whenever you think you are. What does it matter?
G
Just playing basketball doesn’t make one a basketball player. So, just “doing triathlons” doesn’t make one a “triathlete”. <— just my opinion.
Everyone that rides a bike isn’t a “cyclist”, and everyone that runs isn’t a “runner”.
It’s true that these are just terms and labels that, in the whole spectrum, don’t really amount to much. It’s also true that calling yourself a triathlete doesn’t make it true, just as not calling yourself a triathlete doesn’t mean you aren’t.
IMO, you’re a triathlete once you become competitive (or have done it for an amount of time). In other words, if you do it for fun (like me), then you “do triathlons”. If you do them and compete while doing them, then you are a “triathlete”.
Like others have said, it really doesn’t matter what others think … if you think you’re a triathlete, then you are (even if in your own mind). Too much emphasis on labels, not enough emphasis on action. It is entertaining to come up with and cross-check different definitions of the same term/concept.
As for what term you label yourself … truthfully, it’s not likely that anyone, other than yourself, really gives a hoot. I’m a sex symbol.
As soon as you start wearing a Timex Ironman watch and run around in skimpy lycra/spandex Speedo gear 
Then, you’re either a triathlete, or a Chippendale’s stripper.
Kahuna
I am a: guy, dad, husband, employee, client, teacher, student, friend, rival,… but have a hard time giving myself the label Triathlete. It is something that other people will call me. But for me to use it as a personal description it feels too pretentious. By all accounts described in the previous posts on this thread I am fully qualified to accept the title as I have done the training, the races, the distances, the years etc. I am just much more comfortable to be a guy who races.
Agreed,
Also, that $3 in todays dollars would be like $5.77, so it hasn’t gone up as much as you think.
Styrrell
I’m a gorgeous genius!
lol…damn! I crack myself up!
I ran two marathons, and never called myself a runner. looking back, I should have called myself a runner. IMO, it’s much harder to be a triathlete than a runner>so, my title will be waiting for me in the wings
As soon as you start wearing a Timex Ironman watch and run around in skimpy lycra/spandex Speedo gear
Then, you’re either a triathlete, or a Chippendale’s stripper.
Kahuna
and either is appropriate in my book. (just give me a camera if it’s the latter).
I’m a female chovinist–is this the right word? Maybe it’s a female sexist, or just a sexist in general…don’t know. but, in any case, you get the point.
Exactly! There are peole I have worked with for 5 years that have no idea I have done 7 (soon to be 8) IMs…just not how I define myself.
Do you swim, bike and run? Do you do them all on the same day?
You’re a triathlete, dude!