Hi every one,
I am a new triathlete and am doing a paper in college about why we do it. So, Why do you do it? Why do you torture yourself and spend all of the money required to compete? I love these diciplines and would like to know why you do too. Thank you for your time.
newtrigeek
competition, discipline, focus, and balance
.
So I can eat all I want!
I was so overweight as a teenager I was put in a special education phys ed class. Through endurance sports I discovered the ability to exert positive control over my life. The sport promotes a generally healthy lifestyle. The sport is visually appealling with alluring equipment, venues and personalities. Because it is realitvely unique (still) it gives me the opportunity to feel part of a small fraternity. Great reason to travel: I’ve raced on all seven continents.
Because God wants me to be a triathlete. It is my calling in life.
On a more serious note - fun, fitness and an attempt to forget that I’m 54 yrs old.
in 2004, i lived for a season at mount everest base camp, doing research. after i’d gotten to know a few climbers on one team fairly well, i asked one “why are people climbing this mountain?” he answered that he’d gently tried to raise the same question once or twice among the group but not really gotten anywhere; it was almost a taboo subject.
then, another friend chimed in, “i think a lot of people can’t say why they’re here.” i said, “you mean, the reasons are real but difficult to articulate?”
he answered: “no, i think a lot of people really have no f–king clue what they’re doing here.”
-mike
to create a positively charged social support group that can put up with your sometimes insane training, health kicks, and the fact that you can still somehow manage to (well at least sometimes) spend as much $$ as you earn on the damn sport…
I think for me, i wanted to see how far i could push myself mentally and physically. I find an amazing sense of accomplishment in being able to have the discipline and mental and physical strength it takes to achieve goals in this sport that a year ago I would have considered impossible. Overcoming the urge to just lay down and rest 4 or 5 hours into a race, and pressing on to finish means that you’ve conquered something that most folks don’t have the ability to do. That feels good!
thanks, I appreciate your insight.
newtrigeek
"he answered: “no, i think a lot of people really have no f–king clue what they’re doing here.”
Sounds like my ex. After our divorce about ten years ago she took off to Tibet and then base camp in an effort to “find herself”, while I stayed back and patiently looked after the kids until her return.
Unfortunately, she’s still looking. 
WOW. So why are you a triathlete?
Thanks for your response.
newtrigeek
People have different motivations. Mine is mostly because I like riding my bike and competing is an excuse to get out and ride more. Couldn’t care less about the competitive aspect because it’s all about fun and a beer with the gang afterwards. If I get the odd podium AG finish that’s nice but it’s a long way from a priority.
In comparson my wife is much more competitve and takes winning/placing more seriously.
back in the early 80’s it was new and different.
I did reasonably well from the get go
It exposed me to two new sports( cycling and swimming) that I had not previously done
I was amazed at how far you could push yourself when you did all three sports in a balanced fashion
I met a great group of people, many who have gone onto leading rolls within the sport
Just some things that popped into my head.
Fleck
Endorphins, baby!
The view, (have you been to a race?!?)
I like to hear people say, “You’re crazy”
Torture? Whaddaya mean? That crash didn’t hurt. Neither did the Plantar Faciitis, the meniscus tear, the metatarsalsalgia, the lactic acid burn @ mile 85 @ IM, getting wholloped in the head twice during the swim, and all the rest. It’s AAAAAALLLLLL GOOOOOOOOOD!!!
The $$. Hm. Well, I’d rather spend it on something I LOVE than have it just sittin’ around. It’s worth it. And you do get all the gatorade, Gu, bananas, cola, etc you want for your $400. @ IM. Plus a t-shirt!!!
Coolest peeps I ever met!
What race did you do in Antarctica?
-C
I was a runner who started getting injured. The doc said “get in the pool.” The guys in the pool said “get a bike” (I suspect they were trying to get rid of me). The natural progression was triathlon.
Now the more relevant question is: Why, after a 12 year or so haitus, am I BACK to triathlon?
The answer is clear to me – it’s the perfect blend of sports for long-term health and competetive outlet.
For me, I lost a bunch of weight and when I got to a certain point, I thought, I could do a triathlon. I had never even thought that would be possible. I trained and finished. I then gained some weight back so 8 months later, I was training for another one to get back into shape because I knew if I was training for something, I would train and lose weight. I don’t want to go back. I joined a tri club and now have comrodery that I haven’t had before and there is always someone who is WAY better than me to challenge me, coach me, and encourage me. What more could a guy want? (I also have a really supportive wife)
Josh
Hi, to help you with your research, this is how it goes for me.
It is a significant challenge to be competent in three disciplines (even if some people in ST land find it easy). You can then participate in a wide range of sporting activities: fun runs, ocean swims, long rides.
It is a welcoming sport for beginners of those of lesser ability. There is always a supportive atmosphere, no matter what the level of ability.
A the pinnacle of the sport there is a very demanding event that requires a large amount of traiing and dedication to complete (the IronMan)
You get to wear cool gear.
You can still line up at the start of most events with World Champions.
Frankly, swimming, running or cycling on their own six to seven times a week, is boring. In triathlon you get to mix it up a bit.
The girls don’t look too skinny. You’ve got to keep a bit of muscle on to power through the swim and bike.
Because I was sitting in a hospital in Denver watchin IronMan HI on TV…just after I almost lost my leg in a cycling accident - a Doctor told me I would be lucky to walk with out a limp…now I run with out a limp.
I love that story. Its my favourite