Multi-Sport RacingTriathalons and Adventure Racing have been sweeping the nation at a phenomenal rate. Multi-Sport Racing is one of the few sports where just completing a race is often considered a victory. Learn all about this sport, post photos, meet potential teammates or brag about your performance in a race.
This week trifuel.com posted an article on the '17 things that triathlon has taught me about life' and thought it would be interesting to hear what others have learnt from swimming, biking and running.
Here are some of the things that I have learnt:
1. A bad day on the bike is still better than a good day in meetings (unless there is free food, then maybe it's a tie).
2. Being lapped in a pool every 5 laps by some 11 year old kid sucks.
3. Hitting the bitumen at 20+miles per hour hurts.
4. My overweight workmates think it's unfair that my lunches are twice as large as theirs, but my waist only three-quarters of theirs (I've offered to show them the 'secret', but so far no takers!).
5. No matter how much food I've eaten on a long ride, I can still come home and clean out the fridge.
6. That no matter what language you speak, no matter what lap you are on, everybody you meet on the run of an Ironman somehow becomes your best friend, even if it is only for the short time you run together.
7. That half the above involved food, which is pretty good, since I think about food more than half the time.
What I'm yet to figure out:
1. Why is a 30 minute conversation with a boring colleague about their tedious existence infinitely more difficult than a 2 hour run. In the rain. While bonking after 90 minutes.
2. Why do others think that triathlon/cycling clothes look funny?
3. Why do I feel abnormal when I have hairy legs?
I look forward to hearing about what the endurance lifestyle has taught you!
__________________ 2009: No races, No times. Slow year. So, now you're 96 cals short. You're now in starvation mode. Doomed. - LostDog
Blog entry: November 1, 2009, Pancakes LiveSTRONG daily plate log
Location: Philly on one side, Pittsburgh on another, the Green Between...
Posts: 5,857
1) I got no quit in me.
2) Some people don't get it--that's okay
3) I miss my bike
4) The will to win is important. The will to prepare is essential. (Joe Paterno)
5) I'm tougher than I thought.
6) I'm not a very good swimmer.
7) I have the power to inspire people, just as I have the power to be inspired by people.
1. Shaved legs just look cooler - they do.
2. When I go to heaven, I'll be riding a bike on a nice summer day. Then I'll jump off and go run.
3. All I want to do is get people involved in this sport, and so many can't get through the first week of training.
4. Like Fish, I'm a lot tougher than I thought.
5. The mind is a VERY powerful tool. Mine got me through my HIM, not my body.
6. I love being active.
7. I hate rest days.
8. There is no better feeling than going to sneak in a workout before meeting friends.
9. A good massage trumps almost anything but sex.
E
__________________
"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
1. A lot of great people do triathlons - fun to hang out with for the most part.
2. I'm not as tough as I thought!
3. But I am tougher than some people.
4. I, too, am not a very good swimmer
__________________ “I have always done my duty. I am ready to die. My only regret is for the friends I leave behind me.”
-- Zachary Taylor, 12th U.S. President, 1849-1850
1. In a triathlon, being a good swimmer is fleeting.
2. It's important to practice tying your shoes.
3. Having "jelly legs" is not as funny as it sounds.
4. No matter what, there is always someone older, younger, bigger or smaller that will pass you.
5. Passing someone older, younger, bigger or smaller than you feels good.
__________________
***
Today's mighty oak was once just some nut who held his ground!
1. It is really easy to drop weight while training for one.
2. People look at you like you are crazy when you tell them you are doing one.
3. I look forward to my training time even though it may be on a bike on a trainer
3. People pee in the lake during the race.....
__________________
Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.
-Henry Ford
haven't actually done it yet but what i've noticed in the last three months of training so far:
1. you will eat everything in sight and even a few things that aren't.
2. it is incredibly hard to maintain weight while training (this one blew me away actually).
3. blisters are war wounds until they become a permanent callous.
4. your coworkers will never understand why you don't join them for lunch at pizza hut.
5. lastly, it is impossible to explain why you are doing this to anyone.
The conversation one is definitely a biggie. I just can't find the energy to sit through someone's explanation of why they need to have their tires re-aligned because they hit a speed bump at 40mph that weekend.
Location: Philly on one side, Pittsburgh on another, the Green Between...
Posts: 5,857
"Because I have to" is the best explanation I've given--it precludes the need for further conversation. People who don't get it shut up, and those who do get it need no further explanation.
The journey is at least as important as the destination.
__________________ 2009: No races, No times. Slow year. So, now you're 96 cals short. You're now in starvation mode. Doomed. - LostDog
Blog entry: November 1, 2009, Pancakes LiveSTRONG daily plate log
The journey is at least as important as the destination.
Yeah Og, I totally agree. I was lucky enough to race in John MacLean's fund raising team (he was the first wheelchair athlete to finish the Hawaii Ironman), and he signed his book for me something along the same lines.
Finding that even after finishing something that I told my wife I was doing to 'get out of my system', and still have that desire to go back for more has made me realise how true your words are!
Yeah i've been there a few times and really like the site. Some great info I wouldn't have thought about on my own. Since the race is in may I was planning on doing a tweaked version of one of their workouts starting the first week of march. I also got a lead on a bike down here. w00t for craigslist .
No. I had one freshman year because my car was a mile away and in the opposite direction of my classes. Got rid of it though when I transfered because I was living off campus and it was easy to drive (not the best decision in retrospect but w/e).
Haven't called the guy yet to see about pictures or even if its male/female design.
Any tips though on what I should be looking for? I have a friend who is in the cycling club at my school and he said to find a bike where your foot just brushes the top of the pedal if you're sitting on the seat and the pedal is extended all the way down.
Keep in mind though I am a poor college student so I'm working on a budget.
Location: Philly on one side, Pittsburgh on another, the Green Between...
Posts: 5,857
What's your budget..I would advise you to go to a LBS and get properly fitted. You might also be able to get a deal on a leftover or tradein, and you'll know it fits. You do NOT want to sit on it if it doesn't fit.
Sheldon Brown says, "If it does not fit, you must not sit."
The LBS idea was a good one. Went to three places in the town over and on the last one found a gem in the rough. Its an old schwinn road bike that needs a few things (brakes need to be tightened and the back tire needs replacing) but otherwise is in great condition. Also fit perfectly, got the guy to help fit the seat height for me as well. Took it for a spin today and love it. Once I fix those few things I can tell I'm gonna love riding it.
Yeah ive already been tweaking it a lot on my own. Yesterday took out the old tires and put on new ones along with tightening the brakes. Rides a lot nicer now.
Heck yes, sorry I missed this. I love the old Schwinns. Does it have the shifters on the down tube?
E
__________________
"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
Things that triathlon has taught me
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