Why do you Tri?
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lala2021 posted 11 weeks ago.
That sounds like a great answer but a little long! I just tell people when they ask why?
Because it keeps me SANE! ;)
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jnrice posted 11 weeks ago.
Oh come on everyone. We all know it's for the spandex. ... but honestly, it just makes my body feel good, my mind clear, and my gives an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. No one reason.
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jhudalla posted 11 weeks ago.
Is this a monthly thread? For me its the same reason Sir Edmund Percival Hillary gave when asked why in 1953 he (lets not forget his shirpa Tenzing Norgay) was the first to climb to the summit of Mnt Everest. Because its there. Sure there are lots of benefits; health, fitness, stature, energy, attitude, self worth, stress release/management... but in the end of the day... I think there is a deep value in confronting your soul and seeing what you're made of.
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
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Anton posted 11 weeks ago.
Actually, it was Leigh Mallory with the famous quote about 1923 According to the Oxford Dictionary.
Some historians feel it was a wise crack of a remark because he was tired of being asked the same question all the time.
I do it because it's fun, it gets me out and about but I'll take this a flip it around a bit...There is a denizen of Yosemite, Chuck "Chongo" Tucker, who I saw once, but never met...he had this quote about climbing that fits triathlon quite well.
"You spend all this money to do something that basically only improves the world by improving your outlook on it. If you don't take it and do something with it, it's narcissistic."
So here is MY question: Outside of the obvious racing, WHAT do you do with your triathlon fitness?
What keeps it from being just some narcissistic pursuit for you?
Do you guide others down a path to a healthier lifestyle? Do you raise money for charity? Do you work with disabled atheletes? Do you coach a kids sport? Do you work with a "Seniors" walking group?
Being a triathlete and being fit is great, but if you do nothing with it...It's worthless.
"If he wants to swim in dangerous waters...who are we to deny him?" Chef Skinner
My Blog: http://antonspath.blogspot.com
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jhudalla posted 11 weeks ago.
Good point Anton, I was thinking exactly that after my post and I was heading to the friendly neighborhood grocer. Sure being fit and all that is great, but if it was worth something to the greater good, well... that'd be great! If every mile over 70 run/week you generated $10 for the community fund of your choice, or over 400 miles biked, or 15k swam... I've been wanting to start something here in MPLS after I finish grad school. Maybe organize a series of annual races and donate the proceeds to something good. Hm... food for thought.
I stand corrected: "Because it is there"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mallory
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
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Trilosopher posted 11 weeks ago.
evansp07 wrote:
I saw you running this afternoon, then was that you on your bike three hours later?! quote]I think you have the order slightly mixed up.
But seriously, for me I think it's the eating. I might enjoy carbo-loading and post-race meals just as much (maybe more) than racing.
But more seriously, there are egoisitc reasons behind my participation in the sport. Team sports don't quite do it for me. I remember playing rugby in college and not quite responding very emotionally to devastating losses (or triumphant wins) in important games -- as long as I thought I played well and had fun doing it, little else mattered. In the sport of triathlon, it's all on me, my training, and my mental and physical execution. I have a real investment in what my race results are. Note that I say egoistic and not narcissistic because I'm part of a small club that raises money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. And it is nice to have this extra purpose to what I do.
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jtrimom posted 11 weeks ago.
I didn't set out to be an example (except to my kids), but I have had at least three friends who have taken up running because of me (or so they say). I do it mostly so that I can eat what I want (within reason), to be a part of a healthy active community filled with really cool (and beautiful) people, to get out of my house and regain "myself" and some sanity, and I love the rush of adrenaline on race day.
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mtbke15 posted 11 weeks ago.
For me its about the shaved legs and spandex. But seriously, it gives me a goal and motivation. I can definitely say that because of my training and marathons, that my friends and co-workers are now more interested in being healthy and getting off the couch. So, if by my training I can help influence others for the better than its all worth it.
"What counts in training is what you do once the pain sets in." John Short, South African Coach
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golferreid posted 11 weeks ago.
Because I quit drinking and have all this extra time and extra energy. Never thought I would do one one when I first heard of triathlon. Thought the people were crazy and I was sure they did not go to my Friday Happy Hour placesand were missing out! Now I look at all these great locations they have races and think there is not enough time and money to fill my desires.
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chekmarks posted 11 weeks ago.
actually the coolest part of doing triathlon for me is that my mom and brother started running!
MY MOM WON HER AGE GROUP AT A 5K TODAY!!!! (she deserves all caps, she's 52 years old and just started running. incredible.) and she ran with me at my first HIM, and it helped so much. she loved it because finally she could run at my pace.
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jjdub posted 11 weeks ago.
I am usually just a lurker that reads and doesn't post, but Anton's post really hit me.
I am going to figure out what I can do with my new passion.
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Ironmom posted 11 weeks ago.
Some good points there Anton. Although I would say it is worth it to do something you love, even if you aren't using it to pass on to others or raise money for a good cause, just because I think it affects your outlook on life in a positive way, and that can't help but be good for the universe (I certainly know it's good for my spouse and kids, LOL).
For me, it started out being something that I just really really loved to do. I was on the swim team in college and my coach required the whole team to do a triathlon. I immediately loved being able to get outside and exercise and not just be in a chlorinated pool all the time. Cross-training really appealed to me. After college, I never went back to just swimming, triathlon has been my sport ever since.
In the years since then, it has meant many different things, including pulling me out of some tough mental times, inspiring others to try it, coaching others, getting my body back into shape after having babies, hopefully being an inspiration to my kids and a way for us to be outside exercising together, coaching people who are raising money for TNT, riding for my LBS, advocating for bicycling in my community, etc. and still, it is something I love to do, something that brings great joy into my life.
Blue Skies, -Robin-
http://ironmom.blogspot.com/
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TriTebs posted 10 weeks ago.
I will not post some long and involved summary...
...it clears my mind, makes me a better daughter, sister and girlfriend. It helps me with time management, makes me feel better overall, and gives me motivation!!
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beads1985 posted 10 weeks ago.
Anton wrote:
"You spend all this money to do something that basically only improves the world by improving your outlook on it. If you don't take it and do something with it, it's narcissistic.".
Running and doing triathlons has definitely improved my outlook on life.
Anton wrote:
So here is MY question: Outside of the obvious racing, WHAT do you do with your triathlon fitness?
What keeps it from being just some narcissistic pursuit for you?
Do you guide others down a path to a healthier lifestyle? Do you raise money for charity? Do you work with disabled atheletes? Do you coach a kids sport? Do you work with a "Seniors" walking group?
Being a triathlete and being fit is great, but if you do nothing with it...It's worthless.
I definitely encourage my wife and kids to a healthier lifestyle as well as friends around me.
When I meet up with friends it is usually to get a run or a bike ride in.
I have raised money for charity on several occasions for several events. (None of the fundraising went to my race fees or transport either)
I have coached my daughters soccer teams for 7 years.
I keep in shape and use events as my short term goals to do the training.
My long term goal is to stay healthy so I can be around to watch my kids grow up, to enjoy my life with my wife, and other friends and family.
Nothing to it, but to do it
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Anton posted 10 weeks ago.
Oh, You're off the hook Scott...You are a fine example of fitness not only for your sake, but to the betterment of others.
I'm attempting to get others to think about this. "Why" is always a great question...but so is "What."
Of what value is all this? What am I DOING to make the world better? What is my endurance sports legacy and how has it effected others? What has happened to others because of this life style I lead?
If you're not asking these questions,you're missing the point of WHY you do this.
"If he wants to swim in dangerous waters...who are we to deny him?" Chef Skinner
My Blog: http://antonspath.blogspot.com
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gfd posted 10 weeks ago.
As a teacher, I see my 13 and 14 year old students giving me a certain added respect because of what I do athletically. I in turn use it to get across my point to them that you can do amazing things if you have a goal, patience, and follow an intelligent plan to achieve it.
It doesn't have to be endurance oriented, but the best things in life aren't instantly gratifying.
3 of my former students and runners I have coached have done a sprint tri. 2 other teachers have completed marathons and a third has lost significant weight and finished a half mary.
I help put on a Thanksgiving Day 5K but haven't given back nearly enough to the sport. The day will come when my children are older when I can volunteer for more than one race a year.
Time will tell the effect this lifestyle has on my kids. All they have ever known is that their daddy works out just about every day and twice a day on the weekends. They think the other daddy's are odd for not swimming, biking , and running.
"If you set a goal for yourself and are able to achieve it you have won your race." -Dave Scott
~Garen~ Blog: http://baldhungariantriproject.blogspot.com/
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PrinceofClydes posted 10 weeks ago.
I’m going to play Devil’s Advocate here, Anton. I think you should be giving to charity even if you don’t train for anything or belong to a club / organization.
I think that the swimming/biking/running is its own reward, that the journey is the purpose.
Raceday is just a bonus when we all get to hangout and celebrate what we do for the rest of the year and swap great training stories. Heck, I’d be doing this even if I didn’t enter a race!
You were born with a body that can easily go 4k in the water, spin a couple hundred kms on a bike and then jog 40 odd kms, what else would you do with it? That’s what God gave it to you for!
If you bought a Ferrari Boxer, you gonna park it in front of the TV and just look at it? Ya gotta see what this baby can do!
PoC
Go long, or go home.
Know what I told Santa I wanted for Christmas? Spring.
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sbrstlouis posted 10 weeks ago.
Everyone has their own reasons for taking up the sport, but it usually stems from a need to test one's physical bounds....
Matt Cazalas
Technical Writer
Network Cables
Being a student at a major university, a lot of people see me out running, riding, or swimming... a lot. I always see people at parties who say, "I saw you running this afternoon, then was that you on your bike three hours later?! How far did you go?" And, when I tell them how far I actually went, they're kind of boggled and confused... And there's always the age old question, "Why would you DO that?" And, of course, its difficult to say exactly WHY I do what I do. But here's my best "tri" :-)
I guess I'm slightly obsessed with being healthy. I love applying myself to things and getting results. I like looking and feeling good. I like being capable of things that few people are capable of. I love setting goals and meeting, exceeding, and expanding them. I like eating (almost) whatever I want. I love the outdoors, being outside, and most of all, exercising, while outside. And, being 10 months into my triathlon career, I've already come this far, and I can't stop now!
So that's my best attempt at explaining exactly why it is I do what I do. And, now, my question is, why do YOU tri?
Peace, Love, and Tri. :-)