The Pretend Triathlete Part Deaux, Being the Second Part

I realized after I hit "Publish" yesterday that my post may have sounded like I was denigrating two people groups: 1) Real Triathletes 2) New Year's Resoluters.

In fact, I am not.

As to number 2, see a post by the Steve in a Speedo guy. I believe I linked to that last year, but like he said in his post this year, it's worth repeating. The article basically talks about how we have the opportunity to help some folks accomplish some goals. That's what we're all on this Earth for anyways, aren't we?

As to number 1, well, I wish I did all of those things I accused triathletes of doing. However, if you're just getting into the sport or don't think of yourself as athletic, don't think you won't be able to enjoy a race just because you're not a super athlete. I've had fun at each and every race, but haven't come close to winning.

There are some very competitive people that race, but most of the community is pretty supportive. I've passed folks and been passed by folks who said "Good job!" as we went by each other. I don't normally say anything because I'm too worn out to speak and run at the same time.

It occurs to me, though, that I'm not a great evangelist for the sport; I haven't convinced even one person to run in a race. Maybe that just proves that triathlon has to choose you, and not the other way around.

OK, enough for now. Thanks for reading.

The Pretend Triathlete

I am not a real triathlete; to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. Oh, sure, I've ran in a few triathlons over the last couple of years, all Olympic distances with a 70.3 thrown in. So I do triathlons but I'm not a triathlete.

Triathletes hire coaches, have expensive bikes, swam in college or high school, and run about 100,000 miles a year. Not me.

My coach is me. My training plan is TBD. I paid $250 for my bike in 1991. I flop like a fish out of water when I try to swim. If I run 20 miles a week I feel like I climbed Mt. Everest.

In fact, not only am I not a triathlete, I'm ready to confess that I'm not even an uno-athlete. When describing my athletic prowess people use words like "awkward", "slow", and "is he serious?"

Nevertheless, I will attempt a few more races this year, and I have no time to waste. I already signed up for the 2012 Branson 70.3 Ironman.

So I need to get to the pool. The last time I swam was September 18, 2011, which, by the way, was the date of the 2011 Branson 70.3 Ironman. I had a rather poor showing that day, so that's a big reason I'm returning to the scene of the crime as if being led by the Ghost of Triathlons Past-I totally have to redeem myself. I thought I'd hit the pool pretty soon after the new year, but I may wait a couple of weeks to the let the New Year's resoluters clear out.

Until then, I'll lift weights and run. did I mention I need to get my bike put back together?

Here are my new running shoes:

Asics Gel33 Blur, or something like that. Maybe I'll write a review later. Until then stick to those resolutions; maybe I'll see you at the pool.