Lance Armstrong

espn.go.com/.../lance-armstrong-runner-panama-triathlon-snubbed-winner Lance is now a pro triathlete. :applaud: Warning: the above links to a triathlon article, and therefore does not mention swimming in any way shape or form. I just came off a triathlon forum and someone started a poll if Armstrong damages the sport or helps it. More than half voted that he damages the reputation of triathlon. I thought the bashing was way over the top and don't really get it.

Lance is now a pro triathlete. :applaud: Warning: the above links to a triathlon article, and therefore does not mention swimming in any way shape or form. True. Not much needs to be said on his swim though. 19:20 over 1900. Do the maths. So good to hear some positivism about LA for once, dammit.

I just briefly perused the Top 13 Reasons hyperlinked above, and stopped when I got to #7. Ridiculous. 7. MINUS – Perception for those that race on the Big Island is that must pay some dues. Race a few times and gain some appreciation on what others have done to get to the top spot. If Armstrong races and wins the first time he tries, what’s the perception in the sport? Did he pay his dues? Does anyone care? Ridiculous on multiple levels... for one, he did pay his dues decades ago! Classic video is classic: FamilyFitnessWeekend.com - Lance Armstrong Triathlon Champion - YouTube

Triathletes do whine a lot. And post their workouts on facebook too often. But they do work harder - way harder - than swimmers (and get divorced because they become too obsessed about it).As my sprinter swimmer friends like to point out to me and my mid-distance/distance ilk, just because you work out longer does not mean you worked out harder. That being said, it boggles my mind why anyone would ever want to do an Ironman event, much less train for one. The process and the event sounds about as interesting to me as reading the NYC phone book. I am impressed with the lunatics who do, though.

As my sprinter swimmer friends like to point out to me and my mid-distance/distance ilk, just because you work out longer does not mean you worked out harder. That being said, it boggles my mind why anyone would ever want to do an Ironman event, much less train for one. The process and the event sounds about as interesting to me as reading the NYC phone book. I am impressed with the lunatics who do, though. Ironman is the art of running a marathon when you're already exhausted. I've done it twice and I don't need to do it any more.

Actually my impression is that many triathletes are usually people who didn't do any sports at all, got fat and lazy and then decided to do pick up running in their mid/late-Thirties to lose some weight. They do one marathon, get over-enthusiastic and then decide to pick up triathlon. Then they make a big deal about "their" sport and how much they workout. Btw, there is also a top 13 reasons why Lance Armstrong is good & bad for the sport of triathlon article: www.everymantri.com/.../the-top-13-reasons-why-lance-armstrong-is-good-bad-for-the-sport-of-triathlon.html The triathletes I know are not casual athletes, they have all done several IMs and many are Kona qualifiers. But I am well aware of the more casual "competitor" as well, whose only goal is to finish the race; one of my friends calls their races "I-did-athons." Interesting list of 13. Maybe I am biased but I found the pluses far more persuasive than the minuses. For example, I laughed aloud over the lament that "Lance has nothing to do but train." First of all, I am willing to bet that his plate is reasonably full. Second, all the IM triathletes I know train an obscene amount of time, enough that you wonder when (or if) they work or spend time with their families. And those are the amateurs.

When Dara Tores came back, quite a few elite females complained loudly and publicly about losing "their" spot to someone who already had their turn. I am equally sure that there are a few pros triathletes who feel the same way. And these people are all self-centered jerks.

Recent research indicates fast twitch muscle fibers have a direct neural connection to the part of the brain that initiates verbal complaints. In a process similar to Tourette's Syndrome, higher percentage of fast twitch fibers leads directly to involuntary spasms of whining. Further research shows that slow twitch types are bipolar. While engaged in marathon endurance workouts, their serotonin and dopamine levels spike, leaving them in a state of near euphoria where they embrace pain, brag about pain, and write poetry about pain. But once their extended crowing further depletes their glycogen levels, they crash, reaching for the ever present Advil bottle and bitterly complaining about the laziness and vileness of those who avoid overtraining and garbage yards.

... and write poetry... Random gibberish Wall hangers endless complaints Distance, pure and true

Yes. Just like when one triathlete spends $xxxx.xx amount on a bike or pair of running shoes. Like Geek's road bike ($3xxx.xx) Recent research indicates fast twitch muscle fibers have a direct neural connection to the part of the brain that initiates verbal complaints. In a process similar to Tourette's Syndrome, higher percentage of fast twitch fibers leads directly to involuntary spasms of whining.********