"I hate swimmers!"
This was a comment I overheard at a triathlon that I competed in today. There was a group of triathletes discussing thier dislike of those of us that can swim. I just found it a interesting comment and wanted to see what others had to say about it.
OK, here it comes, a topic that annoys me almost as much as our famous noodler sagas.
I'm soley a swimmer and most of the triathletes I know are great people but it's really, really annoying some of their behavior at the swim portion.
First, regardless of the temperature, they either have to wear those silly two piece things or a wetsuit and the gigantic super goggles more fit for a dip in the Carribean. Now, this is the south, you don't need a wetsuit from mid April until late October. And, if it's just an open water swim, why wear the two piece man-bra? All you are doing is slowing yourself down.
Second, they always, always, always crowd the front of the swim start regardless of their abilities. If I'm in an open water swimming event and I know I'm not the fastest I'll hang to the outside or let the faster guys go 5 seconds or so ahead. No, not the triathletes. They bum rush the front, kick you in the head for 200 yards and then fall woefully to the back at 250 yards. So, there I am lounging on the shore after the race, dry and happy and in come the dudes who kicked me at the start of the race.
It is always good motivation for me to beat the triathletes in open water knowing full well I can't ride a bike or run to my mailbox.
OK, here it comes, a topic that annoys me almost as much as our famous noodler sagas.
I'm soley a swimmer and most of the triathletes I know are great people but it's really, really annoying some of their behavior at the swim portion.
First, regardless of the temperature, they either have to wear those silly two piece things or a wetsuit and the gigantic super goggles more fit for a dip in the Carribean. Now, this is the south, you don't need a wetsuit from mid April until late October. And, if it's just an open water swim, why wear the two piece man-bra? All you are doing is slowing yourself down.
Second, they always, always, always crowd the front of the swim start regardless of their abilities. If I'm in an open water swimming event and I know I'm not the fastest I'll hang to the outside or let the faster guys go 5 seconds or so ahead. No, not the triathletes. They bum rush the front, kick you in the head for 200 yards and then fall woefully to the back at 250 yards. So, there I am lounging on the shore after the race, dry and happy and in come the dudes who kicked me at the start of the race.
It is always good motivation for me to beat the triathletes in open water knowing full well I can't ride a bike or run to my mailbox.
