"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.
"I hate swimmers" sounds more like a statement of envy to me. I recently have had the opportunity to practice in the pool with tri athletes and also to compete in an open water series last month. In general they are a different breed but once you get to know them they can be great training partners. Also I am impressed by the improvement in swimming among triathletes - my impression after this last open water swim. When I first started open water events there were not too many triathletes trying the swim only competitions, and they were in general not good swimmers. At last month's event there were some outstanding swimmers wearing triathlete garb.
Originally posted by AnnG
"I hate swimmers" sounds more like a statement of envy to me. I recently have had the opportunity to practice in the pool with tri athletes and also to compete in an open water series last month. In general they are a different breed but once you get to know them they can be great training partners. Also I am impressed by the improvement in swimming among triathletes - my impression after this last open water swim. When I first started open water events there were not too many triathletes trying the swim only competitions, and they were in general not good swimmers. At last month's event there were some outstanding swimmers wearing triathlete garb.
Oh yes. I agree about the envy in some triathletes. I'm not exactly a fast swimmer, do I care that others are faster than I? No, and the reaon is because these folks are great to train with. Someday I might excel to their level and swim a bit faster.
The reason the swim distances are so short is very simple.
John Collins and his buds are sitting around discussing what race is tougher. Waikiki Rough Water, Around Oahu Bike Race, or the Honolulu marathon. A few beers later they say why not do all three.
The important part being Waikiki *rough water*. Only the first couple of races were actually done in rough water. The course was soon moved to another location but the distance was kept the same. While the ironman was not the first triathlon, it was the one that got the attention. So all triathlon races can indeed trace their basic ratios to the original ironman. Viewed in that light, the olympic distance, 1.5K, 40k, 10k is weighted much more toward swimmers that the oter races. Alhough it is still a joke.
that a triathlete would say that. I've started in the sport of tri this year, and in comparison, I would rather call myself a swimmer, as opposed to a triathlete...there are some real a-holes in the sport. and, RUDE!
In the end, it's individual, but a very typical type of remark if you ask me...
My thing is this: don't hate the playa, hate the GAME! :cool:
Amen to that Swimmer Bill. The triathletes in their brand newgoofy garb and posing stances are usually quite the buff crowd but what a pleasure it is to blow them away in the water. And, if they are sporting an Ironman tattoo, that's like chumming the water for me.
I always worry more with the swimmers in the ratty old suits and scratched up goggles. Those are the ones that you know can swim fast.
I did an open water swim hosted by a triathlon group a few years ago. I was a little overweight at the time, and didn't look anywhere near as fit as most of the other participants. Same with the lead swimmer (I was second out of the water behind the other "swimmer." Anyway, the very fit looking triathletes (who all wore full wetsuits) looked at the two of us "swimmers" in disbelief, as if we were magical. We didn't look all that fit, but we blew everyone else away by about five minutes. It was fun.
