Triathletes

I think it is odd that the tri folk spend some of their time at swimming workout talking about a Sunday run tomorrow. Do they also get together on their run to talk about Monday morning swim practice? And why is it they are doing so much talking, anyway? That takes away energy best used on making the next set of 12 x 300 with paddles, buoys, fins, nike crosstrainers and carbon graphite water bottles.

Originally posted by kernow OK- so they can be a bit cliquey, but they're not so bad. ;) Just some friendly razzing on the account of their cliqueiness

"I think that this thread was started as just a playful ribbing type thing?...." What, I'm supposed to have a sense of humour? :D

Originally posted by Michael Heather I think it is odd that the tri folk spend some of their time at swimming workout talking about a Sunday run tomorrow. Do they also get together on their run to talk about Monday morning swim practice? And why is it they are doing so much talking, anyway? That takes away energy best used on making the next set of 12 x 300 with paddles, buoys, fins, nike crosstrainers and carbon graphite water bottles. Actually they do. Many of my friends who do tri's talk about how hard our swimming workouts are all the tiem. Soem even brag that thyecan kep up!

My two cents worth (which is never actually worth 2 entire cents btw!!): I think that this thread was started as just a playful ribbing type thing?....It seems like the GoodSmith just likes to start some threads to stir up a little activity (like a heated debate sometimes)....kinda like stepping on an ant bed or knocking down a hornets nest.....I didn't get the impression that anyone actually felt real contempt towards our triathelete brothers and sisters out there (but then again...it is the GoodSmith...so who really knows??)....I work out with just a few other guys in our small community...and swimming is probably the least popular sport of all possible sports here (on every level including high school sports and age group sports etc...).....One of the guys that I work out with regularly is a triathelete.....He is definitely the most dedicated (and hard working) swimmer in our group (besides me that is).....He is a real good guy and I get along very well with him (I did from the very start in fact...He is now a good friend).... BUT, I still found some of the ribbing against triatheletes funny on this thread b/c I could see some of those triathelete stereotypes mentioned on this thread in my friend.....I think people should be able to laugh a little at eachother and our differences in jest without taking it too personally (BTW, ...did I use "too" correctly this time Knelson??...or should I have used "to" instead there?....Honestly...I just took a wild guess at it there?). That's all I wanted to say. Peace and harmony folks, Newmastersswimmer

Originally posted by Swimmer Bill using equipment constantly when no equipment is called for, I think that 'regular' masters swimmers are far more guilty of that than any group of tris you'll ever find. Masters swimming is home of the unnecessary equipment. You'd think masters swimmers couldn't function without a pull buoy on. (I'm not a tri, and I never use a pull buoy.) -Rick

I am a former competitive swimmer (through college) turned triathlete. I hate the generalizations that triathletes are mediocre at 3 events. I happen to be a very strong swimmer (always in the top % out of the water) and a strong cyclist. Running is my weakest of the 3. So what if I choose to do triathlons and not just swim exclusively? Why should it matter to anyone else? Our Masters swims are great. Sure, there are a lot of triathletes, but no one has a beef with anyone else. People need to lighten up. If someone enjoys doing triathlons or just swimming, great. Let them do it and keep your opinion to yourself.

It may be a little unfair to make this point using a generalization about all triathletes. Certainly, there are some triathletes who feel they can change things to suit their needs in group workout environments -- but not all triathletes do that. There are many people who feel they can alter group workouts regardless of the coach or others in the group. Trust me, that group includes many people who are not triathletes. Speaking as a retired coach and Masters swimmer who occasionally visits group workouts, I feel that anyone who significantly alters a coached, group workout should probably consider lap swim instead of group workouts. If I go to a group workout, my procedure is to try my very best to respect the coach and other swimmers, and do what the coach asks. If I know I feel like doing my own thing, I do lap swim. Changing a specific workout to all freestyle, using equipment constantly when no equipment is called for, or making other significant changes is unfair to the other swimmers, and it's unfair to the coach. That's my 2 cents. Swimmer Bill

Dear Upswim- perhaps lightening up would do you some good as well.

I don't know how to let everyone know this, but USMS is losing out to the UST(or whatever their organizing body is). The largest open water swims are all triathalons. OK, they aren't a pure swim but there are a lot more and they have more competitors. I can't tell you why its easier to get people to sign up to try to master three sports than a single one but it is. Most masters team have a large tri contingent. Mine does. Tthe underlying question of why triathalons are growing rapidly and masters swimming isn't, is something that we need to recognize. I don't know why. Is it more satisfying to get slaughtered in a triathalon than in a pool meet or open water swim because there is a greater assumption of accomplishment associated with completion of a tri? I don't know.