As if the whole running thing wasn't enough:
Study: Triathlons can pose deadly heart risks
March 28th, 2009 By MARILYNN MARCHIONE , AP Medical Writer (AP) -- Warning to weekend warriors: Swim-bike-run triathlons pose at least twice the risk of sudden death as marathons do, the first study of these competitions has found.
www.physorg.com/news157482153.html
I don't know about this. I see a lot of superb athletes at triathlons. I'd say the vast majority are athletes.
As to fees, can't agree with you either. For about $60 I get to race for well over an hour at least, with police at intersections, get a t-shirt, a SWAG bag, enough food and drink at the end to skip a couple of meals, a closed OW course, etc. Yesterday I ate a foot long sub, two bottles of gatorade and two bottles of water when I finished. I think I consumed more than I burned off. I definitely got my $60 worth.
Good point, geek! I forgot about the food. One triathlon I did had Subway sandwiches, big cookies, beer, and great live music. I definitely got the most out of my money there!
Rob - True there are many out there that are not good swimmers, but some of those folks can run or bike pretty darn well. Careful, there are a lot of elite runners and bikers who do triathlons who could claim that there are a bunch of former college swimmers who do triathlons that can't bike or run worth a ________. I've seen some outstanding swimmers finish at the bottom of their age-groups. They may have the best swim, but it seems that is all they can do well.
Also, you can't get an accurate idea of the time on the swims because the distances are always off. You can't even gauge running ability sometimes because even the best runners can bonk on the run after an all-out bike effort.
I don't know about this. I see a lot of superb athletes at triathlons. I'd say the vast majority are athletes.
As to fees, can't agree with you either. For about $60 I get to race for well over an hour at least, with police at intersections, get a t-shirt, a SWAG bag, enough food and drink at the end to skip a couple of meals, a closed OW course, etc. Yesterday I ate a foot long sub, two bottles of gatorade and two bottles of water when I finished. I think I consumed more than I burned off. I definitely got my $60 worth.
Good point, geek! I forgot about the food. One triathlon I did had Subway sandwiches, big cookies, beer, and great live music. I definitely got the most out of my money there!
Rob - True there are many out there that are not good swimmers, but some of those folks can run or bike pretty darn well. Careful, there are a lot of elite runners and bikers who do triathlons who could claim that there are a bunch of former college swimmers who do triathlons that can't bike or run worth a ________. I've seen some outstanding swimmers finish at the bottom of their age-groups. They may have the best swim, but it seems that is all they can do well.
Also, you can't get an accurate idea of the time on the swims because the distances are always off. You can't even gauge running ability sometimes because even the best runners can bonk on the run after an all-out bike effort.
