"triathlete" or "i do triathlons"?

[tribro]

When you tell people you do triathlons or are a triathlete, do they assume you're incredibly ripped and do Ironmans? Which brings me to my next question. How do tell people you're in the sport? Do you say:

a) I do triathlons
b) I am a triathlete
c) something else?

I say "i do triathlons" because I feel there tends to be less of an assumption that I'm incredibly fit (which I am not ). I don't really think of myself as a "triathlete", at least not until I hit some performance level that earns me that label.

I feel those that do the Ironman or come across the finish line in top % of their age group in shorter distances deserve the title/label, and I'll just keep "doing triathlons" until I find that measure for myself.

thats not to say one can't call themselves a "triathlete" straight out of the gate. this is just my opinion, and something I'm using as a motivator to keep pushing myself in the sport.

thoughts? what do you say?

tribro3

[wilsondaj]

haha, thats a funny question because it made me think about how I describe myself..

I dont even go so far as to say 'I do triathlons', I say 'I train in triathlon'... not sure why, wonder what the aversion is to calling one self a triathlete ?

interested to hear what the others come up with

D

[flaniganrj]

I would say it depends on your competitive mindset. The worst thing you can call a competitive runner is a jogger. It will drive them mad because they log so many miles and push themselves to a degree that non-athletes don’t comprehend, and to be called a jogger...yikes.
I would say the same thing of our sport. We all choose a lifestyle that is very difficult and to not accept the title of "Triathlete" knocks down what you are achieving.
Let those who cross the finish line in the top % have the title they have earned.....elite. Let the rest of us be proud of what we are....Triathlete's.

[qb ant]

Good question Tribro and I tend to agree with you. When someone asks me what I'm training for or about the sport, I usually say "I do triathlons". The title "triathlete" seems somehow so much more than what I am. But I will say that when someone else refers to me as a triathlete, I feel really, really good. Most people who aren't familair with tri's probably don't know that there are different distances - to them we're all triathletes (and all nuts), but when I'm out there training for my races and know what it takes to do a HIM or IM, I don't think I deserve the same title. I guess once you cross the finish line whether it's a sprint or an ironman, you officially become a triathlete, but I think more than the races, it's the lifestyle and the training that earns us the title.

Ant

[Dan Smith]

Originally Posted by flaniganrj

The worst thing you can call a competitive runner is a jogger.

Amen to that. There is a local hill that I like to run repeats on as it gains 3,500 feet elevation in 4 miles. It is very popular for hikers. More than once a hiker has asked as I RUN by, "are you jogging all the way to the top?". I correct them and say, "no, I am RUNNING to the top!"

Since I have never done a triathlon before I don't have the temerity to call myself a triathlete. I say I am training for a triathlon as it is good rehabilitation for my ankle.

[Airborne]

Originally Posted by flaniganrj

I would say ... to not accept the title of "Triathlete" knocks down what you are achieving.
Let those who cross the finish line in the top % have the title they have earned.....elite. Let the rest of us be proud of what we are....Triathlete's.

+1 to that! I never say to people, "I do marathons" just because I'm not finishing in the top 10. You probably don't say "I do 5k's" even if your time is 20:00+. If you even care enough to ask the question, you probably care enough to consider yourself a triathlete.

[Cardinal223]

For me I mostly tell people that "I do triathlons" or something to that effect. However, when I was applying for jobs last year and had to create a section on the resume titled "Other Information/Personal Information" I put down triathlete. Figured I needed to find a leg up somehow...

[tribro]

wow, you guys found a old one. I posted this question when I first started the site more than 5 years ago...

for the record, i'm a Triathlete

[catwood]

I tell athletes that I'm a triathlete. If they are not likely to know what I'm talking about I say that I do triathlons because that seems to be more clear for people...

[Anton]

I don't define myself as an athlete when I meet people...
The folks that already know me just ask ..."What are you training for now?"
I see my self as a "Fun Hog" Not one of the originals,mind you (Doug Tompkins,Lito Tejada-Flores,Yvon Chouniard...How cool would THAT be?) But because I'm too diverse to be buttonholed and this is all about fun for me.
I run,do ultras, tri's, du's, IM's, Hike, climb, bike, swim, mess about on the water,cook ,read...and on and on.
To say, for me anyway, "I'm a triathlete..." is far too limiting!

[BigGus]

Originally Posted by Cardinal223

For me I mostly tell people that "I do triathlons" or something to that effect. However, when I was applying for jobs last year and had to create a section on the resume titled "Other Information/Personal Information" I put down triathlete. Figured I needed to find a leg up somehow...

Instead of just "Triathlete" how about:

"Motivated and disciplined self-starter as evidenced by maintenance of strict and rigorous triathlon training program."


And by the way, my name is Gary, and I am a triathlete!

[cayman]

It's funny reading this thread after a masters swim session this morning, a 34 mile biker afterwards and a run I'll be doing later this afternoon, new shoes woo-hoo!

I know I should be comfortable with the term triathlete, but somehow it just doesn't roll off the tongue yet.The more I do, the more I realize how much there still is to learn and to accomplish; even on a good day it still looks like a pretty long road.

The question rarely comes up anymore, most people who already know me know the punchline, it's kind of a hard thing to hide. When it does come up though, I still tell the inquisitive that I'm training for a triathlon and quickly change the subject. I think that's more of a personality thing though.

flaniganrj makes some very good points in his post, good food for thought. I'll have to see which way I go the next time sombody asks.

[BigGus]

Don't ever be ashamed of who or what you are. Last week I swam 5000m, biked 82 mi and ran 15 mi. None of my friends, family or co-workers did that? I don't brag about it, but when a co-worker asked me about my training program and I related it to him , his response was why don't you channel all that energy and come over and do my yard work. I had to explain to him that people mock that which intimidates and frightens them in order to justify their fragile egos. That shut him up. For the most part, those around me are amazed at my discipline, and at what I do. Whether you finish first, last, somewhere in between, whether you are a clydesdale or an elite, if you are training in 3 sports on a weekly basis (in the cold ,rain, heat etc.) , then make it to the starting line on any given cold Sunday morning ready to swim, bike and run your heart out, you are a triathlete. Okay, off my soapbox, but just my 2 cents.

[RV]

I am a triathlete.
That is a view I hold of myself, tho communicating that to others takes varying forms depending upon the audience.

[hakadoru]

I'm a multisport outdoor athlete.

How's that for a mouthful?

It's always good for starting a conversation and helps people to realize there is soooo much out there that they can do. In my case, it's swimming, biking, running, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and climbing. For the moment, I pretty much suck at just about every one of those different endeavors, but I enjoy the hell out of myself!

hak

[PetetheCanuck]

I think of myself as a " Triathlete" too. For me it really is a lifestyle, a very fun lifestyle!

[dr_rios_ec]

Very very interesting question...
Even more interesting the different points of view.
Now when I am confronted with the situation of telling people what am I, usually I reply that "I am and endurance athlete"
I run, bike, swim, climb, etc; what ever tests my endurance.
I can´t say I am a triathlete, something that I would be honred to be called, but is not the only thing I do.
I am just so proud and lucky to discover the wonders of triathlon trainning and life style.

[watrbg2]

It's from an old Frazz cartoon:
Q: What do you call the last finsher in a triathlon?
A: A Triathlete
Can't say it any better.

[RandyMichelle]

Great question for me. I have participated on only 3 triathlons. One 1/2 Ironman and two ironman events. I do not consider myself a triathlete, but when I am in training for an event, everyone that knows me thinks I am crazy. I do this on occassion as a way to keep my sanity and challenge myself. I am definitely not as fast as I want to be, but I truly enjoy the triathlon community and the meditation that goes along with the hours and hours of training.

[fittycent]

I usually say "I do triathlons" only because it's easier for these Texans to understand. I have no problem using the word triathlete, but it really just confuses these people. Even so, the kinds of questions they ask about this sport are hilarious:
"Do you do FULL triathlons?"
"So, when's your next marathon?"
"I have a friend that did a sprint marathon."
I really just try to avoid the topic if I can, not because I'm ashamed, but because I grow weary of explaining things to people all the time.