wow! cynicism from Slate...who'd a guessed?

jeslol,

I glad someone has brougth this up here. Sorry to tell ya, but I argee. The Ironman, or any triathlon for that matter, does not consist of the swim, bike, walk. It is the swim, bike, RUN! Now, before I go off sounding so arrogant, I understand that not everyone can manage running the entire marathon portion of a IM event. I'm fine with that, I do not think it takes away from their accomplishment in the least as long as they planned on running. You have to make attempt, or at the very least, at some point durning the race think you are goning to take one step in an effort to run.

Let me tell you what does chaps my a$$. When people make no attempt, or just plain say "I'm gonna walk all 26 miles." "Listen man, I got it figured that if I go...in the swim and....on the bike I'll have just enough time walk my way across the finishline." That kinda crap drives me nuts. I'll tell you why. The rest of us are out here training for three sports (hence triathlon) while anyone who plans to walk only need focus on two. Swim and bike just fast (and it's really not all that fast) enough to ensure you can walk the rest of the way. Now that's the spirit of Ironman!!

Look, all I'm saying is give a shot. Why resign to having to walk before you even try? Is it too hard? Others ARE running. I could not justify being proud of my accomplishment if I made no attempt to particpate in the event as is was intended. Is that not truly the diffculty and honor of finishing an IM. Saying at the end of day, "I put in the training, I worked as hard as I could, so that I could complete a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile RUN.

I simply wonder how anyone who sets forth with this mentality can be proud of what they have accomplished at the end of the day.

The only thing i read in the article is "I don't get to hold this over people's head anymore" over and over again.

What's the big deal about these people racing if there behind you the whole race? Elitest BS at its finest.

While were at it, might as well get rid of those disabled "athletes" too since they don't "run." Better yet, get rid of wetsuits too, nothing but a purist swim in my triathlons. If you want to dance on the slippery slope, you better be ready to ride it all the way to the bottom.

I didn't like the tone of that article at all. It has a bully-like "we own this schoolyard" attitude that noone above the age of 12 should have to put up with. My lone finger salute to the author.

Ya, I saw that article as well. Truthfully after reading the first paragaph I turned away. Got the gist of where he was going and didn't care for it.

Who cares how long it takes someone else, or if everyone can someday say they are an Ironman or Marathoner. I think the world would be a better, healthier, place if we all did do them. And what's the difference from doing on your own or doing it in an event.

I guess some people do it for the wrong, ego stroking, reasons.

A bit too elitest. Take it a step further and it implies that no one other than the winner of the event really has any business being out there!
I give great credit to everyone that gets off the couch and participates. Even moreso, after doing IMWI this year. As I was completeing the marathon, there were people making the turn to go out for their second loop. They proably had 2 - 3 more hours to go. That is some dedication to keep on going in the cold, dark and rain like that.

Feel the need to clarify something here. I never said anything about planning from the get go to walk the ENTIRE run of any race. There are definately days where you resort to "Plan Y" and walk the entire run, because it beats "Plan Z" of DNF. I have every intention of running the entire run of every race. However, I'm realistic and I know that running 26 miles without walking at the end of an IM is not a practical goal for me. Unfortunately there are people out there who don't believe I should even sign up for the event, because of that.

Does it really matter what motivates someone to do an IM?
I did mine for me, as well as for my kids. I think it is a great life lesson for me and them.
Knocking someone for wanting to tell the world that they did an IM - so what. They put in the training and finished. They are an Ironman. Some people need to brag, some have self-satisfaction. Most have a little of both.

Tikal Dog - Yup we have consensus... I agree with you on that as well. The whole IM, make that Triathlete, lifestyle is to put forth your best effort. It is about pushing your limits, challenging yourself. That is what I tell my kids in their events - I don't really care where you finish, if you are putting forth your best effort, then who could ask for more. And that each best effort is the foundation for the next.

I, too, think the guy has an attitude problem, but life is boring when everyone agrees!

Looking beyond the elitist attitude, I can see at least one point I find to resonate. The article addresses the motivation for running a marathon, which some of you have also mentioned.

If the entire point of running a marathon is to show up at the office on Monday morning with the intention to tell every single person you see how you finished a marathon, you might as well stay at home. I'll admit it, I got a bit excited after signing up for IMWI and told a few people, but now I couldn't care less what everyone else thinks. The IM is for me. It's a chance to see what I'm capable of and a chance to bond with my best friend who'll probably end up going to school in another state for the next four years.

I think it comes down to a dilution of the nobility of the marathon. If I could re-write the article, I'd remove all mention of "slow." It's not the speed. It's the attitude.

As for walking during the IM, I'm going to continue to delude myself into thinking I'm going to sprint the entire 140.6 and not have my heart explode.

I'm an athlete, and have always been one. Had I ever thought of doing an IM or 1/2IM? No way! I'm a sissy! But, I like challenges. And once I tried my first tri, I was in....for the long run...so to speak. There was no question in my mind that I'd be walking some of the marathon in the IM...more than I hoped for, but oh well. But there was no way in hell I was going to DNF because I couldn't run the entire marathon! I'm a working, average, short girl....I'm not Natascha Badmann or Lisa Bently...they're super athletes, and are far more dedicated to worshipping triathlon than me. Good for them. Good for me.

Now I have had some of those thoughts when I go to the Y or to a local race and see the newbies...especially those people who have joined the triathlon fad! I say fad, because last year while I was bored to tears in the pool swimming lap after lap alone in prep for IM, there was no one else there training for tri's. But this year there's barely room for everyone in the pool! These are the people who float...literally, on their backs during the swim, and who unfortunately crash into other people because they can't control their bike. A person I know somehow coerced a nurse friend for his to go every step of the IM with him, in case he stroked-out...as far as I know, triathlon is an individual sport that you should be prepared for.

You can look at it like this (trying to remain positive): at least people are trying to get fit. I'm happy to see so many people becoming motivated to live healthy lifestyles instead of drinking, smoking, drugging, sitting on the couch, etc.

One more thought: I recently bought the video Running on the Sun, the story of the Badwater Ultramarathon. EVERYONE walked some of the 135-mile course. Endurance translates to "patience, survival, stamina". Could I do the Badwater or another IM or the Primal Quest...in my mind, hell yes, knowing darn well that I'd be walking my @$$ off at times. Does that mean that I didn't accomplish my goal? No way! There's only one IM champion and it ain't gonna be me...but I am still an Ironman...sorry Natascha!

I agree about those who do events and don't observe some sort of race etiquette, or follow the rules.

When I started I went to the outside and went into the water slowly during the swim,

I took minimal space in the transition area,

I kept to the right during the bike and the run,

I read the rules before the race too :D

If the pro's didn't have age groupers there would be little or no prize money.

Age groupers attract sponsors, and provide entry fees so the event can be run, and fund go to prize money too.

If there were no age groupers the pro's would have a lot less fans too.

Tikal Dog,

Well put and right on point, sir.

Xtri has a similar article up now about IM racing and how people are going in unprepared.

http://www.xtri.com/article.asp?id=1862

My girlfriend is one of these people, diving into an IM with no real experience in triathlon. She's dedicating the next year to preparing for this event that she knows will kick her ass over and over again over the course of the day.

I've been building up to an IM for 3 years and will probably finish it with a relatively good time. She will probably pound her body into dust and collapse on the finish line, but I still think her experience will ultimately be more rewarding than mine.

It's all about overcoming obstacles as far as I'm concerned, personal and external. If you're doing that, then you have every right to participate in this great sport.

Atropos..... I desagree! Your girlfriend signed up unexperienced that is very different as racing unprepared.

She has a lot of time to get prepared and I bet she will!!

Like Anton says...."Anything is possible."