Triathlons are very addictive, and a great motivator to eat right and exercise daily. I did 4 last summer and it was worth all the cost and time training. I actually found that even with the different foods you need to buy, I actually spent less than all the eating out I used to do, and just drinking water most of the time instead of carbonated drinks. Once you've bought the bike, the rest really isn't all that expensive unless you are really competing to win. Getting up early to run or bike, and taking lunch to swim, has been great. With gas prices, I now bike to work daily (12 miles each way). I can't say enough how much I love triathlons. I'm 39 years old, and you'll find that most competitors are 35-45, so don't stay on the sidelines thinking that you'll be competing against a lot of 20 year olds, because that's not the case!

I respect those who do some of these races but I've never met such a group of people who think so highly of themselves. Bottom line is that many of these people never became good at one sport so they think they can make up for it by doing three sports at one time. Instead of trying to get good at one sport, they become mediocre in three but because they are doing three, they feel they are better than just a cyclist or just a runner. Just because you complete a sprint triathlon doesn't mean you're better than someone who completes a marathon or a century ride. But don't take my word, ask any triathlete and you'll be overwhelmed of how much they think of themselves. That is, if they'll talk to you. A lot of triathletes don't have respect for us how may only do one sport. Read the editors comments in trihive and you'll see how much they think of themselves. They always want that pad on the back because they are doing three sports. That "ooh" feeling that people give them just adds to their already massive ego.

lemme guess, you couldn't complete a triathlon if your life depended on it right now.

The reason people do triathlons is not because they're unable to be good at one thing, it's mostly because doing just one thing is boring and shows a lack of ability to look beyond the comfort zone.

Not impressed,

I think you are right about the hardcore triathletes that really think they are cool. There is nothing I love more than to blow by them on my bike (no aero bars) when they are all geeked up in their wind helmet and tri specific bike. But then again i'm a strong biker.
The fun of tri's is to work on your weak events to become more fit and well rounded. It is a fun event most of the time and you should just join in the party. The burley spudman is especially fun and easy going. Because the swim is down river and easy it keeps all the "serious" jackholes away and only the fun people show up.
The Clydesdale class (all the big guys/gals) is especially fun because WE don't have to worry about anything other than having fun and trying to get better.
All you tri snobs out there, you know who you are, please give it a rest and try to enjoy it as much as us clydesdales. Everyone will appreciate it. It's also ok to wash the numbers off your arms after. If you're cool people will know it anyway.

Thanks.

Let me start by saying I respect anyone who has the dedication to run, swim, bike or participate in any endurance sport regardless of their skill level. And most people participate in these sports knowing they will never be "the best." Most people are �mediocre� but they compete because they are striving to be "their best." Why criticize them for that?

You couldn�t be more wrong in your opinion about triathletes. Most triathletes are very uplifting people. Maybe you�re confusing their confidence, which they should feel good about themselves because they are doing something good in their lives, with arrogance. I know Alex (the editor of trihive) and he has never come across as prideful or as having a "massive ego"�despite being a great athlete.

Maybe you need to look in the mirror and come up with a plan of how to build yourself up instead of tearing others down.

while I fit the description of being not great at either running, biking or swimming, I do traithlons not because I can combine my mediocrity into one mess of sweat, but because it keeps me balanced, fit and healthy.

I have nothing but respect for marathoners. Likewise, I think marathon runners have respect for triathletes.

It's usually the people who don't get off the couch that think those who do endurance sports are arrogent.

You can find jerks anywhere, including the Tri community. Even in the Des News comments. :) But that shouldn't be a reason to paint a whole slew of athletes with the same brush.

I mean, you'd never make a broad generalizations about another group, right?

But the reason I am training for a Tri has nothing to do with not being good at one sport, it is because as a runner, at age 46, I can keep my body more healthy by diversifying my exercise.

I love to run, but running doesn't always love me!

So one way to improve my conditioning, instead of adding miles to my running, and risking injury, is throw some other activities into the mix.

I don't particularly like competing, but having a race in the future gives me the motivation I need to get out and train every day.

If more people considered their bodies this way, we'd probably have a lot more healthy, fit people walking around.

I use to be an overwheight ex football player who was looking for some fun and fun people to get back in shape with and I found it in the tri community. My first was difficult but I just want to do better and better. I highly recomend it, even if you are old and out of shape like me when I started.

My daughter has entered her first this Saturday. I am definitely impressed. It's a true personal challenge for and a great commitment from a mother of four.

Go Emily!

Not impressed is obviously NOT INFORMED. Having competed the past six years in numerous triathlons my experience has been that most of the top finishers were in fact stellar athletes in a single sport, i.e. running, biking, swimming or even college football, prior to trying their first TRI. I have also found that the great majority of triathletes are fun loving, fitness minded, family oriented people with a zeal for life and the outdoors. Come on Not Impressed, get over your fear of water and learn how to swim...the water's warm; except in the Idaho Snake where a bunch of us stuck up snobs will be competing this Saturday in the Vikingman Half-Iron. TRI IT!

Great article. For the first time in my adult life I have been working out regularly, and this a great goal for me to work toward. Keep it interesting!

I tried preparing and working out for a small tri races. I loved it. I never got to the point that I felt I could do a tri, but, I did manage to get to the point that I did a few 5K races and a 10K. I had a great time. Good job tri folks......keep setting that example.