Tankini, mountain bike, duct tape and beach towel. This might sound like the list of things to pack for a camping trip, but it was actually the checklist for my first triathlon.
While triathlon can be daunting in many ways, the “gear” is one that stands out to many as a clear differentiator between those that are “in the know,” and those that are not.
What you really need to know is that money isn’t necessary to have fun in this sport. If you’ve never been to a race before, you may not be aware of how many options you actually have as a triathlete.
There are literally hundreds of combinations of components for bicycles alone, let alone types of wetsuits, nutrition options, running shoes, etc. The most important thing you need in triathlon (that isn’t available in any sporting goods store) is a great attitude.
With three sports going at once, many things could go wrong. As a triathlete, you must learn to take each race in stride and roll with the punches.
Leaky goggles during the swim, flat tires during the bike leg, and cramped up calves during the run may threaten to derail your triathlon success, but it’s up to you to determine how much of that will matter.
A “can-do” attitude is necessary to stay positive even when your race is shaping up to be an impossible journey through endless obstacles. Whether you’re the person on the $600 bike or the $25,000 bike, racing in a torrential downpour will challenge your ability to stay positive on the course—and there’s nothing you can buy to make that situation any better.
It’s actually easier to buy expensive gear than it is to summon your can-do attitude. Assuming we all had disposable income, shopping for items that make triathlon more appealing wouldn’t be too hard. Some of us would do research to figure out the best brands to buy, while others would simply throw down cash for whichever products were the most expensive.
Can-do attitude doesn’t work like that.
In order to truly realize your potential as a triathlete, you need to look far beyond the wallet and discover what drives you in this sport. For many (myself included), training for triathlon is an ongoing conversation with our bodies and minds to consistently meet and exceed challenges. The sport reminds us that we’re healthy and capable of doing more than the bare minimum—that we can exceed our own expectations and tap into extraordinary discipline, willpower and energy.
This kind of “self-actualization” may not shine as obviously as a Pinarello Dogma racked in the transition area, but it will reveal itself through the smiles of those athletes who, despite their challenges, continue to plod along the course to complete their mission.
You’ve seen it before—people with prosthetic legs who run past you on the course, or people with no legs who use their arms to cover distance with great speed. You’ve seen it in the athletes who are older than you, are overweight, or otherwise “seemingly” unqualified to be passing you in the swim, bike or run.
These people aren’t passing you because they have money—they’re passing you because they have heart.
Like anything else in life, triathlon has a place for those who like to spend money and show off their toys, and that’s okay. For some, appreciating the value of high quality gear is a big part of the sport. For others, it’s an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors a bit more. In that respect, it’s not much different than the camping list I referenced at the beginning of this post.
Whatever triathlon means to you, it’s important to stay true to that and not to get swept into the hype of having the best gear, or being the best athlete.
Life gives us plenty of reasons to worry about time and money. Let triathlon be an opportunity to worry about energy and attitude.
While triathlon can be daunting in many ways, the “gear” is one that stands out to many as a clear differentiator between those that are “in the know,” and those that are not.
What you really need to know is that money isn’t necessary to have fun in this sport. If you’ve never been to a race before, you may not be aware of how many options you actually have as a triathlete.
There are literally hundreds of combinations of components for bicycles alone, let alone types of wetsuits, nutrition options, running shoes, etc. The most important thing you need in triathlon (that isn’t available in any sporting goods store) is a great attitude.
With three sports going at once, many things could go wrong. As a triathlete, you must learn to take each race in stride and roll with the punches.
Leaky goggles during the swim, flat tires during the bike leg, and cramped up calves during the run may threaten to derail your triathlon success, but it’s up to you to determine how much of that will matter.
A “can-do” attitude is necessary to stay positive even when your race is shaping up to be an impossible journey through endless obstacles. Whether you’re the person on the $600 bike or the $25,000 bike, racing in a torrential downpour will challenge your ability to stay positive on the course—and there’s nothing you can buy to make that situation any better.
It’s actually easier to buy expensive gear than it is to summon your can-do attitude. Assuming we all had disposable income, shopping for items that make triathlon more appealing wouldn’t be too hard. Some of us would do research to figure out the best brands to buy, while others would simply throw down cash for whichever products were the most expensive.
Can-do attitude doesn’t work like that.
In order to truly realize your potential as a triathlete, you need to look far beyond the wallet and discover what drives you in this sport. For many (myself included), training for triathlon is an ongoing conversation with our bodies and minds to consistently meet and exceed challenges. The sport reminds us that we’re healthy and capable of doing more than the bare minimum—that we can exceed our own expectations and tap into extraordinary discipline, willpower and energy.
This kind of “self-actualization” may not shine as obviously as a Pinarello Dogma racked in the transition area, but it will reveal itself through the smiles of those athletes who, despite their challenges, continue to plod along the course to complete their mission.
You’ve seen it before—people with prosthetic legs who run past you on the course, or people with no legs who use their arms to cover distance with great speed. You’ve seen it in the athletes who are older than you, are overweight, or otherwise “seemingly” unqualified to be passing you in the swim, bike or run.
These people aren’t passing you because they have money—they’re passing you because they have heart.
Like anything else in life, triathlon has a place for those who like to spend money and show off their toys, and that’s okay. For some, appreciating the value of high quality gear is a big part of the sport. For others, it’s an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors a bit more. In that respect, it’s not much different than the camping list I referenced at the beginning of this post.
Whatever triathlon means to you, it’s important to stay true to that and not to get swept into the hype of having the best gear, or being the best athlete.
Life gives us plenty of reasons to worry about time and money. Let triathlon be an opportunity to worry about energy and attitude.
Do you ever sleep????
ReplyDeleteps, I am I the fast fat guy you were refering to? Bob W.
ReplyDelete