Triathletes and their egos

jinka

Did ya here that one on Gerry Ryan show this morning saying she had no tv as she was a triathlete?! come on....

stevie_b

no. i don't have a radio as i'm a triathlete. was it good?

jinka

Surely your mp3 has a radio!

umpire bat

Light drizzle forecast for tomorrow so you'll hear the radio in the gym with all the other triathletes.

tunney

There is a type of triathlete that are some of the most annoying people I've ever met. They really get on my tits. The egos, the self centred nature, the "everything I do is interesting" attitude.

However I think that they problem really is that these people are d!ckheads and would be regardless of their sport/past time. Its just the personality type that triathlon is attracting.

There is the old joke: "How do you know who is a triathlete at a party?" "Just wait, they'll tell you".

Bambaata

tunney wrote: »

There is the old joke: "How do you know who is a triathlete at a party?" "Just wait, they'll tell you".

I think every walk of life has them and triathlon is no exception.The way i see is that i'm not much good at any 1 sport so i'm trying to compensate by combining a few :pac:

tunguska

jinka wrote: »

Did ya here that one on Gerry Ryan show this morning saying she had no tv as she was a triathlete?! come on....

Now now, dont be jealous. Its unbecoming

copacetic

tunney wrote: »

There is a type of triathlete that are some of the most annoying people I've ever met. They really get on my tits. The egos, the self centred nature, the "everything I do is interesting" attitude.

However I think that they problem really is that these people are d!ckheads and would be regardless of their sport/past time. Its just the personality type that triathlon is attracting.

There is the old joke: "How do you know who is a triathlete at a party?" "Just wait, they'll tell you".

it's like you are describing yourself Tunney!!


Personally I think people who come late to multisport often become evangelists for it. They may only have been average at one sport but combine 3 and they can be pretty good. Then they start putting everyone else down for not eating right, having the right gear or getting out of T1 in 30 seconds.

Most people can keep it on the level and just enjoy it though.

copacetic

copacetic wrote: »

They may only have been average at one sport but combine 3 and they can be pretty good. Then they start putting everyone else down for not eating right, having the right gear or getting out of T1 in 30 seconds.

Good point. Gotta admit know a couple of triathletes (and not drawing any conclusion from this) who were just about crap at every ball sport as teenagers, no hand eye co-ordination/two left feet syndrome, but bust a gut and are good triathletes. It's like they're driven to compensate.

tunney

Deleted User wrote: »

Good point. Gotta admit know a couple of triathletes (and not drawing any conclusion from this) who were just about crap at every ball sport as teenagers, no hand eye co-ordination/two left feet syndrome, but bust a gut and are good triathletes. It's like they're driven to compensate.

I played rugby for 6 years and hurling until my mid twenties. (okay i was fairly pants at both)

Bryan McCrystal (most triathletes will know him) played soccer for Leeds. (he was there when leeds were good, although played on the reserves)

I know loads of ex hurlers who have turned to triathlon.

I think its more the case that you loose your explosive speed in your twenties but don't hit your prime for triathlon until mid thirties.

racso1975

No offence tunney but i would disagree with a lot of stuff you say but i think you really hit the nail on the head with those points!!!!! like the joke also

hunnymonster

wot Tunney says but to add, triathlon can be quite expensive and involve quite a few weekends away. It's certainly not something I could have afforded in my early 20's. The training is also quite time intensive, again not something I could have managed before now.

Didn't hear the radio slot unfortunately so don't know who she was or what else she said.

griffin100

I wasn't aware that not having a tv was a sign of a big ego, but then what do I know, as a late convert to multisports I've probably an ego as big as some of the marathon and ultra runners on this site.

I have to agree with Tunney on this though. Some people are just a pain in the arse in general whether they are big into triathlon, golf, etc. In a previous life I was a reserch SCUBA diver and the diving community has the biggest collection of egos and d*&ckheads I have ever come across in one 'tribe'. To be honest I'm surprised at the lack of ego in most of the triathletes / marathon runners I've met in the last 18 months. When you do meet an a$$hole at a race they tend to be from certain (Dublin) clubs and are probably a pain in general life.

--amadeus--

I'm not a triathlete but from what I've seen on here people will bend over backwards to give advice and help to each other.

I have to say that in running (specifically road racing and marathons) I have never come across anything that could remotely be described as an ego. A humbler, nicer and more helpful bunch is hard to imagine.

tunney

griffin100 wrote: »

When you do meet an a$$hole at a race they tend to be from certain (Dublin) clubs and are probably a pain in general life.

ROFL..........

liamo

hunnymonster wrote: »

Didn't hear the radio slot unfortunately so don't know who she was or what else she said.

She seemed like a perfectly nice person who simply didn't watch TV. Her TV had been sitting in the corner gathering dust for months so she got rid of it so as not to be liable for a TV license. I really don't know how the OP managed to stretch to "Triathletes and their egos" from that interview. Her being a triathlete was, frankly, incidental, it was about her not having a TV!

Frankly the whole point of the opening post is completely lost on me so let me be the first to say "whoooooosh" if I've missed something obvious. Or perhaps it was meant tongue-in-cheek - in which case, "Whoooooosh" again.

Bambaata

To add i actually like the community around triathlon. At races its easy to strike up conversation with people in transition etc and i always find people very encouraging with each other. Ive only been through 1 season but i find most in the sport saying nothing but good things about it without any ego and being supportive of the "newbies" who are anxious before the race.

I don't think the sport would be getting as popular as it is if it was so full of egos

and finally I dont watch TV whatsoever. The only time i watch TV is when the champions league is on and i have the turbo out (its about the only thing that helps me put in a decent time on the turbo!) Does this constitute to me having a massive ego? To substitute i watch about 5 movies a week though :P (God bless Cineworld unlimited cards!)

pgibbo

Bambaata wrote: »

To add i actually like the community around triathlon. At races its easy to strike up conversation with people in transition etc and i always find people very encouraging with each other. Ive only been through 1 season but i find most in the sport saying nothing but good things about it without any ego and being supportive of the "newbies" who are anxious before the race.

I don't think the sport would be getting as popular as it is if it was so full of egos

+1

I have completed 4 triathlons now and I have to say my overall impression is one of a very decent bunch of friendly folks. Likewise, at the very limited number of local (Galway) road races I have been too everyone is very friendly and seem very genuine too.

I think all sports have egos and muppets. When I did rowing there were some major egos there. Likewise with soccer, golf and martial arts. It's par for the course but I do think most Dublin clubs (sorry to generalise but that's been my experience with rowing, soccer and karate) are guiltier than most for having large egos. Take it with a pinch of salt and enjoy the sport for what it is. I wouldn't let the minority turn me off a sport.

lightening

griffin100 wrote: »

When you do meet an a$$hole at a race they tend to be from certain (Dublin) clubs

I'm from Dublin, myself and a gang of friends from our club used to help out doing rescue for the triathlons for free. I am an experienced canoeist. All Dubliners giving part of their weekend so competitors could complete their event safely, we would even cheer them on, bang our paddles on the deck of our boats. That girl on Gerry Ryan that sparked off the ego thread certainly didn't have a Dublin accent.

hunnymonster

Actually, as a side topic, that's an interesting one lightening and something I've often thought about. There seems to be an expectation at most triathlons that the local kayak club will turn up to do water safety at the triathlon. Most of the time they only seem to get a left over teeshirt or similar as a thank you. I feel they should be paid properly. They've incured the costs (actually getting there and maintenence of boat etc) and given up their skilled time i.e. not random volunteers handing out water or the like.

tunney

hunnymonster wrote: »

Actually, as a side topic, that's an interesting one lightening and something I've often thought about. There seems to be an expectation at most triathlons that the local kayak club will turn up to do water safety at the triathlon. Most of the time they only seem to get a left over teeshirt or similar as a thank you. I feel they should be paid properly. They've incured the costs (actually getting there and maintenence of boat etc) and given up their skilled time i.e. not random volunteers handing out water or the like.

Staying OT, given that most races have shifted to for profit ventures I'd agree

lightening

Who said Dublin triatheletes don't have egos?

lightening wrote: »

I'm from Dublin...I am an experienced canoeist.

:D

Sorry lightening, it was an open goal!

lightening

It's a big thing, loading the roof rack, getting your gear ready, being there before everyone, sorting out who takes the lead, who brings up the rear, who stays outside etc.... A lot of the time you are pointing directions for the swimmers too. I did it for about thirty events with my fellow Dublin paddlers, I have carried out about twenty rescues. It's just a thing we did for friends of friends, got the odd t-shirt and a Liffey swim bag. Never considered getting paid, but we always got plenty of appreciation from the organisers. I have never ever been approached with thanks by a competitor, they are usually legging off to get their bikes in fairness. But... I have walked by rows and rows of cars with competitors getting changed after the event with my canoe over my shoulder and not a word was ever said! Most paddlers are serous sports people too, I guess a lot of triathletes are on a high after the event.

I did a particularly big big swim years ago. It involved one on one, one canoeist to one swimmer, hours of paddling beside the swimmer, handing over food and drinks and all. At the end, our designated swimmers hopped out of the water without a word of thanks! We were disgusted. I reckon a lot of people thought we were being paid.

Clum

hunnymonster wrote: »

Actually, as a side topic, that's an interesting one lightening and something I've often thought about. There seems to be an expectation at most triathlons that the local kayak club will turn up to do water safety at the triathlon. Most of the time they only seem to get a left over teeshirt or similar as a thank you. I feel they should be paid properly. They've incured the costs (actually getting there and maintenence of boat etc) and given up their skilled time i.e. not random volunteers handing out water or the like.

My club is a non-profit making club and often hand over the balance of race earnings to the local canoe club as a sign of appreciation for their help at races.

lightening

Deleted User wrote: »

Sorry lightening, it was an open goal!

I said experienced, not good!!!!

interested

lightening wrote: »

I did a particularly big big swim years ago. It involved one on one, one canoeist to one swimmer, hours of paddling beside the swimmer, handing over food and drinks and all. At the end, our designated swimmers hopped out of the water without a word of thanks! We were disgusted. I reckon a lot of people thought we were being paid.

Again - staying OT
Whether you were being paid or not - doesnt excuse someone not saying thank you. As per original topic you get unpleasant people in all walk of life. Ive done and do a fair bit of OW swims where kayak support is critical at times - for navigation and safety (and water to wash away the effects of sea sickness on my part on several occasions ). Without that support the events wouldnt happen. I generally manage a thumbs up at the end to the kayaker and during one event managed 'thank' breath 'you' as they were heading off to help someone else.

lightening

interested wrote: »

I generally manage a thumbs up at the end to the kayaker and during one event managed 'thank' breath 'you' as they were heading off to help someone else.

Again... OT, sorry mods!!!

Of course, the competitor can be disorientated, sick, bollixed, confused and sometimes even traumatised.... so there are reasons!

Swimmers, you should see yourselves sometimes! You all jump in and swim off in all different directions, it's like something from the Monty Python show! The padders are great for navigation.

airscotty

Some serious triathleat bashing going on here...intreseting

tunguska

lightening wrote: »

It's a big thing, loading the roof rack, getting your gear ready, being there before everyone, sorting out who takes the lead, who brings up the rear, who stays outside etc.... A lot of the time you are pointing directions for the swimmers too. I did it for about thirty events with my fellow Dublin paddlers, I have carried out about twenty rescues. It's just a thing we did for friends of friends, got the odd t-shirt and a Liffey swim bag. Never considered getting paid, but we always got plenty of appreciation from the organisers. I have never ever been approached with thanks by a competitor, they are usually legging off to get their bikes in fairness. But... I have walked by rows and rows of cars with competitors getting changed after the event with my canoe over my shoulder and not a word was ever said! Most paddlers are serous sports people too, I guess a lot of triathletes are on a high after the event.

quote]

Lightening, as a Triathlete I'd like to thank you for your time and efforts. I think most people at triathlons are oblivious as opposed to rude. I mean until I read your post it just wouldnt have occured to me how much effort the canoe people put in. But from now on I'll make a point of going over after the race and thanking them.
Cheers

lightening

tunguska wrote: »

I think most people at triathlons are oblivious as opposed to rude.

And bollixed tired!!! No worries. Not bashing scotty, just observations...

RacoonQueen

tunney wrote: »

Bryan McCrystal (most triathletes will know him) played soccer for Leeds. (he was there when leeds were good, although played on the reserves)

OI, we still are!!!

Big ego's are hardly unique to triathletes, how many people on here regularly tell random strangers that they're long distance runners/competitive track athletes etc etc Still OT but I can't understand how people can't thank the race organisers/volunteers in sports like running/cycling/triathlon etc...it's NOT easy handing out water when you have 10/20 hands coming for you at one time, I quick ta' or a nod doesn't take up that much extra energy.

rovers_runner

Why are Triathletes tied to the running forum on boards anyway?
Why not to cycling or swimming?

It's becoming quiet easy to pick the triathletes from the dedicated road cyclists in the Phoenix park too as of late, ye don't own the roads.

liamo

rovers_runner wrote: »

Why are Triathletes tied to the running forum on boards anyway?
Why not to cycling or swimming?

This was done to death months ago before the change was made. Triathletes are not tied to the running forum. There is no running forum. There is an Athletics/Running/Triathlon forum.

It's becoming quiet easy to pick the triathletes from the dedicated road cyclists in the Phoenix park too as of late, ye don't own the roads.

<Yawn>

aero2k

RacoonQueen wrote: »

OI, we still are!!!
Still OT but I can't understand how people can't thank the race organisers/volunteers in sports like running/cycling/triathlon etc...it's NOT easy handing out water when you have 10/20 hands coming for you at one time, I quick ta' or a nod doesn't take up that much extra energy.

You're absolutely right, I've been that soldier and it means so much when people say ta. The flip side of the coin is that I tend to be in a fairly bad way crossing the finish line - I need someone to remove the chip from my number and if it's one of those that go on the shoe there's no way I can manage it myself. I try to mumble a thank you and muster a smile, but I'm not sure how well I manage.
My heart goes out to the drug addicts competitors in the Tour de France having 20 microphones shoved in their faces as they cross the finish line on the mountain stages.

AllTheWay

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