The Triathlon Culture
Triathletes are very diverse. Some are fierce competitors while others are simply out to challenge themselves. Some are fat while others are slim. Some are in their eighties while the youngest triathletes are a mere 13 years old. As varied as triathletes are, they all have two things in common.
First, all triathletes are constantly striving for personal improvement. They train with purpose. They use their training to learn about their personal character. Their training is about learning the limits of their body and their mental mettle. Their training is about increasing their V02Max. It is about overcoming injury. They are always looking to improve their swimming, biking, and running techniques. Their training is about improving efficiency and fitness level.
With one eye on beating their "Personal Record" (PR), triathletes always have the other on their fellow athletes. This leads me to the second thing that all triathletes have in common. Triathletes are always willing to lend support and encouragement to other triathletes. Don't get me wrong, triathlon is a race against the clock. Triathlon follows one main principle which is "one man, one race". Triathlon is not a team sport. In a race, triathletes cannot receive ANY support from anyone. They must be prepared to meet their own needs such as repairing their own bike in the event of a mechanical failure. But my observation is that when not on the race course, every triathlete is willing to lend a hand to another.
These two attributes are what lures me to triathlon. When I am depressed and anxious, I will set out on a bike ride or a run and I will work my body. I work my body past the fatigue, past the aches and pains. I work my body and focus my mind until my mind becomes quiet and rested. It is at this point that the workout becomes satisfying. This constant practice of overcoming my body's weaknesses helps temper my mental and emotional mettle. I am constantly setting new benchmarks for what my body can accomplish and endlessly strengthening my mental mettle and personal character. Secondly, it is the companionship and common goals between triathletes that build such a strong triathlon culture. For example, if you need help with your swim stroke you can always find a fellow triathlete willing to give you pointers. There are always fellow triathletes willing to share a workout. The triathlon community is an awesome community to be a part of.
IRONMAN
© Copyright Ryan Robert Schopke, 2006
First, all triathletes are constantly striving for personal improvement. They train with purpose. They use their training to learn about their personal character. Their training is about learning the limits of their body and their mental mettle. Their training is about increasing their V02Max. It is about overcoming injury. They are always looking to improve their swimming, biking, and running techniques. Their training is about improving efficiency and fitness level.
With one eye on beating their "Personal Record" (PR), triathletes always have the other on their fellow athletes. This leads me to the second thing that all triathletes have in common. Triathletes are always willing to lend support and encouragement to other triathletes. Don't get me wrong, triathlon is a race against the clock. Triathlon follows one main principle which is "one man, one race". Triathlon is not a team sport. In a race, triathletes cannot receive ANY support from anyone. They must be prepared to meet their own needs such as repairing their own bike in the event of a mechanical failure. But my observation is that when not on the race course, every triathlete is willing to lend a hand to another.
These two attributes are what lures me to triathlon. When I am depressed and anxious, I will set out on a bike ride or a run and I will work my body. I work my body past the fatigue, past the aches and pains. I work my body and focus my mind until my mind becomes quiet and rested. It is at this point that the workout becomes satisfying. This constant practice of overcoming my body's weaknesses helps temper my mental and emotional mettle. I am constantly setting new benchmarks for what my body can accomplish and endlessly strengthening my mental mettle and personal character. Secondly, it is the companionship and common goals between triathletes that build such a strong triathlon culture. For example, if you need help with your swim stroke you can always find a fellow triathlete willing to give you pointers. There are always fellow triathletes willing to share a workout. The triathlon community is an awesome community to be a part of.
IRONMAN
© Copyright Ryan Robert Schopke, 2006
posted by Schopke at 4/04/2006 07:53:00 PM
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