The New Status Symbol

THE NEW STATUS SYMBOL

As I was trolling around the web , I came across an article :

HOW THE TRIATHLON BECAME THE NEW STATUS SYMBOL

These days if you're looking for cachet, you'd better be willing to swim, bike, and run for it. By Simon Dumen

Chances are you've been there: a dinner party where you get stuck sitting next to a lawyer who has nothing to say about the law—but won't shut up about Chamois Butt'r cream and the wonders of his triathlon ladder workout. 

More subtly than, say, whipping out the keys to his Bugatti, a certain sort of image-conscious striver makes the distinction clear: Prestige comes with being an athletic triple threat.

I am not sure it is. I recall cycling was the new golf in the corporate world and I know lots of professional types into cycling but sadly I can count the number of colleagues or acquaintances I know ( outside my social group of triathlete friends) who  have done a triathlon.

It still seems a fringe activity. Sure the Corporate BRW Triathlon has grown and  as everyone in Australia and possible the USA knows , Triathlon has become more popular. The USA Triathlon membership is now at 150000 ( USAT membership demographics ) Triathlon Australia has 12,000 members and 180 affiliated clubs .Races sell out and  it just seems more crowded at races. But is it a Status Symbol ?I am not so sure. I certainly stumbled into triathlon and got the buzz from finishing my first race , overweight and slow and scared but exhilarated at finishing.

It seems if it is the new Status Symbol ,it seems a lot of effort and pain for a Status symbol especially if you don't enjoy it or get it .

in a more recent piece in the Wall street Journal , Mr Alex Stubb , Minister for European affairs and foreign trade of Finland and a self-described "multi sport fanatic was featured and described the sport as:

"Triathlon is the new Harley-Davidson of middle-aged men like myself. Instead of leather, we're getting into Lycra,"

How A Diplomatic Finn Trains For A Triathlon by Frances Robinson (WSJ)

That is probably a more  apt description of the sport. 

I have been to the extremes of the training cycles and speak with some authority , if you don't enjoy the training you aren't going to last because there is a fair bit needed with 3 disciplines and it does suck if you don't improve. Whilst  Chrissie Wellingtons was at the apex of the sport she decided to have a break:

One of the reasons I felt I needed to take a break from full time training and racing, was that I felt I had lost a bit of the love. Instead of feeling like I wanted to ride my bike, I felt I ‘had’ to ride my bike. Instead of wanting to go out and power up a hill, I felt I ‘had’ to power up a hill. It is a subtle, but important distinction. Sport had become incredibly ‘structured’. I was obsessed with the minutiae: accounting for every second, every calorie, every breath, every repeat, every rest interval, every wobbly single leg squat. I wasn’t even seeing the scenery, hearing the birds, or chatting to my friends. And I sweated the small stuff … the really small stuff that I wouldn’t have given a thought to when I first started. What tyres are faster? What depth rims on my wheels? What pedals are best? Is someone else using go-faster drinks bottles? How many vents does my helmet have? What colour should my laces be? Is my rear hydration system floppy or aero?

Chrissie Wellington - Stripping Down

There are days and weeks when  I have had the same feelings . It effects us all especially if you are working and have a family and  other commitments . It all gets too much and that's when the fun is gone. I have had to readjust and re calibrate to rediscover what it is that is fun and enjoyable and why I still love the sport. As they say ...." Too Much Of A Good Thing....".  If only I had taken up Stamp collecting .

The Triathlon Culture

Culture:

Culture (Latin: cultura, lit. "cultivation")^[1] is a modern concept based on a term first used in classical antiquity by the Roman orator, Cicero: "cultura animi". The term "culture" appeared first in its current sense in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, to connote a process of cultivation or improvement, as in agriculture or horticulture. In the 19th century, the term developed to refer first to the betterment or refinement of the individual, especially through education, and then to the fulfillment of national aspirations or ideals. In the mid-19th century, some scientists used the term "culture" to refer to a universal human capacity. For the German nonpositivist sociologist Georg Simmel, culture referred to "the cultivation of individuals through the agency of external forms which have been objectified in the course of history".^[2]

Wikipedia

The triathlete is now a fast growing and readily recognized but diverse group of people. Still not so large it is a mainstream sport but what it lacks in popular sports culture it makes up with a core of dedication that will rival the religious jihadist .As Crowie says in the video clip it is dominated by Type A people so much so that if they were told if you eat 20 jellybeans you will go faster , lots will do it. Pure stupidity or unquestioning search for improvement.

The Triathlon culture is out there in the community , a group of like minded individuals who seem to embrace a complete lifestyle with a unique language and dress code. No different to the Amish . 

To some it borders on obsessive and extreme behaviour but no different to your ardent train or plane enthusiast or AFL Footy supporter . We thrive in the collective of our ideas and shared values. Sometimes it is ridiculous and sometimes very country or regional centric with the speedo issue the butt of ribbing in Kona each year with many Europeans walking around in speedo's which has launched the underpants run in Kona.

Tattoos are another reasonable sub group in the Triathlon Culture. IM is one of a handful of Brands on skin.It shows the depth and commitment of the following to Ironman a large subset of the Triathlon Culture. I haven't see Coke or Pepsi on any one's skin yet.

And yet for all the compulsiveness that seems to exude in this sport , it is for a lack of a better word , probably better to be in this culture mix of swim , bike and run then any other . Sure at the the extreme end , Ironman racing ,  it takes its toll on the body and literary shaves cells from your heart tissue , but it beats being a couch potato .

It transcends all ages . With the World Ironman Championship next weekend , there will be the usual  celebration of the many and especially the masters such as Theo Carroll at age 68 .Not quite the oldest but still as inspiring ( Preparing for her 7th Ironman .By Billy Cox Herald- Tribune)

I for one admit I am in this small but growing group of  Lycra wearing athletes .

Getting back into the Swing

Sunday Morning Sorrento beach

This week started out with great weather and a public Holiday .

Exceed were swimming at Sorento at 8 am .I decided to do my run .Got out at 7am and it was hard.I did get warmed up and started a block of 40minutes at Marathon pace after the first 2 easy kilometres. It was hard going but managed to keep the pace at about 5.20 minutes per kilometre. I then had a 6 -8 minute break and did the second block of 40 minutes .The first 3kms were good but I then started to tire and struggle.main reason no fluids and carbohydrates.I was really struggling .Silly mistake to think I could do a 2 hours run without any energy or fluids. I managed to find a tap in the Park and struggled on but with no food after 1hr 20 minutes I just had to struggle and finish the run. I had two stops and then ran slowly back home.Did 20.5km in 2 hours.

Tuesday , I had 1.5 hrs hard at Nedlands. I was out there just after 5.30 which meant a 4.30 start  from home to the Office and then riding out to Nedlands.  Claire and Ruari were just starting out and overtook me and we did a lap before  the main Exceed group were starting out.I managed 4 and a bit laps in the 1.5 hours and rode for just over 2 hours. Definite improvement but still fair way behind from my 2010/11 fitness.  In the evening , I had run training and Ross was back . Good to have a coach back to talk to. I did a 3km warm up and then 2km , 2 x 1km at threshold and 4 x 400m fast.Cool down was a further 2.5km . That made for a long day and very tired legs.

Wednesday , up early again for swim training. 700m warm up and then 3 x600m at medium , sub threshold and medium. I tagged behind Glenda and managed the session .The left arm was still weak and makes for an awkward stroke. Finished off with 200m Cool down .Total 2700m.

In the evening , I had work so I did my bike session at Kings Park in the late afternoon . It was overcast and there was a slight drizzle. It was hill repeats for 1 hour with a warm up and cool down for a total of 1.12. A couple of cyclist were sprinting up the incline making my efforts look pretty weak. It was a relatively good location to do hill repeats with the whole city skyline as a view .One of the better work out locations .

Thursday: Another , early start , getting to the office and then riding out to Nedlands.It was a brick session. i started out before the main pack and I did a lap of Nedlands circuit and a 2km run followed by another circuit ( about 10km ) and then a 2km run. the second run leg was hard . My throat was tickling and I kept coughing to the point of dry retching which made running hard. it was a hard session .

In the evening , had a 50 minute easy slow run .My legs did not thank me.

Friday : I made it . Morning swim was a 500m warm up and then 300m threshold , 500m medium , 300m threshold , 500m medium and 300m threshold with a 300m cool down with 200m kick. A total of 2.7km.



Saturday : A late start at 6.10am and it was a little chilly and the wind was getting up a bit. I had my usual Hills ride of 5 hours . There were 2 groups of cyclist at the start and they passed me pretty quick till Darlington Road when I rode passed them as they waited for stragglers. The wind was pretty hard in the hills especially whilst trying to climb .I Did not see a cyclist again till Mundaring Weir Road . As I climbed up to Kalamunda I caught 3 cyclist a guy and 2 girls and managed to pass them , a first for me before they caught up just as we reached Kalamunda. I had a short stop at the petrol station and got a chocolate Bar , not exactly nutrition but just needed it. Then rode the loop at Pickering Brook before climbing Mundaring Weir Road again . Coming down from Kalamunda is always fun with cars whizzing by as I sped down at 60 kph. I had a tail wind on the home stretch and that helped. i ran off the bike for 35 minutes and it was hot .

Sunday was a rest day but I was meaning on doing a swim at Sorrento . With the rain decided to skip it .Did make it for Yoga though.

Strengths

Part of the series of videos in the lead up to KONA. I am not including all of them but the ones that I find helpful and useful.

I enjoy the comments from the pros about the strength needed to do an Ironman  .It is mainly mental and even for me building the engine needed does come down to the mental capacity to put in the hours to build that capacity.

Whilst it is not the best of years particularly since Busselton 2011 , it does help to have small victories and to keep trying. Unfortunately with the pull from work commitments being significant this year the mental capacity to absorb the training work load has suffered somewhat. I see the year as a recovery year but it is heart warming to know even the best have set backs from time to time.

Pressure

The counter point to pressure is weightlessness , a complete freedom , ease ,  What a joy .

Each day I am under work and the general pressure of life. It is no greater or less than my friends in their jobs or in their daily lives. How we cope with it is the decisive question. Extremes of either end is never good. We need some stress in our lives and we need some peace . Getting  the balance right is the hard task . I envy some of the lifestyles of my friends and yet I chose to take on the life I have and the responsibility and the task. With it I learn to live with that pressure and learn to cope.

It is interesting how everyone deals with pressure and how over time we learn or can learn to adapt. I read a recent piece on triathlete magazine website on Crowie. In 2002 he was as the article describes:

 In one of Alexander’s first races for the team, Escape from Alcatraz, Vatterott watched uneasily as his new athlete was tagged early on with a drafting penalty.
“He refused to pull over for the official,” Vatterott says, describing how Alexander road-raged all the way into T2. “He was like a rabid dog.”
An image of Alexander unraveling into a tantrum doesn’t square with today’s image of the obsessively methodical and supremely consistent champion we have come to know over the past six years.

The Game Face of Crowie

He has certainly come far and has learnt to have that inner control and direct that energy in a positive way .

The difference between real life and racing is that unless you are a professional Triathlete  , all that occurs is you just don't fulfill your true potential. It doesn't happen at every race but there is always the next race and we move on . With life the ripples go further and there is really only one race , one life.

October 13

As October rolls by , it inevitably means many things , the last quarter of the year. Spring is truly ensconced in the Southern Hemisphere although we are not quite sure in Perth yet. It has been a mixed bag of weather. But for triathletes it also means  Kona and the Big Dance in the Hawaiian Islands .

The pros are mostly there and training .The Perth Triathletes are slowly leaving with in Kona already.

I haven't been to Ironman Kona and as the website address reveals it is on my Bucket list if the body doesn't fall apart and i get my Lottery Ticket .

Having said that it is a dream and fantasy which I rather enjoy from a distance . It possibly will be spoilt as the reality may not measure up to the dream . I enjoy the glossy texture of reading and seeing the race from a far with sound and music dubbed into the excruciating pain and stress that builds for each person racing.

It is a perspective that is so different to actually racing . To those who  I know will be racing Kona they will savour the moment . I enjoy the Facebook entries from the pros  and the pictures .It is enjoyable to live vicariously those who have live the dream ....especially now with the spirit not quite overflowing with enthusiasm.

I came across a different perspective , that of the parent following their pro son Luke.( Peter and Vicki Mckenzie's travel Blog )  It made for a change of the usual blog entries. Great pictures and I enjoyed watching Kona from a different perspective. A non triathlete. It looks like a great place that becomes a busy "look at me " Triathlete Mecca in October. I hope I don't become that person if I ever get that far .It is hard as those gathering at Kona will be the best of the best in the sport. They have every right to strut along Ali'i Drive . I will enjoy the spectacle from a far . Since 2007 Hawaii and in particular Kona has taken a whole different meaning for me from the days when I holidayed in Waikiki with my wife . As the late Israel "IZ " Kamakawiwole'le , a great son of Hawaii ,sings Somewhere over the Rainbow ...And the dreams that you dare to dream Really do come true.

Pear Shaped

Cottesloe Calm complete with Girl meditating 

Pear Shaped

The third meaning is mostly limited to the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australasia. It describes a situation that went awry, perhaps horribly wrong. ... The origin for this use of the term is in dispute. The OED cites its origin as within the Royal Air Force; as of 2003 the earliest citation there is a quote in the 1983 book Air War South Atlantic.^[1] Others date it to the RAF in the 1940s, from pilots attempting to perform aerial manoeuvres such as loops. These are difficult to form perfectly, and are usually noticeably distorted—i.e., pear-shaped.

Not quite but the week didn't go as planned with work and the wet weather.

Monday I did my long run in two legs .A run at lunch time on the treadmill with a 30minute session at marathon pace or slightly faster and in the evening a 55 minute session with another 30 min block at marathon pace.All up a total of nearly 18 kms . The next day I missed the morning ride and did my evening run session on my own , which was a 3km warm up and 10 x 1km at threshold and then a cool down of over 2km , a  total of 15.5km

Wednesday , I missed swimming and did my wind trainer session at Kings Park riding round the park and doing hill repeats in the rain. On Thursday it was a busy work day and I was just tired . Friday I did manage a short 30 minute run and a swim . The arm is feeling better .

Saturday I did not feel too good and decided I would skip the long ride . I did manage to get to Yoga and that helped.

Royal Show 2012

On Sunday , went down to Cottesloe for the first swim since Busselton in the Ocean. It was nice and calm but very murky .could not help wondering what was lurking around especially with the number of GWS sightings along our coast. swan to the Blue duck cafe and back with Les. I struggled at the start as it was cold but felt a lot better coming back.The left arm is weak but I managed to hold the stroke. On the way back , saw the rescue helicopter hovering near  the front of the Tea House and wondered if it had spotted a shark ? Obviously not . It turned out to be a beautiful warm day today as I headed for the Royal Show with Jonathan after coffee at Daisies Cafe and the swim.