Another reason triathlon is cool
It just struck me the other day...
In the last couple of years, I've gotten to meet and briefly chat with Chrissy Wellington and Craig Alexander at a relatively no-big-deal relatively local race. (KS 70.3) In that same time frame I got to go on an easy bike ride with Chris McCormack, where we probably chatted 15-20 minutes before he was doing another very local race (I happened not to do that race) in Des Moines. I caught him after the race and we talked for another 5 about how his race went (which was awful at first and then a little better as it went on), and he was also gracious talking to my son...and introduced us to Andy Potts. At my one "moment of glory" race (LV 70.3), Greg Bennett joked around with me about his wife for a minute while we were both getting ready to race.
I realize that I've kind of lucked out on this end, but you gotta say...how cool is that? Not very many sports do average participants/fans ever get to hobnob with the elites like that.
I suppose it will end if there is every big money in triathlon, but for the meantime, this is a really cool thing.
Comments
- My wife's first 70.3 was at Racine in 2010. Also racing was Crowie. He stuck around after the finish and was still there when my wife finished almost 3 hours later. She about fell over when we just walked up to him and introduced ourselves. His hearty "Congrats!" about her first 70.3 is a story she tells often
- Walking around Kona in the week before the race and being able to go up and talk/take pictures with the pros and celebrities...Andy Potts, Chris Lieto, Faris al Sultan, Tim O'Donnell, Crowie, Macca (the ladies went gaga since he had just gotten out of the water at the cove across from Dig Me beach!)
- Leaving T2 with Tony Kanaan (this year's Indy winner) and running the first mile of the marathon with him and giving each other: "I want your job"
- Walking down Ali'i drive at midnight-thirty with my buddy Randy talking with Macca and Terrenzo about Macca's upcoming Olympics bid.
You don't get stuff like that with most any other professional sport. Where else are you competing at the same time and on the same course as the Pros? Maybe a golf Pro-Am, but that is about it....You certainly can't go play in the World Series, Super Bowl, or World Cup.
And lastly, 99% of all triathletes are just really nice people. The amount of goodwill and help given to first-time triathletes is always a wonderful sight to behold.
yes very cool.
for me:
potts and crowie at Alcatraz 2008.
Belinda Granger at Hawaii 70.3. Chatted. Signed my CDA hat.
Andreas Raelert during the run Regensburg 2010. Chatted then I beat him for the day.
Have also met Julie Dibens, Matty Reed and Chrissy Wellington as well as now have a friend in Malaika Homo (lesser known pro) after having her as a homestay with us for Quassy starting in 2010.
Yup, triathlon is totally cool!
Matt - I heard that Crowie doesn't know what races to do this year since you a taking a break after the birth of your daughter. I guess Crowie didn't want a piece of you at the TTT though.
Seriously, I've met Crowie, Julie Debens, Dave Scott & Tim Deboom....all are as friendly & gracious as you would ever want.
Macca occasionally shows up to one of our small, local sprint/oly races in the LA area. Pretty awesome to have a big fish like him in our small pond, though it's always kinda odd to me in that he's the last guy you'd expect to see in such a small, low key race.