Body Type Presumptions

Granted, I've only done one sprint tri so far-- but one of the things I absolutely LOVED about it was that the competitors were all sorts of different shapes and sizes. There really was no way to tell simply by looking who would be faster or slower than others. Just brilliant, I thought.

Funny.......I have had people walk up to me and ask me if I was a triathlete ! I have a lean build.......but I am sure not fast!! So I suppose its all relative.  

I know what you mean...

My sports background has been track & field in high school and college (decathlon and indoor triathlon - totally different sport) and then a bunch load of cycling.  These days I look like a retired NFL linebacker, so most people assume that I have a football background. 

I have been a cyclist and runner for about as long as I can remember. I am 5'10'', 180, and lean. We have two guys at my gym who have almost identical Ironman times. One is tall and lean as can be, the other is built like me. There really isn't any way to tell, but it is funny how people tend to stereotype.

x2...except i am a little looser in the middle tip the scales at 235lbs, lol

I watched kona all day as well while I was at the shop working on my GFs jeep and then when I got home and was cooking dinner, when she showed up she started watching as well she commented several times (and at my race 2 weeks ago as well) that i better no plan to get that skinny. I'm 6'1" and about 210 right now, goal is about 190-195. So I don't fit the typical build in that sense and have big shoulders and neck.. most people who want to start trouble will back off as soon as I stand up... When I was 180 at the end of HS and racing mtbs and swimming I Was 4% body fat and way too skinny. I've bulked up a bit since then just naturally and through working on cars. I have no plans to lose that but at 190 I"ll look much better now then I did at 180 before even if there is some more body fat.

My first race was just a sprint but I was 5th in my age group (first in the swim and 5th or 6th on the bike.. took it easy on the run not to rehurt myself)... I had less then 4 months training as in  got back in the pool for the first time in 11 years in the end may, bike in june and I never really ran other then a few months back in 03.. Then I was hurt and didn't do much for 2 months.. So yeah not having the typical build doesn't mean much apparently. I was only 4 minuts off first in my AG and knew I could have given it more during hte race was just taking it easy.

Do I plan to be competitive on a pro level with my build.. no, but i don't plan to be even if I had the right build..

Doesn't really matter what you are built like if you are achieving what you want to achieve

But since we notice and even my GF who is just looking in notices I don't think its out of line to note the stereotypical body shape.. its a stereotype for a reason.

I am like you in my build- but I used to weigh 224# at my highest ten years ago (down 80# now)! I definitely think that there are a lot of presumptions out there, but that's ok with me. I know my diet STILL needs fine tuning and I also know that if I were a Pro and getting PAID to do what those pros do, my body would look A LOT different! I also know that my remaining 20# or so hold me back a bit too as far as my speed goes. But, I sleep good at night knowing that I can always float on the swim!

Triathletes come, obviously, in all shapes and sizes... not surprising.

What surprised me, though - in marathons and triathlons - was that you cannot judge someone's talent/ speed/ skill by how they look. I've smoked people who "look athletic" - long, lean, muscular ..... and have been smoked by people much older, heavier, etc. than me.

(the pros are an exception --- every pro I've seen LOOKS like a pro!)

I actually think it's pretty cool to see the variety of folks out there doing this. I'm definitely on the big side of the triahlete form... flirting with Clydesdale class.

But one thing that blows me away more than body type is when someone flies by me with a "55" on their calf!

But I certainly don't mind when I fly by someone in their 20's looking at the "40" on mine!

Love this sport.