Guys like me give triathletes a bad name (Page 2)

heh, I always like to say that I'm built for comfort, not for speed 

I LOVE your post!!!!!!   I can honestly say that not one person in my immediate family is gifted with any athletic ability at all.  In grade school, I was the skinny nerdy kid that was always picked last when picking teams.   I'm still pretty much a skinny nerd .... and uncoordinated and slow.  But exercise gives me a high like no other.  I will never be fast, but I can go at a slow pace all day long. 

Thanks for you post Rogillio.  Sometimes I get a bit discouraged when I read about all the training methods.  Intervals, tempo runs, etc. etc.   How can I run at 5k pace when I have yet to run my first 5k race.    It's nice to know someone else has adopted similar training methods.  (Although a HIM is not in my future, or at least not yet.)  I train for fitness and to feel good.  Not to be fast or competitive.

Diane

Welcome to the club!   I was not blessed with the Athlete Genes either.  I was, like others have said, always last to get picked, and at 5'8 and 210 lbs, I was certainly not in the form one expects of a triathlete (or any athlete for that matter)!  For me to call myself an athlete, let alone a triathlete, was not something I could even consider.  My self image wouldn't let me.

Then the mid-life crisis came, and I decided I needed to do something about my phyisical shape, so I started running.  Like you 10:00 minute miles came on a good day!  Now, 5 marathons and 1 triathlon  (2 as of the end of the month) later, I have improved my self image such that I can, and actually do, call myself an ATHLETE and a TRIATHLETE!  I'm a solid mid to back of the pack participant, but I'm improving with each and every workout, and my self image is much better!

Don't worry about looking like an athlete.  I'm still a long way from having the body of an athlete, but I know that I am an athlete.  I've never seen or heard any marathoner, or triathlete EVER speak ill of those who are out there doing it, regardless of their physique or speed!  In fact, I once heard an elite marathoner say that the marathoners he respected the most were those who were in the back, just doing their best to finish the race!  His comment was -- "Hey, I get the thing over with in 2:30 or so.  Those in the back have to endure for more than 4.5 hours!  I don't know if I could run that long!"  He then backed up his words by going back out along the course after he finished the race and cheered those in the "back of the pack" on and gave great encouragement to all!  So even those of us in the back inspire someone!

So, don't beat yourself down -- you ARE a marathoner and soon WILL be a Half Ironman Triathlete!  You've done what 97% of the population has never done or ever will!  You are a champion, regardless of your time or phsique!  

Keep up the great work, and most important -- ENJOY BEING A TRIATHLETE!

I coached a lot 250# guys. My best story is one guy who is 6'2" and started at 245# - and couldn't run 30:00 for 5k (10/m). 2 years later he ran Boston marathon in 4:09 (just over 9 pace) and later that year he went 12:04 at IMFL, whilst running a 4:30 marathon - just over 10:00 pace - so if you want to be fast you  can - as his 5k PR is under 21:00 today. That's my point - you can do anything if you want. :-)