Ironman World Champion

You Gootta like that...
Great Pics.

That is great, I like the last one very cool.

Roy

Thanks, Roy! I couldn't believe how gracious he was for spending time to take a picture and also taking the time to ask me questions (why aren't you racing?! you're doing ironman next year, right?!). It's gotta be a Canadian thing!

He's been an athletic hero for quite some time now, and his warm personality made the experience of meeting him that much better. My gf and I were very happy people today.

WOW, i'm definatly jelous that you got to meet him.... awesome pics

Hey trilover,

If the world champ was #2 who was #1?

Enquiring tri-nuts need to know these answers.

Roy

Great pics Tri! Sounds like a very cool experience!
I was on the medical staff at IM Coeur D'Alene last year and got to meet a lot of cool people too, including Heather Gollnick, the woman's winner, and Petr Vabrousek from the Czech Republic, as well as many, many others from around the US. The reason I mention this, is because without exception, every single competitor was very friendly, outgoing, and just a joy to be around. Even the ones who were feeling crummy from competing in the 97 degree heat that day. The comraderie that they shared with everyone around them was one of the big reasons I decided to start in on the Tri thing! I hope to keep passing the same attitude on too.

not to stray too far away from the thread topic....

but does anyone have any opinions about this comradarie and athlete friendliness? is it specific to tri-athletes or has anyone had worse experiences in meeting athletes of other sports? Just curious to see how universal the attitude is..

The Pics are great. Thanks for sharing.

RedBull,

I think the helpfulness and friendliness is more common in the endurance athletic events than in others. I've done all kinds of athletic stuff in my life, including track (sprinter), distance running, hockey, competitive skiing, football, basketball and baseball. And in my experience, and watching my son also in cross country/track, it seems that the distance/endurance athletes are far more friendly with each other than in other sports. Maybe because it's as much a competition with themselves as with the others. I don't know. Any other thoughts?

Edited by Flyboy 2004-05-23 10:59 PM

In my experience it seems that the sports where the athletes are alone they seem to be giving with info. and encouragement.

I was in motor sports before getting into tri, I feel it is similar. People will help you out in the pits but at race time it is business.

I am a little like that, with the exception of thanking the volunteers as well as giving encouragement to my competitors on race day.

I guess it is not all that similar after all

I do love that aspect of our sport.

It is not uncommon to see the elite of our sport hanging out when the last competitor comes across the line.

Cool.

I remember reading a article written by Scott Tinley I think, anyway he was at Kona for the anniversary of the Ironman and I am paraphrasing but he said about hanging out at Kona as a spectator he felt like he would like to come back.

Not as a competitor, but as a volunteer not many big dogs would say or do that I think not.

It is something that we all need to keep in our sport anytime we get the chance.

That is my .02 anyway.

Roy

hi royj,

here are the splits for the Columbia triathlon (oly distance); mind you, this race was ALL hills:

1 Reid Peter J 34 Victoria 3 18:13 3 1:23 3 1:01:37 24.7 2 1:21:12 4 0:38 1 35:01 5:38 1:56:50
2 Cooke Matthew 24 Washington DC 5 19:01 1 1:12 2 1:01:00 25.0 1 1:21:12 1 0:28 5 36:04 5:49 1:57:43

trialover good on you for coimmiting to ironman moo nxt yr way to go!

Remembering back to my HS track days, me and the distance guys were like brothers while everyone else seemed to have all these intensely competitive and vicious relationships with eachother durring practice and compitition...

Maybe we all just get a little lonely on those long runs/bikes or wish we could talk to the person in the lane next to us in the pool but having your head under doesnt work well for conversation....