The Useless Noise

Reading about Triathlons and Endurance racing is what I do to relax and learn from others.

It is an obsession. I recently read a blog by  Jenez_world

its all about the swimming the ironman journey - commit, train and pray.

Her last blog was about her x-adventure race. The race in itself and the times and distances are all unimportant.What is  ,is her impressions of some of the competitors and supporters.I have always had a myopic view of triathletes.They are the best people to have around and are positive and supportive. That has been largely my impression. There is a competitive edge as well . It is naturally a sport that attracts competitive people. 

Can you be competitive and still be a generally all round nice guy .i think you can. Unfortunately , my myopic view of life and triathlon is misplaced. There will as this blogger comments , an element of people who are hard core and arrogant .hard to judge when you are not there and definitely cruel to laugh at the slower guy or scream at others to get out of the way , or decide if someone is worth knowing by the quality of their race. 

I know these guys exist and they linger in all clubs and at all events. It is part of the human nature that like a bell curve there will be a few at the extremes. The sport attracts all kinds and I am not as myopic.

In Jenez_world  she blogs:

 they may be a little arrogant and not so friendly.  i think they think they are hard core.  i did not like the competitors who were laughing at the guy doing back stroke in the swim.  i didn't like the guy on the side line who made a crack at me when i came through on the second lap of the bike.  seriously - he was a supporter on the side line doing nothing.  i was not happy with the guy who ran up the back of my bike and tried to take out my derailleur because i didn't get out of the way as soon as he came up behind me.  i called him a wanker and he called me a useless bitch.  nice one dude

Even in club culture when I first became involved in Triathlon there was a sense of the elites amongst the mere mortals and well I don't really care . It pervades all clubs and  in most clubs these days there is a core group that binds because we triathletes do spend a large part of our free time training. What isn't so good is these become cliques and are not welcoming of new members and participants .

A sad reality . I enjoy the sport for what it is . it isn't about what you are wearing or how fast you go or who you are with . It is about training and pushing oneself beyond what was possible before.It is about personal best. There will always be an element of  elitism and a sense I am special because I can do this . The lesson is to try and drown the useless noise and focus on what matters . 

Not always easy . Triathlon may be the new golf with sell out races .But with the popularity comes a sprinkling of wankers in the mix. I just try and stay away from them .