"Triathlon is the new golf." It's one of the most recent quotes highlighted from 2010 to demonstrate the sport's explosive growth over the last five years. But that's where the metaphor ends. Triathlon is a lifestyle, not just a sport. And behind the ridiculous price-tag of entry, lies a warm, welcoming and insane group of people.
If you are considering participating in multisport in 2011, there are a few things you should know. If you know a triathlete, or are a triathlete, you also know this list could be twice its length:
1. Training for a triathlon: Commitment and consistency -- two words that are critical for success in any sport. Only in triathlon, triathletes will find more ways to squeeze time out of their day so they can rival the amount of time a pro spends in the saddle.
2. Strength training for a triathlon: No stone goes unturned here. It's the lazy triathlete who thinks your feet can't, or shouldn't, get any stronger. Shame on you.
3. Nutrition for triathlon: Protein-to-carbohydrate ratios, gels, powders, bars and portion-sizes govern the eating habits of triathletes. One thing is for sure -- they are always fueling.
4. Apparel for triathletes: Think lycra, spandex and lots of Vaseline. The fashion industry has steered clear of triathlon.
5. Gear for triathletes: This is the only area where you'd think golfers might come close to matching triathlon in its requirements to participate. But you'd be wrong. The kicker? Triathletes will spend $2,500 just loading up on the most basic gear to get started, not including their fancy gadgets or race entry fees. And then they'll rebuy 2/3 of that gear three more times in the same year. And repeat that again year after year. Uh, third mortgage anyone?
6. Pain threshold for triathletes: We'll just quote Amber Monforte, after she finished her record breaking performance at Ultraman Hawaii (a 6.2 m swim/261.4 m bike/54 m run): "My right shin felt like someone had placed a knife in it and every time it touched ground, they turned it." Enough said.
7. Girls racing the boys -- getting "chicked": Triathlon's phenom, Chrissie Wellington, a three-time World Ironman Champion and dual irondistance record holder, has made this practice a regular part of her racing. In winning and taking second overall in one of the most grueling triathlons in the world, the Alp D'Huez (a favorite of hers, to boot), she also recorded the fastest bike split on the course -- on a mountain climb notorious for being the most difficult in the Tour de France. Women athletes, pro or not, are lessening the male-female gap, and Chrissie and other top women competitors know it.
Does Phil Mickelsen ever get "chicked" on the golf course? I don't know, really. But when was the last time a pro golf tournament even gave the women a chance to "chick" the boys -- repeatedly?
Warning: Check with your wife/husband/partner, kids, dog, doctor, boss, colleagues and current friends before signing up for your first triathlon. You are embarking on the journey of a lifetime that, even in the name of good health, will redefine the meaning of family vacation, post-work happy hour and date night.
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