Let's Talk Triathlon

The triathlon season is winding down.  Over the last month we've seen our sponsored athletes and MB Friends compete in some of the toughest and well respected tri's out there. 

MB Tester Anthony Cece competed along with Team MB's Linda Gallo in the coveted Ironman Hawaii (Kona).  We'll have their race reports and links to activities next week.  For now, I can tell you that Anthony had an amazing experience and Linda KILLED the swim. 

Ironman Florida was held on 3 November.  That's where Garmin sponsored athlete Chris Giordanelli made the ultimate sacrifice.  Witnessing gross misconduct during the bike portion (drafting is illegal in Ironman), Chris took himself out of the race.  It's always difficult to drop out of a competition, especially so when you're in top shape and ready to race.  But Chris definitely took the high road when others looked the other way.

Tomorrow's San Francisco Triathlon at Treasure Island calls the season to a close.  Two of our MotionBased/Garmin sponsored athletes will, hopefully, toe the line tomorrow.  I say "hopefully" not because these athletes are injured, or lost their bikes, or missed a flight . . . .  In case you've not heard, there was an oil spill in the SF Bay on Wednesday.  The spill could wipe out the swim portion of the triathlon, perhaps rendering it a duathlon.  We won't know until tomorrow.  No matter the outcome of the swim portion, we'd like to draw your attention to our sponsored athletes competing in the season closer.  Jenna Shoemaker is an up and coming young pro.  A former Harvard swimmer, she's been making great progress in the world of triathlon.  And what local event would be complete without our own local girl, Linda Gallo?  The ladies take off at 12:05, and will soak in some of the best views in the Bay Area.  MotionBased is still the proud map sponsor for the SF Triathlon at Treasure Island.  Check out the Viewports of the Bike and Run:

Comments

[rex]

chris, i fully understand and feel your pain regarding your race in florida (after reading your race report). when i raced last year at placid i had my wallet and cell phone stolen out of my transition bag in the athlete's area. these things taint the sport and our experiences. BUT triathlon is still a great sport!

regardless, i don't understand why you quit. triathlon is an individual sport. i've seen those guys (and gals) out there and feel the same way you do, disgusted. but i don't let it ruin my day. i focus on what i came there to do, which is to race and finish. (i've DNF'd one race in my life and it was because i was physically unable to finish).

i know it's easier to point a finger and say 'i wouldn't do it that way,' but c'mon and suck it up. go ahead and write the letters, talk to the right people and raise hell, but finish the race. you have an opportunity to do something that many of us dream about...going fast and getting sponsors. even though what you witnessed was atrocious, there were also a lot of people out there like you who didn't cheat. what does quitting say to those people? be a role model, do it the right way and others will follow you.
rex i.

[dave]

Chris, I recently completed Ironman Florida and saw plenty of folks flagged for drafting. By definition, if you factually observed drafting, you were drafting since you would not have completed your pass in the necessary time. Realistically, few of us will buy that you made the "ultimate sacrifice" and that you were somehow disadvantaged in the race if you turned in a bike leg within two minutes of the eventual winner.

An Ironman is about physical and mental toughness to get through the day. You failed yourself by giving up, no one failed you. The race has wonderful volunteers and leadership. I for one lost 55 minutes to a flat tire which the volunteer bike technician just struggled to get changed. Rather than complain, I hugged her, thanked her for all her help, and went on to finish.

My college coach always said "you're only as good as your last race". Using that test, you DNF'd and the 3,500 volunteers at IMF were as good as always. Hopefully they'll continue to show up to make the experience wonderful for the rest of us despite the toxic criticisms of a few.