ITU Washington 2009 - some opinions
June 25th, 2009 by Gavin
“The race is like a bull fight. There are two ways to kill a bull for instance. There is the easy way for one. But all great Matadors end up dead or mauled becuase for them killing the bull is not nearly as important as how they kill the bull. They always approach the bull with the greatest risk to themselves, and I admire that. In the race, likewise, there are two ways to win. There is the easy way if all you care about is winning. You hang back and risk nothing. Then kick and try and nip the leaders at the end. Or you can push, challenge the others, make it an exciting race, risking everything. Maybe you lose, but as for me, I’d rather run a gutsy race, pushing all the way and lose, than run a conservative, easy race only for a win”
Alberto Salazar 1981
It looks like Elite men’s triathlon is changing. Now almost everyone is capable of swimming in the first pack. However
once the swim is over there are a few “Matadors” who are not content in hanging around. They are risking and winning (1 guy in particular is doing it best ). The big guns are now realising this and it is weighing on their minds - this is why ITU racing is evolving -
The race in Washington also provoked this reaction where the author is proposing that this new style of ITU racing / World Series package is the way forward - in contrast to Ironman racing where the fields are small and generally weak - “professional Ironman racing is dying”.
I thought it was an interesting view point and I know some of you will not agree with it !! but I love a bit of banter with the Ironmen ! Like the barbeque I was once at in New Zeland with a bunch of German Ironmen
“how fa did you ITU guys ride today, I sink we saw you on the road”
“4 hours” I replied
“Ah yes, we rode 4 hours . . . . and zen we turned around”
In hindsight the banter was really poor and I apologise for telling you that story . . . .
IN OTHER NEWS:
Some French dude just broke the world record for cycling for 24hours non stop - 839 kms ! - thats nearly 35km per hour. I trust he had a comfy saddle, a couple of Jelly Babies and the black doctor helped him out on numerous occasions.
On triathlon team 25 years of Ghostbusters was celebrated . . . !?
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(some day my legs will really be that tanned and ripped !?)
2 Responses to “ITU Washington 2009 - some opinions”
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June 26th, 2009 at 12:34 am
Mr salazar has it spot on!! There is a refreshing thing happening just now and it’s good to see. Check out theodore roosevelt man in the arena speech http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/life/quotes.htm
I know gav like his quotes and this one is good. Don’t just watch brownlee et al - emmulate him - from dawn till dusk 247365. The real deal. Gotta think that there might be similar in the womens racing with moffat??
These last few races on ITU are great
June 26th, 2009 at 9:27 am
I love a bit of Thoedore !!
‘Man in the Arena” is my favourite, i had it on my wall for a while . . . I must bring it back
hope alls well JD