Triathlon and the Economy May 26, 2008
Posted by anton in : Observations , 1 comment so farOver at Trifuel.com there has been a thread going around about the economy and triathlon expense.
Posted this there and thought I’d drag it over here for posterity sake…
I think that Triathlon is expensive and it’s hard to justify the expense, when so many have so little…
Do all the triathlons you want…but don’t forget and make time to help, those less fortunate.
Just some random thoughts on the subject:
* It’s your money. Spend it on what you want.
* There are millions of people IN THIS COUNTRY who can’t afford the basic necessities.
* If you ignore that fact, and do nothing to help, I feel sorry for you.
* The average household income for triathletes is $120,000.
The median individual income for triathletes is $96,000 .
55% of triathletes have a median income of over $100,000.
( source: Katalist Multisport Management, Ironman Lake Placid 2007 Fact sheet
had similar numbers)
* The average HOUSEHOLD income in the US in 2006 was $46,000 (source: US Census office)
* The average income in Bangaldesh is $1.25 a day. (source: Washington Post)
* While Triathlon can make your life seem worthwhile, so can just plain old running
at a start up cost of less than $150.
* Don’t complain about the cost of triathlon while mom and dad are footing most of your bills.
If you are a single parent with kids you can complain all you want, about anything.
If you’re double income, no kids…no whining.
If your double income with kids and still able to do tri’s…you have a well paying jobs.
* Been using the house as an ATM to afford this sport?…Yikes!
* Triathlon is expensive but a new set of Callaway irons will set you back $1,200, not to mention
the woods, putter, bag, balls and green fees.
* Bring on the $5 a gallon or more gas. That way maybe we’ll get our heads out of our oil
dependant back sides and do something about mass transit, bike lanes and alternative energy.
( yeah, it hits me too, my gasoline bill has tripled in the last year)
* car pool to races.
* Triathlon won’t be cool forever. It will be cheaper when it’s not.
* If people complained about costs instead of just paying up, because “there might be a chance
I’ll go to Kona.” or because you feel some need to be ranked, the big corporate RD’s might
listen…maybe. Don’t know till you try.
* give back to others, always, even in this sport.
* You can get a group of friends together and set up an event and have a great time…for free.
* We are all just a spot of bad luck away from being on the street.
* Triathlon is the Polo of the current era.
Catch UP
Posted by anton in : Training , add a commentMy training of late has not been as focused a it should be…It took quite awhile to get the bottom of my feet back to normal after losing most of the skin to blisters in April (see the previous post). But after a rousing long run yesterday with Scott, down from New Jersey, all seems go.
Plans are to build on biking distance in the next month, finishing a double century in June, July and August. August has me going to N.J. for The Turkey Swamp 50k and at least one 50 miler. First weekend of September is the 24 Hours of Booty (No, not that kind of Booty!) A 24 hour bike ride where I hope to hit 350 miles.It’s a charity ride to raise money for the Livestrong foundation, which helps with quality of life issues for cancer patients.
That will bring me up to the Virginia Double / Triple Ironman weekend the first weekend of October.
The only problem has been the pool…I just have not been motivated to get in the water and swim…but I think I can get past that in the next week or so here… have been doing my pullups and kettlebell workouts to build shoulder and back strength…that will make swimming easier.
For those of you interested, I passed my first Anatomy and Physiology class with an “A”. Part II is this summer.
The school year is winding down and can’t get here soon enough…bring on summer.
