by Sherry Umlah
Warning: may cause “[…] muscle cramping, heat illness, postural hypotension, excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation, musculoskeletal injuries and trauma, gastrointestinal problems as well as post-race bacterial infection, immunosuppression, sympathetic nervous system, and psychological exhaustion, and haemolysis.” (Dallam 144) What activity comes with this lengthy list of warnings and why would anyone choose to put one’s self at risk to participate? The answer lies in a sub-culture of triathletes who embark on a personal journey that is as mentally challenging as it is physically demanding; a journey that extends beyond the distance of any swim, bike, or run.
Similar to a successful businessman, the tenacious triathlete accepts the adversities that come with his culture – ultimately pushing both mind and body to their limits – in exchange for the feeling of self-empowerment.
The sub-cultures of successful businessmen and triathletes possess many similarities when examining the mindset of their members. “[Triathletes] tend to be type A personalities who are willing to work hard to accomplish their goals.” (Nardella) They also share a desire to take charge of their life and bring about change – even in the face of adversity. This is a constant motivating factor that fuels the triathlete: to rule in the mental game of mind over matter and constantly push and test one’s own limits.
“It drives you to be better than you were yesterday,” Ironman Eric D’Arcy believes.
“It’s all about pushing your body’s limits and seeing how much you can accomplish. […] Finishing is pure pride!” affirms Olympic distance triathlete, Sandy Sethi.
Despite the adverse risks, the challenge of training for and completing a triathlon is worth the empowerment gained through finishing what one starts.
The world is full of better starters than finishers and mostly, as a society, when things become difficult we quit. When competing in long distance triathlon, pain is just part of the equation and if I was not prepared to accept pain, then I wouldn’t participate. […] I do not look at pain as a bad thing. The tricky question is: How much is too much? […] I do believe risk is mitigated with knowledge. (James Umlah)
Knowledge not only mitigates risk, it also provides the understanding necessary for the sub-culture of triathletes to gain mainstream acceptance. “Mass media in the early 1980s framed the sport of triathlon as a kind of freak show.” (Tinley) There was a lack of societal understanding regarding the risk of injury versus the reward triathletes gain from completing the event. Today, the sport is more mainstream as we come to understand the factors that motivate participants and learn that risks can be mitigated by accomplishing several things including:
[…] environmental monitoring prior to and during the event; the implementation of a water safety plan; provision of appropriate fluid replacement throughout the course; implementation of helmet use and non-drafting regulations in the cycling leg; and competitor knowledge regarding fluid replacement, biomechanical technique, physical preparation, safe equipment and course familiarity. (Dallam 145)
Taking these steps to mitigate risk certainly makes each triathlon event safer, however, as a member of this hard-working culture, the triathlete still endures hours of wear and tear on the body daily as he continues to train and compete for multiple events. This strenuous activity takes its toll and, more often than not, the desire to continuously push and test one’s own limits results in actually reaching the limit through injury and ending one’s membership within this sub-culture.
Three and a half years ago I had hip surgery. My hip was damaged from long-term abuse. It was a career-ending process and my hip worsened even after I left the sport. I had to make the decision between fitness and health. […] More people than we realize have to make that decision. (Tinley)
Ironman Hall of Famer, Scott Tinley, now possesses a Ph.D. in Cultural Studies and teaches in California. Unlike many triathletes, he made the choice to leave the sub-culture and turned down coaching and consulting opportunities because he didn’t want his whole life to be about one particular avenue. “For a lot of triathletes, that identity shift is challenging and takes a long time,” Tinley noted.
For others, an injury is merely a pause in training, but even a temporary leave of absence from this sub-culture can leave one feeling lonely:
I’ve been injured for 16 months. Surgery is next month. I hope to be able to resume the activities I love. […] It’s been very lonely since I’ve been injured. Everyone else is busy training or racing. Since I can’t, I don’t see any of that crowd unless I’m photographing a race. (Sitki)
Irony lies in the fact that the triathlete’s driving force to push and test his own limits is the key to his acceptance in this culture, yet it’s often ultimately responsible for the injuries that make it impossible for him to continue to participate. The very factor that allowed him to be a part of this group, leads to his exodus and isolation. The triathlete finishes the journey he started when he finally reaches his own limits. So, why join a sub-culture with a membership that will inevitably expire?
Unlike a successful business owner, who has tangible rewards to show in the form of assets and revenue, the triathlete’s rewards for finishing are just as intrinsic as the factors that motivated him to start:
“I’m thrilled that I am able to do all of these things I never dreamed I’d be able to do! It’s empowering and makes me shine.” (Sitki)
“[It] is a way for me to practice the mental skills required to manage adversity and challenge. It is much more mental than physical.” (James Umlah)
“This is a journey for me to improve overall fitness, life quality, and my relationship with my dad, who is also into the sport.” (Justin Umlah)
“It’s the ability to say, ‘Wow, I did it!’” (D’Arcy)
These athletes give it their all and work hard to invest sweat equity in an effort to finish what they start and realize self-empowerment. They sacrifice a social life outside of this sub-culture, as they make time for training. Darren De Reuck, of Boulder Coaching, explains: “[Most triathletes] partake in master’s swim at least two to three times a week, group long rides twice a week, group runs twice a week, and workouts.” They spend thousands of dollars on equipment, nutritional supplements, and travel expenses to participate. The sweat equity invested comes in more forms than the water and chlorides they expend from their pores. There are other costs that not many like to talk about, such as nipple chafing, saddle sores, and the numbing of parts too private to mention. Yet the reward of self-empowerment is worth all of this investment – even the pain and injuries.
Just as risk is weighed against reward by the savvy businessman, the triathlete considers the threat of injury and determines that self-empowerment simply cannot be gained without risk, as James Umlah describes:
Why assume the risk of injury? I believe life should be embraced and lived to the fullest. This means managing risk and reward. It is difficult to get rewards without risk and I mostly assume more risk than others. […] I do not want to live a life anything less than I am capable of – not even a little less.
This sub-culture provides a personal and mental challenge with a reward so empowering and so satisfying to its members, that the worries of health risks are drowned in the cheer of the crowd and the ringing of cowbells that echo throughout the race course. This herd of strong-willed and committed athletes proudly endures the pain and sacrifices associated with their sport, not simply to cross a finish line, but to experience the journey of self-empowerment. The triathlete’s journey comprises a life worth living: a life worth risking injury and making hard sacrifices for the reward of knowing and meeting one’s own potential and never settling to be anything less.
Works Cited
D’Arcy, Eric. Personal Interview. 30 June 2012.
Dallam, George M., Steven Jonas, and Thomas K. Miller. “Medical Considerations in Triathlon Competition.” Sports Medicine 35(2) (2005): 143-161. Print.
De Reuck, Darren. Personal Interview. 2 July 2012.
Nardella, Ang. Personal Interview. 30 June 2012.
Sethi, Sandy. Personal Interview. 27 June 2012.
Sitki, Sue. Personal Interview. 28 June 2012.
Tinley, Scott. Personal Interview. 2 July 2012.
Umlah, James. Personal Interview. 1 July 2012.
Umlah, Justin. Personal Interview. 27 June 2012.