{"id":466,"date":"2012-01-04T20:27:26","date_gmt":"2012-01-04T20:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sherryumlah.com\/home\/?p=466"},"modified":"2018-12-07T15:12:08","modified_gmt":"2018-12-07T15:12:08","slug":"risk-versus-reward-the-triathletes-journey-of-self-empowerment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/sherryumlah.com\/home\/risk-versus-reward-the-triathletes-journey-of-self-empowerment\/","title":{"rendered":"Risk Versus Reward: The Triathlete\u2019s Journey of Self-Empowerment"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Sherry Umlah<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Warning: may cause \u201c[\u2026] 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.\u201d (Dallam 144)\u00a0 What activity comes with this lengthy list of warnings and why would anyone choose to put one\u2019s self at risk to participate?\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Similar to a successful businessman, the tenacious triathlete accepts the adversities that come with his culture \u2013 ultimately pushing both mind and body to their limits \u2013 in exchange for the feeling of self-empowerment.<\/p>\n

The sub-cultures of successful businessmen and triathletes possess many similarities when examining the mindset of their members. \u201c[Triathletes] tend to be type A personalities who are willing to work hard to accomplish their goals.\u201d (Nardella) They also share a desire to take charge of their life and bring about change \u2013 even in the face of adversity.\u00a0 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\u2019s own limits.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt drives you to be better than you were yesterday,\u201d Ironman Eric D\u2019Arcy believes.
\n\u201cIt’s all about pushing your body’s limits and seeing how much you can accomplish. [\u2026] Finishing is pure pride!\u201d affirms Olympic distance triathlete, Sandy Sethi.<\/p>\n

Despite the adverse risks, the challenge of training for and completing a triathlon is worth the empowerment gained through finishing what one starts.<\/p>\n

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. [\u2026] \u00a0I do not look at pain as a bad thing.\u00a0The tricky question is: How much is too much?\u00a0 [\u2026] I do believe risk is mitigated with knowledge. (James Umlah)<\/p>\n

Knowledge not only mitigates risk, it also provides the understanding necessary for the sub-culture of triathletes to gain mainstream acceptance. \u201cMass media in the early 1980s framed the sport of triathlon as a kind of freak show.\u201d (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:<\/p>\n

[\u2026] 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)<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 This strenuous activity takes its toll and, more often than not, the desire to continuously push and test one\u2019s own limits results in actually reaching the limit through injury and ending one\u2019s membership within this sub-culture.<\/p>\n

Three and a half years ago I had hip surgery.\u00a0 My hip was damaged from long-term abuse.\u00a0 It was a career-ending process and my hip worsened even after I left the sport.\u00a0 I had to make the decision between fitness and health. [\u2026] More people than we realize have to make that decision. (Tinley)<\/p>\n

Ironman Hall of Famer, Scott Tinley, now possesses a Ph.D. in Cultural Studies and teaches in California.\u00a0 Unlike many triathletes, he made the choice to leave the sub-culture and turned down coaching and consulting opportunities because he didn\u2019t want his whole life to be about one particular avenue.\u00a0 \u201cFor a lot of triathletes, that identity shift is challenging and takes a long time,\u201d Tinley noted.<\/p>\n

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:<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been injured for 16 months.\u00a0 Surgery is next month.\u00a0 I hope to be able to resume the activities I love. [\u2026] 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.\u00a0 (Sitki)<\/p>\n

Irony lies in the fact that the triathlete\u2019s driving force to push and test his own limits is the key to his acceptance in this culture, yet it\u2019s often ultimately responsible for the injuries that make it impossible for him to continue to participate.\u00a0 The very factor that allowed him to be a part of this group, leads to his exodus and isolation.\u00a0 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?<\/p>\n

Unlike a successful business owner, who has tangible rewards to show in the form of assets and revenue, the triathlete\u2019s rewards for finishing are just as intrinsic as the factors that motivated him to start:<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m thrilled that I am\u00a0able to do all of these things I never dreamed I’d be able to do! \u00a0It’s empowering and makes me shine.\u201d (Sitki)
\n\u201c[It] is a way for me to practice the mental skills required to manage adversity and challenge. It is much more mental than physical.\u201d (James Umlah)
\n\u201cThis is a journey for me to improve overall fitness, life quality, and my relationship with my dad, who is also into the sport.\u201d (Justin Umlah)
\n\u201cIt\u2019s the ability to say, \u2018Wow, I did it!\u2019\u201d (D\u2019Arcy)<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 They sacrifice a social life outside of this sub-culture, as they make time for training.\u00a0 Darren De Reuck, of Boulder Coaching, explains: \u201c[Most triathletes] partake in master\u2019s swim at least two to three times a week, group long rides twice a week, group runs twice a week, and workouts.\u201d \u00a0They spend thousands of dollars on equipment, nutritional supplements, and travel expenses to participate.\u00a0 The sweat equity invested comes in more forms than the water and chlorides they expend from their pores.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Yet the reward of self-empowerment is worth all of this investment \u2013 even the pain and injuries.<\/p>\n

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:<\/p>\n

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. [\u2026] I do not want to live a life anything less than I am capable of \u2013 not even a little less.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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\u2019s journey comprises a life worth living: a life worth risking injury and making hard sacrifices for the reward of knowing and meeting one\u2019s own potential and never settling to be anything less.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Works Cited<\/strong>
\nD\u2019Arcy, Eric. Personal Interview. 30 June 2012.<\/p>\n

Dallam, George M., Steven Jonas, and Thomas K. Miller.\u00a0 \u201cMedical Considerations in Triathlon Competition.\u201d Sports Medicine<\/em> 35(2) (2005): 143-161. Print.<\/p>\n

De Reuck, Darren.\u00a0 Personal Interview.\u00a0 2 July 2012.<\/p>\n

Nardella, Ang. Personal Interview. 30 June 2012.<\/p>\n

Sethi, Sandy. Personal Interview. 27 June 2012.<\/p>\n

Sitki, Sue. Personal Interview.\u00a0 28 June 2012.<\/p>\n

Tinley, Scott. Personal Interview. 2 July 2012.<\/p>\n

Umlah, James.\u00a0 Personal Interview.\u00a0 1 July 2012.<\/p>\n

Umlah, Justin.\u00a0 Personal Interview. 27 June 2012.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Sherry Umlah Warning: may cause \u201c[\u2026] 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.\u201d (Dallam 144)\u00a0 What activity comes with this lengthy list of warnings and why would anyone choose […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[75],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/sherryumlah.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/466","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/sherryumlah.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/sherryumlah.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/sherryumlah.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/sherryumlah.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=466"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/sherryumlah.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/466\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":467,"href":"http:\/\/sherryumlah.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/466\/revisions\/467"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/sherryumlah.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=466"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/sherryumlah.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=466"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/sherryumlah.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}