Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Ironman Access: Special Perk vs Money Grubbing?

In case you hadn't heard, WTC/Ironman has announced their new Ironman Access program - see it here:    


From everything I'm seeing in the triathlon world, the sentiment is a resounding "Are you kidding me?".  Sure, when you own the name and the access, you can charge whatever you want.  But isn't being an Ironman special enough?  Now you want us to buy into the hype with a $1000 ANNUAL FEE for a few things like early registration, a special ID card, and a few VIP passes?  And I still have to pay the full fee for $550 to race?


I know WTC is owned by Providence Equity Corporation, and are a for-profit company.  They took a risk buying the name and rights, and - for the most part - have done a good job promoting the sport in general and their events in particular.  They have raised their profits through strategic partnerships, sponsorships and the like.  I don't deny them the right to a profit, but at what expense?  But with the advent of the 5i50 series, are they diluting the brand?  And with the Ironman Access program, are they going to drive participants to other IM-length but non-IM brand events? I have already heard some grumblings from fellow triathletes that they may walk away from the IM-branded events in favor of other organizers (Rev3 seems to be a popular choice).


As always, time will tell if this is a great idea, or a decision WTC will regret.  As for now (and the foreseeable future), I'll remain a non-VIP, no-access triathlete.



Sunday, October 24, 2010

40 is the new 20...

From the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/fashion/24triathlon.html

It talks about the sport with some interesting statistics.  The ones that struck me most:

Average age:  41  (I'm helping to bring that down.  A little.)
Average Income:  $175,000
Average Ironman Expenditure:  $22,000

But where is this drive to start the sport truly coming from?  An adventure by middle-agers trying to recapture youth in a mid-life crisis?  A chance to reach goals of fitness and weight loss?  Just bored slinging weights in the gym?  An excuse to wear spandex and spends lots of money on toys?   Probably a little different for everyone.  Personally, I was bored at the gym, was running and swimming and decided to take the plunge into triathlon (completed a duathlon years ago).

What about you?  Was it time to conquer another mountain, get into shape, or you just wanted an excuse to wear stretchy clothes and shave your legs?

At the beginning

Have been thinking for a while on how to organize the random thoughts in my mind from my various training  - you know, those thoughts that creep in around mile 11 of that half-marathon, or maybe it's during the main set of your long swim of the week.  I know, I know, I'm supposed to be concentrating on form, pacing and such.  But those thoughts do creep in, and I'll be sharing them here.  Everything from living the Triathlon Life to my thoughts of the latest doping scandal in the world of cycling (isn't there always another one?).  I'll also try to sprinkle in some science of cycling, running and swimming as well as nutrition, not to mention the motivation behind it all.

Hang on and enjoy the ride....