Triathlete Levels: Where do you fit in?

Every aspiring triathlete's goal is to cross the finish line on his/her first race and earn the title "triathlete" and become a member of a group of endurance junkies currently mushrooming in basically all parts of the globe. No matter what the distances are, for as long as its a race involving swimming, cycling and running all in successive green lights, a triathlete will finish.

In the short span of time I have been joining triathlons, I have observed how triathletes in different skill and endurance levels approach races or trainings. Every triathlete is different from one another in some ways, no two are of the same skill and mentality.

There are also stages in a triathlete's life, or journey into the sport. I could say I am probably past the beginner stage but still a long way from being competitive. How about you?

I have broken down these stages in simple layman's language:

1. Triathlete wannabe a.k.a. "Triathlete in Training"

The stage where the interest in joining a triathlon race is steadily peaking. Always surf the net for articles about triathlons, as well as free training programs. Have probably downloaded the sprint, olympic and half ironman training programs from triathlongeek.com. Have gone to Cartimar or Quiapo for his/her roadbike or probably tri-bike. Currently owns an MTB which he/she plans to use on his/her first race and take it from there.

This athlete may also own a high-end tri-bike but hasn't practiced using cleats yet. Or he/she may be a cyclist venturing into triathlon, in which case he/she hasn't got the legs for running yet, or probably still has "hydrophobia" and dreads swimming in deep water.

He/She may probably be a good swimmer with poor bike skills, or a good cyclist with poor swimming skills. He/She huffs and puffs after running for 1 minute and not too sure if he can wear cycling shorts for running.

He tells the world his/her new PRs in training in all three disciplines, even if these are slow compared to others. Every improvement in speed and mileage is reported on his online journal and favorite social networking site.

He/She is bothered whenever asked the question: "are you a triathlete?" and starts looking for answers that will convince the person asking that "hey, I will be in a short while."

If you belong to this stage, just keep on training, we all need to start somewhere.

2. The Beginner

By now, you probably have completed one or even two sprint or olympic distance triathlons. Probably even finished a half-ironman. You are now hooked and eager to race your next. Cost of racing is nothing to you.

"Triathlon is all about finishing"...these phrase goes on and on in your mind. You have felt the pain of joining one, but won't stop. Every race counts and will be good for your resume. Its not about the quality of the race, but the quantity. You want to do more races than the person who started tri-ing the same time you did. You want to be ahead in experience no matter what the cost.

Your mountain bike is not good for your sport, so you seriously consider buying a roadbike...NO, a tri-bike is better, and in all probability, you'd buy one.

You bought a tri-bike which the internet or some smart ass says will fit you perfectly because you're as tall as his friend who has one. You try to squeeze yourself into this bike only to realize 5 rides after that its a teeny weeny bit small for you. You don't trust your own assessment and need others for confirmation.

You are learning the ins and outs of triathlon. You are now friends with other triathletes whom you've raced before. You wake up early to train, but still has a hard time doing so most days.

A noob in the sport: gloves worn during the 1st run of a duathlon, cap instead of visor, knee low resulting to heel strike

You are slowly getting smarter, triathlon-wise and stopped wearing underwear everytime you race. Body glide is your new race best friend.

3. The Intermediate Triathlete

Triathlon is slowly becoming a lifestyle. You ride your bike even without a race.

You wake up at 4:00 a.m. to run or swim in a nearby pool before you report for work. You only join races that matter, so as to save on registration fees and spend the money instead in upgrading your bike, or in purchasing a new pair of shoes, probably Zoot or Newton.

You don't only join races to finish, instead, you want to finish it ahead of the others and your PR. You are more confident now in all the three disciplines of the sport. You may still start at the back of the pack during the swim, but the washing machine is becoming less and less scary.

You now upgrade your bike based on what you need. You have replaced your Vision aerobar with a Profile Design T2 because the latter offers more flexibility on the elbow position. You know what you need based on experience and not by what others say.

If you're the sharing type, this is the point where you mentor others without knowing it. You share experiences and try to let others learn from it. You are confident in sharing because these are all based on experiences, not books or the internet.

4. The Competitive Triathlete

"I'll start from the leftmost and slowly work myself at the turn around to be ahead".

You draft strategies days before the race and execute these almost perfectly. You are oozing with confidence in all facets of the sport. You need to be in the top 10% of your age group, otherwise, its a bad race. You are a lot stronger now, physically and mentally. You don't get intimidated like before. You have fire in your eyes at the starting line.

You study the splits of your nearest competitor, time-wise, and try to look for weaknesses which you can exploit. You are the wolf who pounces on victims when they least expect it.

Others look up to you. You are a hunter, as well as a target.

A newbie and a very competitive triathlete. Javy's bike seem to be a perfect fit for him while mine looks small for me.

Your position in the bike is more aggressive now. Little adjustments mean a lot...you know that now.

You can dig deeper on crucial moments. You are a machine, a well-oiled machine.

5. Elite/ Professional

You live the sport 24/7. Your life revolves around swimming, running and cycling. Your body is striped due to training, and sunburns keep peeling off dead skin, but its all part of the sport.

You are approached by sponsors and look for sponsors as well. That's your source of income.

It is better for you to DNF rather than be beaten by an age-grouper. You'd rather be dead than get caught walking the marathon.

You wear your cycling shoes once you mount your bike and take it off before dismounting. You practice this for faster transition times.

Every second counts. You may have lost the previous race by a mere 2 seconds.

We all start slow and end up stronger every race. No matter what the manner of finishing is, it helps us improve on the next race.

We start as wanna-be's and most peak at intermediate, sometimes competitive.

Where do you fit in?