A triathlete's seven deadly sins

I saw this article and liked it ant thought everyone else would too. I agree with everything except Greed. Even before I got into triathlon, I had a weird obsession with bikes. I owned 5 at one point but have sold two in garage sales. I now have my road bike, a mountain bike and a tandem bike. The boys and I love the tandem. My husband - not so much. It is huge and takes up tons of space in the garage. But then again so do his snow blowers...don't ask...

A triathlete's seven deadly sins

by Steve Stenzel

Wrath
"Yeah, that guy was drafting you around mile 19 on the bike. I totally saw it too! It was so blatant. What a jerk!" This has happened to all of us. It's infuriating.
Don't go overboard and let it ruin your race. There will always be those people willing to break the rules in order to gain 10 seconds. Do not let them ruin your day. There's nothing you can do about it. Catch them on the run and take slight joy in beating the cheater.

Greed
You only really need 1 good bike. Maybe a spare (or 2). But you don't need a bike for racing, a bike for training, a bike for rainy days, a bike for short rides, a bike for long rides, a bike for time trials, a bike for solo rides, a bike for group rides, etc, etc. Don't be greedy.
Don't go overboard and break the bank just so you'll have the best set of bikes on the block. Or in town. Or in the state. Sure, you'll have the perfect bike for any possible situation or race, but is it worth that second mortgage?

Pride
You're a triathlete, damn it. You should be proud of your hard work and how it's paying off. You have a great body. In a foot race, you'd smoke all of your coworkers, and you know it. You deserve to have a sense of pride. And in the company of the right people in the right conversation, you can brag about your sub-XX:00 10K at the end of your last olympic triathlon or your great average on the bike.
Don't go overboard and tell everyone you meet about how fast you are. They probably don't care. And sooner or later, you'll run into some who's faster. Then, ouch - bruised ego. Don't be a constant bragger. Nobody likes that.

Sloth
You need to rest your body now and then. It is NOT sloth. It is downtime to help your body heal up before testing it again during the next season. Force yourself to do this at times.
Don't go overboard and say "I did a triathlon once. Now I can stop all physical activity, live off McDonalds, and never think about racing again. That is, unless I'm reliving the 'glory days' in my head." Triathlon is a way of life. Unfortunately, so is sloth. Stick with the first one for the long term

Lust
We've all done this: we're getting ready to pass someone of the opposite sex on the run during a triathlon. We notice his/her toned, tanned legs. We might be turned on for a moment. Then we notice the age written his/her calf. "Wow... 57?!... Impressive!"
Don't go overboard: keep your tongue in your mouth. Don't ask for his/her phone number during the race. Be sensible - wait until you've both finished.

Envy
You will never have the best bike in transition. Someone will always have a nicer / faster / sleeker / sexier / better one. It's just the way it is. Drool a little, but then be happy riding your "clunker."
Don't go overboard and think that anyone with a nicer bike than you is a jerk. I know some very nice people who just so happen to own $5,000 bikes. Don't judge them by their bike alone.

Gluttony
When we workout as much as we do in order to be ready for the next event, it's OK to pig-out now and then. Heck, that's the main reason why some of us train (not me, of course...).
Don't go overboard and eat anything immediately after getting home from a long workout. Sure, it "feels so right" at the moment to head for the Oreos, Cheetos, or Junior Mints, but it's better to eat some quality food right away to help replace what's been lost during that workout. Try some Recoverite, Nuun, or even some chocolate milk (a proven recovery drink - really). Save the "shameless pig-out" for later that day...