By now everyone has seen the Wall Street Journal post about the guy who doesn’t understand running and thinks all runners are just a bunch of bragasauras rexes. Personally, I think Chad has some great points. And something to add.. he thinks runners are annoying, he has NO idea. Wait till he gets some triathletes in town! Here are some of the ideas in his article and relevant quotes, followed by a triathlete’s perspective.

1.  Those car stickers are really annoying

“There is one kind of bumper sticker I see almost daily here in my small Midwestern town: a small oval printed with “26.2” or “13.1.” 

“…There is only one reason running aficionados display the stickers. They want the rest of us to know about their long-distance feats. So let me be the first to offer my hearty congratulations. “

Dude has a point. It is a little annoying. Although some of the tongue in cheek run distance stickers are kinda funny. At least that’s what I thought. Until John suggested ATC stickers that were customized with triathlon race distances. WHATT !! How awesome is that? Order me enough so that I can put a continuous line of stickers lengthwise around the car! Thanks. So the point is everyone just needs a sticker that speaks to them and they will ‘get’ it. Perhaps Chad needs a sticker tailored more to his interests and hobbies. Here are some ideas..

2. There is a lot of bragging that takes place, and it’s annoying

“I’d even offer to give them a pat on the back—once they’re done doing it themselves.”

“What’s with this infatuation with running and the near-mandatory ritual of preening about it?”

Yes. You have a point. But that’s all part of the fun.  Speaking of pat on the back.  Obviously this guy isn’t really online… on facebook or Strava or anything. Or at least he doesn’t have any triathlon or runner fb friends. If he did he’d be Really annoyed all the time. He might even be able to identify and classify different types of facebook training posts. ” Remain in ignorance, disgruntled one!

3.  All that gear cannot be necessary

“Or these runners, when they’re not running, can go shopping—at a running store. There’s one such store less than 15 miles, or better said, just a bit over a half-marathon, from my house. It sells only running equipment and apparel. The store has been in business several years, so apparently it is making money.

This “equipment,” of course, is nothing but shoes and clothes. You can buy these same shoes at a sporting-goods store or online, probably for much less.”

Just wait. You haven’t seen anything yet. You can’t even imagine all the different equipment you will grow to ‘need’ once you start triathlon. And all the great offerings of the stores that will cater to you. Look, you don’t even realize the perils of buying shoes at a regular sporting goods store yet (Without a gait analysis?!),  so how can you possibly be expected to understand?

4.  No one knows why they put themselves through the punishment

“A few days ago, one of these running friends said, after describing a recent run: “Why do I keep doing this?” I have no idea.”

He said that because that’s what everyone says about everything they do. Also, he may have wanted you to stop talking.

Anyways, that’s what the regulars at the dive bar six shots in are also saying to one another.  Screw saying it about a run. With triathlon you can up the ante. And doing a long distance triathlon can give you status update potential for life! Triple everything.. the photos, training posts, the street cred.

5.  People even brag with their clothes

You can spot them, wandering through the mall or killing time at Starbucks,  proudly wearing their “[Fill in the blank] 5K Run” T-shirts. 

Speaking of which have you ever been to a half marathon? The most popular item of clothing at a half marathon is a shirt showing it’s wearer has run a marathon. Same thing at a half ironman. Everyone wears their latest full IRONMAN gear… AND shows off their tattoos. Bragging edge= triathlon

6. The Summary

“People want attention and crave appreciation. If you’re actually doing something like running—covering ground, staying healthy, almost even having fun—what better way to fulfill the look-at-me desire? The lone runner is a one-person parade. Yay.”

My take- bragging about doing something > bragging about  doing nothing.  If you can’t beat’em, join’em! I’d like to invite Mr. Chad Stafko to run.. or bike and swim with us anytime. If nothing else, it’s fodder for your next article!