Just wondering if there are any other sporting, overly competitive massochists out there. The kind of nutters who'll get up and do a 10 mile run before work/uni/college, aren't satisfied unless they're completely knackered every day, can't remember the last time they didn't have some kind of injury etc etc. You know who you are.

Here's something that was posted on my club's forum. If there's anyome who appreciates just how incredibly true this is then I hope this makes you smile:

Why Dating a Triathlete is a Bad Idea...

"I am an outdoors type of person." Really means: I train in any type
of weather. If it's raining, snowing, 90 degrees w/100 percent
humidity, or winds gusting at 30 mph. I don't want to hear any
complaints because I will still train in it and you're just a big
wuss for complaining about it.

"I enjoy riding my bike." Really means: with or w/o aero bars, alone
or in a peleton, I don't care. If you can't do a spur of the moment
30 miler then you're not my type. I will let you draft, but if you
can't hang and I drop you - I will see you later. I am a capable
mechanic, but don't expect me to change your flats or tune your
bike. You need to learn that on your own.

"I enjoy jogging." Really means: Let's run hills until we puke. I
have just as many shoes as you only mine are better because they are
functional and all look the same.

"I enjoy dining out." Really means: I enjoy eating out, in or
anywhere else I can find food. Don't be shy because with the amount
of food I eat, you can have that main entree instead of a salad and
you will still look as though you eat like a rabbit in comparison.
Don't get your limbs too close though as I may take a bite out of
you. Most importantly don't expect any taste off my plate unless you
can bring omething to the party like more food. Eventually though if
your not burning 4,000 calories a day your going to plump up and
have a terrible complex due to watching me eat deserts and not gain
any weight. Friends and family will eventually decide not to dine
with us anymore due to my horrid table manners. Oh, and don't ask me
any questions during breakfast, Mid Morning Lunch, Lunch, Afternoon
lunch, dinner or Recovery Dinner as it does not lend to efficient
food intake.

"I enjoy quiet walks on the beach." Really means: Walks on the beach
warming up into an 8 mile run and then plunging myself in the ocean
for a 2 miler. If you get in my way you're going to find out what
mass start is and let me assure you that you don't want to find out.

"I find fulfillment in charitable work." Really means: If I am not
racing, I am volunteering and I expect you to be there along side me
as I stand out in 90 degree weather for 8 hours handing out sports
drink to cyclists going 20 mph. Just stick the ol' arm out there and
hope it doesn't get taken off.

"I enjoy sharing quiet moments together." Really means: It's taper
time. Just back off because I am strategizing and in a pissy mood
because I am worried about my "A" race and can't workout.

"I am an active person." Really means: Aside from my 40 hour job,
and the 8 mandatory hours of sleep a night. 10 hours a week are
devoted to me during the off-season and 20 during race season
leaving us 4 hours. 2 of which are spent inhaling food and you not
talking to me, so let's make the best of the 2 hours we will spend
together on average each day. If you are a licensed message
therapist or doctor this would make the most optimal use of our time
together. Nutritionist is also acceptable, but I probably already
know just as much as you.

"I enjoy road trips and leisurely drives." Really means: You have
your choice of Wisconsin, Idaho, Florida, California, Arizona, and
Canada, but don't expect to do much site seeing. If I get enough
support from you we might be able to include Hawaii in there.

"I enjoy site seeing." Really means: Lets grab a mountain bike and
get our HR's up to 90%. There's plenty of time to look around on the
descent as trees and bushes whiz by you at 40 mph.

"I like stimulating conversation. " Really means: while we are
running, we can talk about food. Then we can talk about how we
decided what to wear on this run based on the temperature at start
time versus the temperature at the time we expect to finish, how
horribly out of shape we are, how many miles we did last week, and
how many we will do this week and next week. Then we can talk about
food.

"I enjoy relaxing soaks in the tub." Really Means: I'm going to stop
on the way home and buy two bags of ice, throw them in the tub with
some water, and sit in this torture chamber for 30 minutes.

"I'm interested in photography" Really Means: My camera is
permanently perched a tripod in front of my trainer. I obsess over
taking photos of my bike position and analyzing them to get the
perfect setup.

"I'm into in technology" Really Means: My HRM and bike computer are
my best friends. Until you can give me some hard data that can
improve my training, don't bother trying to buddy up to me. You
could one day break into the top three if I find you as entertaining
on long runs and rides as my mp3 player. "

 Also are there any loonies planning on an IronMan any time soon...

...and if you want to share recipies / Training ideas & plans etc that would be lovely.

Yada Yada ...Peace.

xxxx