I just picked up the March edition of your magazine (Triathlete Magazine) and read the article by Dave Wallach (“Light Read,” March 2007.)  First of all Mr. Wallach, you are not an Ironman.  There is only one real Ironman race, and that is on Kona.  The WTC may have partnerships all over the world and license out the Ironman name to all different races, and these races may be very challenging and well run, but they are not the Ironman.  They don’t have the lava fields, winds, the Energy Lab and other things that make the Ironman the Ironman.

What do you think?  Let us know your opinion in our Forum or by sending us your letters.  Here’s a few.

 

Unfortunately, I feel compelled to respond to Charlie Yu's "Letter to the Editor" in your June 2007 edition. I would rather not engage in such goofiness but as I read his letter, I couldn't help wondering it Mr. Yu was serious when he wrote that all Ironman races outside of Kona weren't really Ironman races at all and that those who have had the honor of crossing the finish line in those races and who had the audacity to memorialize their own personal accomplishment by getting an M-Dot tatoo really are "insulting to [him] and everyone else that has completed the Ironman (in Kona)".  As an accomplished triathlete (a fact he clearly needed all to know), he must have done a marathon or two in his career and, I'm sure, is an accomplished marathoner as well.  Or is he???  Did he actually run from Marathon to Greece as the first "marathoner" did?  Oops, maybe not!  Sorry, Mr. Yu, I've seen a marathoner and you're no marathoner.  In fact, judging by the elitist tone of your letter, you're really not what I would perceive an Ironman is, either.  Good luck continuing to train alone, my friend. 

Ted

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Charlie feels you don't deserve to call yourself an Ironman Unless you finished Kona--like he did. Never mind the countless hours, sweat and tears and the heart that it takes to finish a 140.6 mile race elsewhere.  He is right however when he says "the Ironman is not just about completing a 140.6 mile race", referring to the races in Canada, Wisconsin, Arizona, etc...

To me an Ironman finisher should be inspiring! One who can inspire others to rise above and be a motivator to achieve. The Ironman finisher should be a "cheerleader" for the newbie out there. Stand up and shout "you can do it" and be a voice of hope.

The triathlon community is about sharing and camaraderie and when you achieve the ultimate distance and title of Ironman you should ACT like one not just pat yourself on the back like you have done Charlie.

Just because you ran an Ironman in Kona doesn't give you the right to diminish someone else's accomplishments. Everyone is  entitled to their opinion but don't say it's an insult to everyone who has run "The" Ironman. Your in the minority. You should start ACTing like one.

For anyone who is training for an Ironman, no matter where it maybe, keep going strong in body and heart and once you cross that finish line hold your head up high, call your self an Ironman and get yourself a M-Dot if you like too--no one can take away what you accomplished. But then go forward to inspire others--that's what it's all about. Not to demoralize other's achievements. Shame on you Charlie.

Scott

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Mr. Charlie's email is obviously laughable not only to those of us that have also earned our m-dots but to our friends and family that recognize the immense accomplishment and to the many that strive to earn such a high degree. One of my wonderful friends who is a training partner and herself an m-dotter stated, “…his attitude doesn’t reflect the spirit of the race. Any race of 140.6 is an accomplishment, and for those who complete it, they should serve as shining advocates of inspiration and encouragement.  So WHAT if he races awesome times…”. And it’s true. But I am heartened by the knowledge that I rarely run into this type of arrogance in a sport that could very well generate the characteristic. 99% of the time the people I have met have been supportive, encouraging, and love to celebrate even the smallest accomplishments. Perhaps Charlie should slow down and get some perspective from everyone else (!) around him.

Charlie does not embody the spirit of the event OR the experience and while I would never disqualify his accomplishments the way he seems to think he can others, I cannot help but liken it to being stripped of your badge for dishonorable behavior in many other services/groups. I’ll tell you one thing; I wouldn’t want THIS to be the way I make a name for myself in the triathlon community.

Leah

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I am an even keeled person as you might remember from our days on the Inside Tri team.  However when I read the rebuttal to your column this past month which a reader said you can only get an Mdot tattoo if you race Kona...well it pissed me off.  Not sure of the age or the skill level of that person but honestly they have never opened their eyes to the competitors racing in the IRONMAN events.  Though I go out and try to win every race (on the armature level) and am ranked (at times) as an armature I was pissed. Who is he to say that the persons without a leg or who is battling cancer has not competed the a "true IRONMAN". Hawaii is the goal but not the validation.  The Mdot tattoo is a symbol of a life changing experience and saying it can not validate the person competing without a Kona ticket is ridiculous.

Quick analogy:  Does this mean that an Olympian is not an Olympian unless they compete in Greece with leaves strategically placed...or fight to the death (whichever version of the 1st Olympics you prefer).

I for one have never placed high enough for a spot in Kona but do hope to someday.  However the way that the reader/responder tore down everyone who has competed an IRONMAN (yes qualifier for the big Kahuna) was unjust.

Thanks for fighting for the people who make this sport great...the everyday hero who trains like hell on the weekends before they cut the grass and feed the kids. These folks my friend are true IRONMEN and if the reader was to get off of their soap box and watch this event just before the 16th hour they would realize that the athletes completing this event are worthy of said tattoo.

Matthew

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