Guest commentary .... An apology from a triathlete
POSTED: July 18, 2009
Dear residents of the Lake Placid Region — my name is Patrick McCrann, and I am a triathlete. I am writing this letter to the Lake Placid News because I want to apologize for the behavior of my fellow triathletes and hopefully set things right, both for race day and in the future.
Over the past eight years, I have either organized or participated in a training camp based in Lake Placid. In five of those years I have also raced Ironman USA and have been fortunate enough to qualify for Hawaii on two occasions. Some of my lifetime best memories of swimming, biking and running are tied to the Lake Placid region.
In June of 2009, I returned to Lake Placid for a training camp. We showed up mid-week, so the triathlete presence was pretty light. But by Friday the town — and race course — were saturated with triathletes. While I love my sport, I was simply appalled by what I saw:
¯Three or four people running side by side on a major road, not moving out of the way of cars.
¯Packs of bikers taking up entire lanes of traffic, cutting off cars and motorbikes.
¯Athletes descending en masse on tiny restaurants and cafes in sweaty spandex.
I saw angry drivers, tired townspeopl and way too much nutrition trash on the roads. But I don’t need to tell you this; you see it every weekend. I do feel a need to tell you that we, as a triathlon community, agree with you — this type of behavior is unacceptable. That same person who blocks a lane of traffic or litters on your front yard wouldn’t dream of behaving that way at home.
Like any group of people who go on vacation, triathletes are excited to train in new places. It means new roads, new scenery, new challenges, new memories. But being in a new place is no excuse to forget the common courtesies and training rules that we follow at home. Sometimes all it takes is one bad apple and they have ruined things for everyone else.
I am also writing to ask that you please give us the benefit of the doubt. I have been a triathlete for well over 10 years because of the amazing people I have met — and continue to meet — through the sport. We can all make mistakes, and 9 times out of 10 all it takes is a quick word or tap of your horn to set things right; there is no excuse for aggressive or dangerous behavior.
I have posted an open letter to the triathlon community on my Web site, asking them to be courteous, respectful and safe. This year, on race weekend in July, I plan to do my part by thanking the local folks who make Ironman happen and urging participants to be respectful at my pre-race meeting. As guests first, triathletes second, we need to remember that this is much more than just a one-day event; for many of you in the Lake Placid region it means months of training camps and triathletes on the roads.
Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your support over the last decade. As triathletes we know we can do better and we are going to do our best to earn your respect and hospitality.
See you in July.
Patrick McCrann is a triathlete, coach,
5-time Ironman USA finisher and huge fan of the Lake Placid region
Member Comments
View Comments: | 1-6 | Post a comment
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beads1985
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07-31-09 1:51 PM
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It is sad that there was a reason to write an apology letter. I am a triathlete and I have family that has a house in Lake Placid, and I have spent time in the area in other times of the year. Unfortunately it is not just the triathletes that are the only contributors to these problems. As previously posted it is many groups that are visiting, and of those it is just a few disrespectful people. I spent over 12 hours on race day this past weekend volunteering to assist the triathletes on course. Most of that time I spent walking back and forth beyond our aide station cleaning up trash with other volunteers. I can speak for over a hundred volunteers at our aide station that we respected the area we were in by cleaning up after ourselves and others. Some of us did this so we could have the privilege of competing in the event next year.
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infocarrier1
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07-25-09 8:53 AM
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What ? Whining about behavior of the athletes who Lake Pllacid works so hard to attract. The fact is that rowdy behavior of visiting athletes, including Olympians, is the norm. Lake Placid has lots of experience covering up and excusing misbehavior of athletes. Don't feel guilty triathletes.
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Connors
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07-23-09 9:08 AM
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Patrick - thank you for your kind apology for your collegues. However, I still plan to pelt you with a number of condiments come race day. Please remember to duck and bring some moist towelettes. Best of luck.
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SeeDickRun
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07-22-09 5:29 AM
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This debate seems to happen where ever triathletes come into contact with the real world. Here in my hometown of Ottawa the same thing happens every summer. Many of my triathlete peers live in a bubble of affluence, privilege and entitlement that is inexcusable. I have met many wonder people through triahtlon, I hope that the town's people of Lake Placid try to look for them and ignore the others. Thank you for letting me enjoy your town and country.
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placidgirl
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07-18-09 3:39 PM
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I know not all of the IRONMAN athletes are jerks as i have met many that were full of thank yous and compliments BUT i have over the past couple of years seen the athletes getting more and more arrogant and disrespectful towards the locals.Dropping your trash all over the place and being rude is unnecessary behavior,remember the local volunteers make IRONMAN happen.The enrollment fees would skyrocket if your poor attitudes made paying people to do the jobs volunteers performed necessary.ANYHOO this letter is very nice and i hope more athletes read it and take it to heart:)
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Adirondackette
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07-18-09 1:22 PM
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Way to go Patrick! Thank you for your honesty and sincerity. I agree with you; your letter went a long way for this disenchanted local cyclist.
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