J. Lo - joins the club

[alpinerabbit]

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/lopez%20sets%20her%20sights%20on%20triathlon%20training_1063209

[crazycanuck]

That's sad(ie WHO CARES..!!!!!)...I just wish she would go away. Tri's are for real folk..

UGH..

[Tuckervill]

Sad? Really? I'm surprised.

My opinion is "Who cares?"

Karen

[KnottedYet]

The article refers to a gruelling endurance event. Do you think she's doing a half-iron? Oly?

After my kid was born, I figured I was lucky if I could just get a shower, put on clothes, and eat breakfast before my kid puked on me. The new mom triathlon. Speed, skill, luck, and intense training. See the competitors carry a baby in one arm and a load of laundry in the other! Thrill to the shower-with-your-head-out-talking-to-the-baby technique of the elites! Gaze in awe as the new mom speed-folds 2 loads of diapers before baby tires of his duplo blocks!

[lph]

aaah - well - I'd like to say something supportive and non-judgemental like... "maybe she'll turn up here and ask all you knowledgeable triathletes for sage advice, and end one of us!" ;) .... but I keep thinking it sounds like a slightly desperate idea to set your sights on your first triathlon 6 months after giving birth to twins.

I'm not really that good at being supportive and non-judgemental.

[KSH]

Well, in all fairness... if she came and posted on this message board about being a new Mom and wanting to regain her fitness by signing up and training for a tri... we would all be very supportive.

Yes, she's an actress. Yes, she has nannies and staff to take care of her kids so she can train. Yes, she will have the best of everything... bike... coach... etc.

But she still has to train and finish.

Think about doing your first tri... and what if you were going to have cameras on you... following you the entire time... watching and reporting your every move. How nervous would you be?

Shoot, they would have been reporting on my first race a duathlon like this,

"She's last on the run... she just got passed by a 76 year old he smoked her... the first transition was 7 minutes because she sat down to blow her nose and rest...a 65 year old just smoked her on the bike... WOW! She actually beat 8 people and didn't come in last place." HAHAA!


Otherwise, I think we all have our mind set a bit skewed. To a lot of people, a sprint tri does sound like an grueling endurance event.

We have to remember the "normal folk" out there who never run, never ride bike or swim. And to put all 3 together, sounds very impressive to many.

[Pax]

Good for her! She's been a dancer her whole life so I'm guessing getting back into shape will be something she's quite capable of.

[KnottedYet]

I was not being mean or sarcastic. I honestly wondered what distance she is doing.

I couldn't have done any tri of any distance after giving birth, too busy crying and being puked on. (and you must admit, dealing with new motherhood is damm gruelling!)

[KSH]

I was not being mean or sarcastic. I honestly wondered what distance she is doing.

I couldn't have done any tri of any distance after giving birth, too busy crying and being puked on. (and you must admit, dealing with new motherhood is damm gruelling!)

Motherhood is gruellling... especially if you don't have a nanny, a cook, a maid, a driver, a pool guy, etc.

Let's face it. Jo-Lo is sleeping. She's resting. The nanny can watch the baby while she's training.

She's not like a real mother who is at home alone with the baby.

[Trek420]

Motherhood at any stage is pretty grueling. ;) Good for her. Yes I'm sure she has access and help and bikes that "jest folks" don't. The cameras will be on her and I'm sure she plans to do well.

Hey J. Lo, you'll want to look great and TE has the best Tri gear.

[alpinerabbit]

I sorta put it up there as a newsflash that "somewhere in China a sack of rice fell over" :D:D:D

comeon, she probably started liposucting and personal training as soon as the pups were out.

[VeloVT]

It's not too different from Lance Armstrong running a marathon. Although I personally love to make fun of JLO (I'm not a big fan), my reaction is the same -- all sorts of people got really mad at Lance because it was somehow considered arrogant or entitled or dilletante-ish for him to think he could run in this "serious" event. And of course, we know that he didn't knock himself out training (longest distance was something like 15 miles) and he didn't achieve a knockout time. But how many people do we know who run in marathons and either a) don't have a Spartan training ethic or b) don't finish in the top 20? Probably many if not most of the folks we know who have run a marathon -- and yet we consider it an accomplishment for them, not an arrogant flight of whimsy. Lance should be entitled to the same -- as should JLO, I think.

[Grog]

Good for her, and good for all the people who might be inspired to do the same after seeing her.

I don't understand the not-so-nice comments... :confused: I don't care about J. Lo or celebrities in general, but I don't see the problem with one of them deciding to enter a race........

[lph]

ah, shoot - that's what this forum is good for, makes us rethink once in a while. You're right. I still think it might be a bit ambitious to do this so soon after giving birth (unless this is "just" a short tri), but more power to her for trying.

I just get a bit riled up about the whole female celebrity thing of looking beautiful and skinny and perfect at all times, even immediately after giving birth, when you've just created a small miracle. But getting into good physical shape is never a bad idea.

[kermit]

I am going to take a wait and see attitude. I hope she is willing to work hard with her personal trainer but lets see how committed she really is? The nanny will raise the kids and she will have the most awesome tri bike ever. If she just does it I will respect her more than talking about doing it. I'm such a bi***!

[Trek420]

even immediately after giving birth, when you've just created a small miracle. But getting into good physical shape is never a bad idea.

Didn't she just create TWO small miracles? A tri .... after twins? :eek: Or am I reading the wrong tabloids which is where I get all my news after all :p

J Lo if you're lurking, you go grrl. :cool:

[ehirsch83]

It's not too different from Lance Armstrong running a marathon. Although I personally love to make fun of JLO (I'm not a big fan), my reaction is the same -- all sorts of people got really mad at Lance because it was somehow considered arrogant or entitled or dilletante-ish for him to think he could run in this "serious" event. And of course, we know that he didn't knock himself out training (longest distance was something like 15 miles) and he didn't achieve a knockout time. But how many people do we know who run in marathons and either a) don't have a Spartan training ethic or b) don't finish in the top 20? Probably many if not most of the folks we know who have run a marathon -- and yet we consider it an accomplishment for them, not an arrogant flight of whimsy. Lance should be entitled to the same -- as should JLO, I think.

I'm not a huge fan of Lance, but I have to say that before he was a cyclist he did Tri's. So he used to have a pretty good running background, so I wouldn't exactly compare it to lance completing a marathon. Also remember, he has amazing endurance capabilities from all of his cycling(5+ hour days regularly) so his major issue was muscle use conversion, not aerobic capacity.

So for all those people out there who get mad at him, they need to realize his background.

[SadieKate]

Somehow, I think dancing professionally is a bit more demanding than lying on the couch eating bon-bons. That body may have a lot of curves, but I suspect it hides some muscle and her career shows that she has determination.

And, whoever applied the word "skinny" to her?

As a celebrity whatever she does will be criticized. Let her be.

[redrhodie]

I think it's cool. She's so beloved by a lot of young girls in the Bronx. I hope it inspires some of them to try the sport.

[VeloVT]

I'm not a huge fan of Lance, but I have to say that before he was a cyclist he did Tri's. So he used to have a pretty good running background, so I wouldn't exactly compare it to lance completing a marathon. Also remember, he has amazing endurance capabilities from all of his cycling(5+ hour days regularly) so his major issue was muscle use conversion, not aerobic capacity.

So for all those people out there who get mad at him, they need to realize his background.
Fair enough, but that wasn't really what I was getting at. People who are very serious about their sport sometimes tend to develop an elitist attitude about who should be permitted to compete. Added to this, celebrities tend to have their motives scrutinized more than you or I, which magnifies the elitism. If your fat neighbor decided to run a marathon, you probably wouldn't call him arrogant. If your non-famous, but elite athlete former Olympian cross country skier neighbor decided to run a marathon, you probably wouldn't call him arrogant or what have you either.

As far as Lance is concerned, I guess my point is that I don't think his cycling background (or his triathlon background) is relevant one way or another in whether it's "OK" or "annoying" for him to run in a marathon. Nor is JLO's um, famous booty.

And this has nothing to do with my point, but I seriously doubt his tri background many years ago had much of an impact on his performance -- more likely what gave him a leg up was just conditioning and training adaptations from years of cycling. 3 hours is a good time, but a time that's perfectly achievable for ordinary, non-elite people (my dad, who didn't play any sports in college, ran a 3 hour marathon when I was little). Albeit, most of these would have to train a little harder than Lance allegedly did for the same time. But he also suffered excruciating shin splints and required a cast of pacers from the running hall of fame in order to do it... (and apparently ate Gu something like every two miles :eek:).

[Grog]

Actually, the more I think about this, the cooler I think it is.

There are so few female celebrities that try sports. There are a few well-known female athletes, but female artists who show that it's okay to get sweaty? None that I know of. (But I don't watch TV or read tabloids so don't expect me to know about those things.)

We're not talking about Paris Hilton here. (Although I would cheer for Paris just like I cheer for everyone else.) Artists who sing and dance have to be very fit 'cause it's a lot of hard work.

[SadieKate]

There are so few female celebrities that try sports. There are a few well-known female athletes, but female artists who show that it's okay to get sweaty? None that I know of. (But I don't watch TV or read tabloids so don't expect me to know about those things.) Cheryl Crow?

Geena Davis qualified for the Olympic Trials in Archery.

One of the actresses from Dallas (a TV show from a couple decades back) ran marathons frequently.

Oprah?

I just pick this stuff up from the regular newspapers.

[Grog]

Cheryl Crow?

Geena Davis qualified for the Olympic Trials in Archery.

One of the actresses from Dallas (a TV show from a couple decades back) ran marathons frequently.

Oprah?

I just pick this stuff up from the regular newspapers.

I was also thinking of Oprah but wasn't sure she fit in the "artist" category. Crow and David are great picks. :) J. Lo is probably more popular over all though.

Thanks for coming to the rescue!!

[SadieKate]

I figured by "artist" you were really encompassing celebrity role models -- not that many of them should be role models. I guess I should say "celebrities who are treated as role models whether they are worthy of it or not."

[Possegal]

My brother ran in the Marine Corps that Oprah ran in, it did not make him happy. :) He spent a good 15-18 miles hearing people yell at him "Oprah's in front of you". Of course she started earlier than the gun, I think, but she also had this huge entourage with her that was very difficult to get around. I met up with him several times and at around mile 20 his words were "I finally passed that B's arse". Now please don't yell, he's a lovely man, he was just frustrated and worn out. :) And honestly, it was quite funny when he said it.

[Grog]

"celebrities who are treated as role models whether they are worthy of it or not."

That's really what I had in mind too... The "artist" distinction was not very profound. :)

[NbyNW]

Celebrity-in-the-race dynamic aside, as I understand it J-Lo has a pretty good record of supporting girls' empowerment through sports, physical fitness, etc. I remember reading a few years ago that she sponsors a girls soccer team in the Bronx and she would buy gear and supplies for the whole league, not just her team.

If she manages to inspire some of those girls to take up sports and discover the well-being that comes with getting fit and achieving their goals, then more power to her.

[Kimmyt]

What she said.

I don't necessarily like her music or her acting, but I'm not gonna hold that against her. Plenty of folks who AREN"T celebs get inspired to do tris, why can't she?

Thinking though that maybe in the future we'll see a new designer line of trisuits, complete with bling? :D

[spindizzy]

"I finally passed that B's arse".

Can you imagine running a whole marathon with people telling you that "Oprah is just ahead?" What a motivator!! I find his comment hilarious:D:D:D:D I hope he finsished well.

[firenze11]

I think it's pretty cool that she wants to do a triathlon. It's a great goal for anyone and maybe more people will become aware of the different lengths. I do wonder, though, if she knows that the swim can be chaotic. I don't think I'd want to be in her wave.

That's funny about your brother, Oprah, and the marathon Possegal. At first I'd be curious about her but I'd probably feel the same way by mile 20. I wonder if by mile 20 Oprah was tired of being recognized as Oprah. She couldn't even get away from her own celebrity. It kind of reminds me of the Katie Holmes marathon conspiracies after she finished. No official race pics, the trainer guy with her wearing an old NYC marathon number/bib, etc, etc. Boy am I glad I'm not a celebrity sometimes. I'm glad I won't be watched/scrutinized like that during my first tri!

[Zen]

I'd like to see a marathon just for celebrities :D

[Jones]

Don't forget Diddy. He ran a marathon and his goal was to beat Oprah's time.
I am not a fan of his but "Don't forget Diddy" is fun to say.
Jones

[Tuckervill]

I wonder if by mile 20 Oprah was tired of being recognized as Oprah. She couldn't even get away from her own celebrity. It kind of reminds me of the Katie Holmes marathon conspiracies after she finished. No official race pics, the trainer guy with her wearing an old NYC marathon number/bib, etc, etc. Boy am I glad I'm not a celebrity sometimes. I'm glad I won't be watched/scrutinized like that during my first tri!

More lessons from the Barenaked Ladies:

Celebrity

Don't call me a zero
I'm gonna be a hero
Like Phil Esposito or the Kennedys

I'll be incorporated
And I'll be imitated
And overrated, but that doesn't bother me

All the jaws will drop
And all the girls will scream
And there will be commotion when I show up on the scene

All that you will see is a celebrity [x2]

When I'm riding in my limo
I won't look out the window
Might make me homesick for humanity

There's nowhere that I can't go
And there's nobody I don't know
And there's an emptiness that's eating me

All the clocks will stop
And all the jeans will cream
It has always been my one and only dream

All that's left of me is my celebrity [x2]

Leave your heart
Lay down your art
You're here for the party
Smile and wave
Try to behave
Be happy that they've made you a celebrity

I could disappear into the great unknown
And it would wear my face as if it were its own

And all that you will see is a celebrity
All that's left of me is my celebrity
I will get in first and I will get in free
All that's left of me is my celebrity

[Grog]

I wonder if by mile 20 Oprah was tired of being recognized as Oprah.

I'm sure that, at mile 20, she was just plain tired!!!

Geez, at km 7 of a 8 km run I'm almost embarrassed to be seen by my own husband, with that "I'm gonna die" look on my face and snot running down my shirt!!

[Running Mommy]

I just think it's funny that they consider a triathlon a "grueling endurance event"...
My guess is she'll do a sprint, and I wouldn't call that "grueling" for even the most devoted couch spud..;)

Now if she does one in L.A. w/ an ocean swim then yeah, that can be tough.
I just think it's funny how the media can hype triathlon as some monumental thing. yeah it's not a stroll in the park, but it's not THAT tough.

[kelownagirl]

I'd like to see a marathon just for celebrities :D

+1


But then again, watch out what you wish for. It'll become yet another reality show for has-beens... :rolleyes:

[KnottedYet]

A sprint tri is plenty gruelling enough for me!

I was so proud I survived that I bought myself an "Iron Dog" titanium triathlon bracelet and had my time (2 hrs 15 minutes) engraved on it. (I took almost exactly 3 times as long as the elites, but dammit, I was a triathlete too!)

That bracelet stays on all the time. http://www.irondog.us/

Edit to add: I was kind of thinking Jennifer would be doing something more like an Oly or half iron. She was already in good shape before she had the twins.

[Starfish]

She was already in good shape before she had the twins.

I'm thinking that woman knows a little something about working hard.