(he was a triathlete first, but that doesn't matter)

I get the same thing... this weird look from people when I drop the tri bomb. You're very right, doctors and other professionals do seem to take me more seriously if I say something about tris. My employers would be hard pressed to give me a day off to visit family, but to go to a race, no problem. What's up with that?

The thing I have a hard time with is the constant assumption that I am wealthy because I do triathlons. If I go to a bike shop and ask them to do a tune up, fine, if I mention what I ride for they start trying to up-sell.

But I have to tell you all, that in the two years (three seasons) I've been doing this, it wasn't until after IMLP was over, that I felt like a triathlete... that I was really allowed to say it. Weird considering the way that day went.