J. Lo - joins the club

[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.

[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?

[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 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

[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!!

[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.