What I mean by 'marginal'

Like all good wannabe triathletes, I subscribe to a major magazine dedicated to the sport. I also frequent several online forums, blogs and shopping sites for triathletes.

In my opinion, there is one audience that is largely neglected by all of these sources; the marginal triathletes. The men and women like you and me who aren't obsessed with shaving another 30 seconds off their transitions or upgrading their water-bottles because there is a new model that is two ounces lighter.

Don't get me wrong. Going fast is one of the greatest feelings in the world. And the hi-tech gear of triathlon is the coolest around. But we have lives! Husbands, wives, children, jobs, responsibilities in our churches and communities! People and things we cherish. And when we aren't wearing our shiny tight suits with padding in the backside we're ok without constantly plotting when our next workout will be or what sports gel we'll be testing out.

Sure, these big magazines and websites pay lip service to us marginal triathletes. There is always the annual 'beginners guide' and articles for the novice, but the assumption is always that you must want to become an uber-swim-bike-runner, otherwise you wouldn't do it at all.

But if you are ok with the fact that you'll never be on the podium in a big race yet you still want to enjoy this fantastic sport for the long haul, this blog is for you.

And when I say I am a marginal triathlete, I don't mean I won't be training hard and sprinting for the finish line in every race. I just mean that once the workout or race is over, I've got a lot more going for me.