Going Pro...

[Jocelyn Wong - "Wongstar"]

if you open up a TBB in Burlington then the world famous Wongstar may come do a training camp there!  I believe that's where they had college road cycling nationals my senior year in college (2003) but I was trying really hard to graduate on time... 

[bryangiggsy]

did u go to st. mikes wongstar?

[Scott DeFillipis - "Scott D"]

Kryn,

It sounds like everyone answered your questions but I thought I would give you my thoughts.  Coming from a running background, I was an elite american, big, big difference between an elite international runner!!!  However because of my results I was always granted entry into races and occationally had my expenses paid to and from races.  There was no going pro, either you were good enough to run with the big boys or you weren't and that was up to the race directors to decide.  Coming into the world of triathlon there is this whole going pro thing, which frankly I find it odd for many of the reasons that everyone has already touched upon.  Now I understand the whole age group thing and wave starts but why not let people race in the elite wave if they want to.  I am talking U.S. races here.  Of course they would then have to forfit their ambitions of going to a world championships as an age grouper but that would be their choice.  I am sure there would be flood of people trying to get late entry into closed races but their results would stand for them selves and it would be up to race director to let them in.  

For me personally I raced one year as an age grouper and was going to race another until I got the opportunity to join Team TBB, which changed everything because I had the opportunity to train full time.  My thought was, why race age groupers who mostly are trying to find the work/life balance?  I have huge advantage at the moment.  So I decided to race in the elite division.  It's been a year of lessons and gaining valuable experience.  

I think there is sometimes a big drop off in the pro division at some races because many shut it down if the race isn't going as planned, psychologically they shut it off and start thinking of the next event. This is compared to age groupers whoe have trained and trained for an Ironman and that's it, 1 or 2 shots a year and that is their season.  This is where racing pro has it's advantage, we can race and race and race again.  So if you can afford it and you are good enough, then race as an elite.  I personally love it because it is a more honest race and the only way to measure yourself against the best in the world, the age group bike portion of triathlon can be one big group ride unless you are in the first or second wave.  Just my thoughts....

Enjoy the fall foliage, I just left New Jersey for Florida and the leaves were peaking, my last long run in the woods was one of the most beautiful runs I have had all year!!

Scott

[VTTriGuy]

Thanks Scott!  Great insight.  The good part is out of all this, I have the next 15 months to figure it all out,  (Thanks to my 2nd all expense paid trip to Afghanistan, 5th tour in the GWoT). 

Hey Ms. Wongstar, if it's a TBB you are so on (But, you have to bring Angela with you!)!!  Burlington is such a wierd town... where else can you find crusty old conservative maple syrup farmers, Ice cream guru hippies, Master Teddy Bear makers & the Elite of the elite in Mountain Warfare killers and uber-awsome biathletes?!?!  hahahaa  I love it up here. 

Thanks guys!

[doc]

look foreward to the future.

[ironyman]

Even if you aren't a pro, triathlon can make you broke. The entry fees make me thingk being a race promoter might not be a bad idea for a business either. This way you can get more time off to train. The downside is you would be too busy organizing to race in your own races.

[javaman]

Irony's comment about time management is very true.  Race promotion isn't beer and skittles, either.  The best thing about being an athlete/promoter is you have an appreciation for all aspects of the sport (what makes a good course, what makes a good event).  The worst part is having to deal with bureaucratic red tape.

(I serve as race operations manager for a small race production company.  That means I am the SLJO - that's the sh!tty little jobs officer - I do whatever it takes to make certain the bike and run course is accurate, safe, and well-supported.  I also draw course maps, work packet pick-up, set up transition and whatever needs to get done.  So, I'm the guy very few participants see at the post-race party.  I also measure courses for USA Track & Field certification, for which the $ goes into the company.  I'm not paid for my efforts, but I'm putting sweat equity into the company...yeah, an eventual share of the take once I retire from federal service in about five years.)

While you can't participate in your own events you can build a certain degree of good-will with other promoters...which can lead into comped entries, etc.

Just my $.02.

[Keith Watson]

The morale of the story...there is "NO" easy way. Hard work, determination and perseverance are the back bone to any type of success...ok and maybe a little luck. 

[Scott DeFillipis - "Scott D"]

Kryn!  Thank you for your service and be careful over there!  Burlington is a great town!!!

[JamesCunnama]

There may be some other factors to consider when going Pro from next year too... I'll wait for WTC to make their announcement sometime soon for the full details, but essentially:

• All Pro's need a license from own federation
• All Pro's then need to apply for Pro license from WTC
• This license will cost the Pro $750 per annum
• Free entry will be granted to all WTC events (except World Champs - that'll still be $550!)
• All registered Pro's will be subject to out-of-competition drug testing

There are also a few other things, like changes to the prize money distribution to only top 5 in IM, etc.

Sounds like this will be instituted as of 1 Jan 2010, so we wait and see what comes from WTC in the next few weeks...

[EspenW]

There may be some other factors to consider when going Pro from next year too... I'll wait for WTC to make their announcement sometime soon for the full details, but essentially:

• All Pro's need a license from own federation
• All Pro's then need to apply for Pro license from WTC
• This license will cost the Pro $750 per annum
• Free entry will be granted to all WTC events (except World Champs - that'll still be $550!)
• All registered Pro's will be subject to out-of-competition drug testing

There are also a few other things, like changes to the prize money distribution to only top 5 in IM, etc.

Sounds like this will be instituted as of 1 Jan 2010, so we wait and see what comes from WTC in the next few weeks...

I like the idea, allthough 750 dollars seems expencive(!)

But prize money to only topp 5 sounds crazy. Will make it pretty hard to make a living as a pro will it not?

[ZachRuble]

If you are not extremely talented,  then you are gonna have to be a little crazy with your training....don't read anything about how you are supposed to train, just train as much as you can handle This will get you a long ways through age group ranks, then eventually you can see if you get your pro card :-)   I used to read posts like this on Slowtwitch-all the time, about "how do I become a pro", then you usually never hear about the person again, and seen guys move to big triathon towns searching for the holy grail there, but really you can train just about anywhere with a few good cyclist or runners, and get the same thing.

[Sugar]

hopefully the $750 will weed out the 'wanta be' pros.

however, IM's should be paid on sliding scales depending on the number of pros racing at the event.

someone really needs to start a professional association, cuz you guys are getting robbed from many angles.