Why? Because my reaction to her first tri is not what I expected.
I wanted to be snarky. Really.
I greeted the news that she was blogging for Self magazine about her training with disdain. I mean, come on. Would she really do it? She knows you have to train, right? Doesn't she know you can't dilly-dally in transition putting makeup on? And it must be nice to have a staff of 50 taking care of every other annoying responsibility in your life just so you can go out and run.
Plus, it irked me a little. I blogged last year for Women's Health about MY triathlon training, but I'm not a celebrity. Nobody cared! (OK, a few people did.) But, hello?! Let's just say my blog didn't make headlines.
And how annoying was it that the very race she chose for her first tri, is also the one I did for my first triathlon? I entered the Nautica Malibu Triathlon two years ago because brother mag Men's Health is a sponsor. A few of my MH colleagues had signed up and convinced me it would be a good idea.
(Did I mention I had a pathological fear of water?)
Despite the slick vibe and the celeb spotting (yo, Amanda Beard!), it was a pretty miserable experience. Ocean swim in the Pacific!? What was I thinking? I am not kidding when I say I was nearly last out of the water. I was in the final wave, and, yes, there might have been two others behind me.
So, this year I secretly hoped that J. Lo's experience would be worse. That the ocean swim would make her DNF. That she would exit the water feeling like she was going to die and look as pathetic as I did.
(Why? I guess it makes me feel better when someone seemingly more privileged than I suffers more.)
Sadly, no.
The evidence here:
Me. Miserable.(Note the paucity of swimmers still in the water.)
J. Lo. Happy!(Not fair. She has stylist. Plus, she was in the first wave. Which explains the hoards of people behind her.)
When I started reading about her experience, I found myself having the same reaction I do whenever I read a race report or hear about a first triathlon.
I was happy for her.
Here's why:
She's a mom (albeit with help... and more more money per appearance than I make in a year).
She had her kids less than a year ago.
She's 39.
She's
(wait for it)
a little bit like me.
(OK, not so much.)
But it's an admirable accomplishment.
And she probably inspired a lot of people.
And it might have made her feel good about herself in a way that collecting platinum albums, real estate, and haute couture might never be able to.
(Though I noted with pleasure that my time was better than hers.)
So, I'm here to publicly proclaim that I think it's pretty cool she did it. She looks happy crossing the finish line.
Unlike I did.(Of course, I am not a professional actress...)
I felt kinda defeated.Bottom line: Good for J. Lo for getting it done at age 39 after having twins. Good for J. Lo for smiling as she crossed the finish line even though, let's face it, she only did OK. (I took myself so seriously that I couldn't be happy no matter how I tried to spin it.)
But here's what I think she should do now: Take her personal victory, combine it with her scads of money, and start building swimming pools in inner cities and setting up training programs for kids "from the block." She should do everything she can to provide access this lofty sport for people who have no resources. Triathlon is entirely for the privileged. She could make a difference.
Will she?
12 of you had something to say:
I'm with you. I was tickled when I found out J.Lo was doing a tri. I mean, I had moments where I was like 'priveleged [insert cuss] thinks she can just decide to do something' but then I realized that this is pretty cool, for someone who seems so high maintenance. And what impressed me more? Cheap bike, budgy gear. She biked and ran in a tee shirt (sheesh, think she would be able to at least afford a decent tri top?) and I just thought that was cool. She didn't look like someone who expects to buy her way to a good tri time, and I was impressed for that reason. Go J.Lo!
Take her personal victory, combine it with her scads of money, and start building swimming pools in inner cities and setting up training programs for kids "from the block." She should do everything she can to provide access this lofty sport for people who have no resources. Triathlon is entirely for the privileged. She could make a difference.
Amen, give back to her roots. I couldn't agree more. This was an awesome post-I loved your honesty and integrity.
Cool post -- and, I have to say, cool that your time was better :) I would have been very pleased with that fact ...
Funny post, I too had kept tabs on J.Lo's story. I was happy to hear that mine was (at least) before she did hers. Even if it was by only one day. Of course the fact that I medaled on my first tri ever "never" made the headlines like her attempt did! But still best of luck and happiness to her for completing. Only a triathlete knows what it's like and even though she's very privileged in other things in life, to be happy and healthy and stung by the triathlete bug are worth more than any monetary thing in the world!
Great post - and I say good for J. Lo, too!! No matter who you are, completing a triathlon takes hard work.
I admit this was the first I heard of J. Lo's tri experience. I'm surprised...but in a good way. I find it telling when someone who really doesn't *have* to do something challenging, does. She gets points from me--especially because she did it without all her bling :)
Karen from SCAG
I still don't like her.
Yawn
I'm still glad you beat her.
:)
I still don't like her either....but she did raise a LOT of $$.
And what's this about being 39 and racing?
Are you saying that 39 is OLD? I was probably at my PEAK in my 30s.
And having kids?
Like that's some handicap?
I am going to be 55 this weekend, have raced for over 25 years with kid/career and no nanny.
No. Big. Deal.
Personally I think she should have been DQd for having help in transition.
And for wearing that shirt when cycling and running! HA!
Hey Fe-Lady, I'm 42 and not saying anything about 39 being old! Not at all. What I am saying is that there are many women who think, "Oh, I'm too old to get out there and be athletic. It's too late. I'll just stay home on the couch and watch TV and eat junk." We need more people like you and me and J. Lo to get out there and say, it doesn't matter how old you are or how many kids you have or how many limiters you think you have, your body and mind are capable of amazing things.
I'm not a big J. Lo fan myself, but I do think the fact that as a public figure she got out there and did this (I mean, come on, most people don't even know what a triathlon is) is admirable.
I am laughing at the comments. Did you guys notice she doesn't ride clipped in?
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