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Triathlon T-Shirt Etiquette
by
Mark Cathcart
In the Triathlon community the wearing of
race t-Shirts has become a sign of accomplishment and fashion. Choosing just the
right t-Shirt for that special occasion can be a daunting and difficult task.
The following guidelines have been compiled to help the responsible t-shirt
wearer avoid potential embarrassment and/or elevate their status.
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A shirt cannot be worn unless the wearer
has participated in the event. (Crew, volunteers are exempt)
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Wearing a t-shirt within 30-days of the
event demonstrates lack of experience; it says: I don't have any other
t-shirts, ergo I'm a novice!
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Any race t-shirt, less than a Olympic
(standard) distance, shouldn't be worn to an half or full Ironman (long
distance) event. It simply doesn't represent a high cool factor and sends a
red flag regarding your 'rookie-ness'. If you raced in the Longest Day or any
other race longer than Olympic distance, definitely wear that shirt whenever
possible.
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When returning to a race in which you
previously finished, then wear the shirt from the first year you completed the
race. Don't short change yourself by wearing the shirt from the year before.
It doesn't adequately display the feat of accomplishment or the consummate
veteran status that you are due.
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Never wear a race shirt from the race you
are about to compete in. It displays a lack of integrity and tempts fate.
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Wearing a t-shirt of the race, while
currently running said race, is discouraged. It's like being at work and
constantly announcing "I'm at work".
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Never wear a shirt from a race that you did
not finish. To wear it is to say I finished.
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A DNF'er may wear a race shirt if... the
letters DNF are boldly written on the shirt in question. It is also acceptable
to have a large-X across the name of the race on the t-shirt. While an X on
your race number is associated with a drafting penalty in a non-drafting,
typically Ironman races, it will stimulate discussion and you get a chance to
explain why you DNF'd.
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During a race the wearing of shirt from a
previously completed year is acceptable. Wear the oldest T-shirt you have.
This is probably a good practice because you now have no excuse to drop out
since you've done it before.
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Volunteers have full t-shirt rights and all
privileges pertaining thereto.
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No souvenir shirts! Friends or anyone else
not associated with the race may not wear a race shirt. If your 'partner'
thinks that the Windsor sweatshirt is great, tell them to send in their
application early for next year so they can earn their own.
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Not withstanding Guideline #2, wear the
race shirt of your last race at the current race pre-race briefing. The more
recent the race the better. This is a good conversation starter. However,
avoid the tendency to explain how the race was training for this, and this is
just a training for the next race, etc. It just sounds like you're
rationalizing mediocre performances. Sometimes it's best to live in the here
and now. ("I've never been more prepared for a race! This is the big one!")
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It must be clean (dried blood stains are
okay).
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If you've finished any full Ironman
distance event, then wear the t-shirt as often as possible, since these races
are so damn hard.
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If you don't know what things like DNF, T1,
T2, Brick sessions are, then you shouldn't wear any race shirt until you do.
T-shirts must be used sensitively. Worn
responsibly, they can help expand one's consciousness and immerse you in a great
conversation with your Triathlon brethren. They are great for stimulating
conversation with the opposite sex at the gym (aka chat-up lines). Worn
stupidly, they can cause blisters, vacant stares, sprained ankles, and cause
social anxiety.
NOTE: Publicly these guidelines will be
denied and possibly ridiculed by Triathletes, but privately and when discussed
confidentially, they sing a different tune.
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