I get asked this question at least once a week; usually at the beginning of a 10 mile run, or after a race when I can hardly stand. So far, the best answer I have come up with is a simple three words:
Because I can.
A profound statement, consisting of three simple words, first grade vocabulary. It�s not even a proper sentence... since when does one have to use correct grammar to express an idea? There's no fancy metaphysics, no great life story, no competitive lust, it's just three words. It's the answer to a great many things. Why did you go so fast? Because I can. Why did you go so slowly? Because I can. Why did you just ride 80 miles? Because I can.
Actually, I did tell one little fib� there is a life story behind it. No cancer, no disease, no death, just a skinny little kid in the playground, the little nerd who was always chosen last for playground cricket games. Now that same kid is spending 1-6 hours a day getting pumped...
The Statement has its origins sometime during the winter 1999-2000, a product of the slightly twisted and often brilliant mind of my buddy George Parker. It was first applied to our almost undefeated swimming team, and later applied to climbing buildings, pulling women, partying before exams, napping during the AP Economics final... Why? Because I can.
Now, back to the point... Group training is where some of the real glory of triathlon begins. It's meeting with a group of people, the vast majority at least twice my age, once or twice a week to use our bodies in ways beyond the wildest imagination of my largely sedentary age group. The best part is that, since I am living in Florida, some of my Saturday bike and Wednesday swim parters are well on their way to becoming true geezers.
It�s the individual training days where I separate myself from my age group. Friends sit outside; many of them far more talented than myself, and the watch as I wheel my bike out for an easy ride, or go charging off into the dark. Sitting there watching me run off into the dark are some interesting relics from high school. There's the former American Football star, with his beer gut and cigarettes... there's the aerobics fanatic who can be seen puffing away, and with 20 minutes in the gym every day on the stairclimber, while the body she seeks is as close as the ceiling.
Because I can.
Any triathlete knows that it's not some rare set of genes, or a lunatic mentality that make the difference between couch potato and tri-hed. Sure, the greats are gifted genetically; one has to be to cover 140+ miles on an Ironman in three different modes of human powered transport in less than 9 hours. I have to be honest, I'll probably never be able to, and I am pretty safe in saying that you won't either, it's just probability. At the same time as that is said, all it takes is one mini-sprint and one becomes a triathlete. One race, as little as 20 minutes of exertion is enough to gain the title �triathlete�. (Most people don�t seem to realize that there is an incredible difference between �triathlete� and �Ironman�)
Because I can.
It's not all serious... after all, how many 18 year olds do you know who will invite all their friends to come see them prance around for hours in about 3ft2 of spandex? As merely a thought experiment, imagine the immense attractive effect of smooth, toned legs on the hands of female college students. Yes... Because I can.
Alex Jones 9 December 2000
