U-SAT... USA-T...
ok, i'm just going to go out on a ledge here and admit that there's a distinct possibility that i am an idiot, but..
i just found this out.
did you know that to participate in a something something sanctioned something triathlon, you have to carry some kind of a card?
like some kind of members only we have permission and you don't... card?
did you know that?
did you know that you have to have it with you when you go to the race? and all races? and that they ask you for it when you enter?!!?
did you know that?
because i did not know that. and i feel as though that might have been somewhat important information. i feel as though when you start training for a triathlon, and you start getting together all the gear you need for triathlon, that someone should perhaps mention that you have to be a member of or get a card from or pay some sort of dues to USAT.
i feel this is important because when certain people, not unlike myself, are uninformed, they make... well.
mistakes.
mistakes like... finding themselves at dinner with the president of their very own multiSport club and questioning what a standardized test for college admissions has to do with triathlon.
"so, wait a second....uSAT... the SAT's..?? what does that have to do with anything?"
.... ackward silence.... funny looks and stares....
"USA.....triathlon."
".. its USAT, triathlon, its a group you... you have to be a member to --- inarticulate garble as i realize the sheer magnitude of my supreme idiocy..."
"..oooh, ooh, okay. USA - t.. USA-t, i thought you said u-SAT.. so i.. yeah, no... right.
USATriathlon.. U..S... right..
yeah. gotcha...."
... ackward silence... more strange looks....
wow.
yeah.
that wasn't pretty.
so like i said... apparently, to participate in a triathlon, you have to have something to do with this USAT group of people and you have to have a card, and there's an exchange of money and i suppose it all makes a lot of sense.
but you know... nobody ever told me, so...
i never knew.
*ahem*
anyway!!! after leaving dinner and regaining some sort of semblance of brain power i felt it was my duty to rush home and let everyone else know that indeed its USAT.. stands for USA Triathhon and hopefully, now, nobody else will make the kind of mistake i seem to uh..
well. always make.
(not that anyone would. this is me we're talking about here.... )
*sigh*
one of these days i'm not going to be the newbie.
and its gunna rock!!!
Comments
That is too funny. Sounds like something I would say.
So are you now a card carrying member? LOL
Posted by: Jeff | February 26, 2007 6:06 AM
Are you serious? Why don't these races say this crap on their webpages for the clueless people of the world? Oh wait, I just checked and you can get one day passes for races... But still, is that on top of the regular race fee? Gosh, I am all confused now.
Posted by: Danielle in Iowa | February 26, 2007 7:30 AM
Wow, how were you supposed to know that?? We all would have done the same thing but thanks for the information...because now I know;)
Posted by: Uptown Girl | February 26, 2007 7:37 AM
You don't have to join. You can pay the $10 single day fee. If you race more than 3 USAT races in a season, the membership makes more sense.
However, you can apply single day pass fees toward a full year membership. Since I've so far only signed up for one race that had the fee, I'm not a card carrying member.
Posted by: Iron Pol | February 26, 2007 8:32 AM
You learn something new every day. Since I am thinking of doing a few Tri's this year I will have to look into it. Thanks AJ, for saving me.
Posted by: Bob | February 26, 2007 10:02 AM
You learn something new every day. Since I am thinking of doing a few Tri's this year I will have to look into it. Thanks AJ, for saving me.
Posted by: Bob | February 26, 2007 10:02 AM
I'd heard it mentioned, and I am sure that it's in the fine print somewhere. It's a mistake that is easily remedied...i think.
Posted by: Juls | February 26, 2007 10:03 AM
I'm not involved in Tris at all, but I didn't know that either. And really, how would you know if the race doesn't say something like that? I mean running races you don't have to be a member of anything to join....interesting.
Posted by: Danielle in MN | February 26, 2007 11:05 AM
You are a trip. I can't beleive you thought you had to take a test.
Wow. I don't think I'd be a triathlete if I had to pass a standardized test!
Posted by: Patrick | February 26, 2007 11:28 AM
Welcome to da club. You can also get day race permits :p
BTW can i talk to you about some logo ideas for my site?
Posted by: andy | February 26, 2007 12:04 PM
I was in your same shoes last year freaking out, but like mentioned above, you can get a one day pass when you register. No need to stress out about it.
Posted by: The Clyde | February 26, 2007 12:08 PM
That is too funny. Sounds like something that would have happened to me. I didn't know that you needed a "card" to get in!
Posted by: Teacherwoman | February 26, 2007 12:10 PM
I didn't know that. But then all I do is run and only do the run portions in triathlon relays.
Saw your KU team on TV, they looked almost like a real contender. Should be a good time in March!
Posted by: Kurt | February 26, 2007 12:38 PM
oh man. that is soooo funny. you should do stand-up comedy.
i don't really remember how i found out i'd need one before my first race. but somewhere along the way i found out.
Posted by: TJ | February 26, 2007 12:50 PM
I had NO IDEA
tell me more?
Posted by: chandra | February 26, 2007 2:28 PM
Triathlon is one of the kindest sports there is - at least the people are kind. The race itself can be brutal but the Triathlon people are nice and they DO tell you you need a card. You would have found out. And as others have said, you don't really need a membership unless you will do at least 3 sanctioned events at which point it makes sense. Except it is oh so cool to be a card carrying member of a US something. I am a US Masters swimmer and will soon be a USAT member. Cool, right?
Posted by: 21stCenturyMom | February 26, 2007 2:50 PM
well hell's bells. I think SOMEONE might have mentioned that to you by now!
(no card needed for running! woo hoo!)
Posted by: jeanne | February 26, 2007 3:14 PM
from now on, when in the presence of local triathlon royalty, you will wear an earpiece and mic, and when something like this rears its ugly head, you will calmly repeat the words i am tellin you in your ear!
Posted by: bold | February 26, 2007 8:01 PM
oh, and props to you and your goggles, and snow hat in CO -- SO CUTE!!!
Bold, member USAT since 2005
Posted by: bold | February 26, 2007 10:50 PM
First of all, it should be UNSAT! You don't see that in marathoning or ultramarathoning. I think it's a crock of shit. A way to make more money off of you. Like the entry fees and gear costs for triathletes aren't stifling enough!
Second, why am I not linked on your blogroll? I'm one of your oldest readers.
Third, I mean "old" as in been reading the longest and I am insulted at your giggling.
Fourth, I know, I have been MIA for a long time but to be fair, you are on my Bloglines.
Posted by: Viper | February 26, 2007 11:43 PM