My facial hair has played a big part of my life, both in triathlon and outside of it. It got me into certain bars when I was not yet 21. It gave me media coverage on USATriathlon’s website. It earned me the nickname “Moustache Man” at the Collegiate Triathlon National Champsionships. Often times I will shave a moustache before a big race and then clean the slate afterward. Now that I am entering a part of the year without a race on the horizon, I’ve let it go a bit.
USAT using my face to promote “Mustachionals” at the Collegiate National Championship. And I didn’t even win…
It started with post-Door County Triathlon. I said that I wouldn’t touch my face with a razor until Ironman Lake Tahoe. Then, as most might know, Ironman Lake Tahoe didn’t happen and I was plunged into a purgatory of unkempt goatee growth while contemplating when I might have another occasion to shave.
At the same time, my head-hair (not sure if that’s actually what you can call it) was growing longer than it ever had been. Longer than the early days of high school where boys with long hair was fashionable. Overall, I was looking pretty butch. Enough to garner the nicknames “Mountain Man”, “Homeless Guy” and “Rabbi” at the Thanksgiving dinner table.
I like the grungy look (although it can come with some problems when inadvertently walking into a high-school cafeteria while truthfully saying that I am a reporter is getting me nowhere). Still, it comes with its difficulties while training.
The most prominent is trying to jam all of my hair into a swim cap. How women do so with regularity is a skill left to opposing genders. Despite my greatest efforts, I always end my set with a black mullet hanging off the back of the stretched yellow nylon. While on the bike trainer, keeping my hair at bay and the sweat out of my eyes requires a pink headband and a second towel on hand. Again, fitting my hair under my cold-weather running skull cap is an equal challenge.
Seriously, who races an Ironman looking like that? Good thing I didn’t get to race.
Despite all of these downfalls, I have been resistant to cut my hair. I use the excuse that it’s getting colder and it helps keep me warm (which actually isn’t much of a lie). But in reality, I like the idea of my flowing locks standing up for an under-represented population of triathletes: men with long hair. In our fury for speed, we cut and shave down everything we can. I like the idea, at least for now, of being the guy that can reach the podium despite 10% more drag and an extra two pounds on my head (my hair is unnaturally thick). I reject the impression of elite triathletes as clean-cut, early-rising, anti-social cocoons. In my opinion, there’s not enough flavor in this sport that should be the epitome of individualized. May my long hair and unkempt beard forever be a statement that you can reach the podium and have the best looking finisher photo at the same time.
Go Hawks! Go Mustache!
Please post your tips for long hair below! Swim caps, sweating while on the trainer, getting too warm while running, etc.
