I reckon I can see a trend here. Basically: the faster you go, the bigger the stress.
Swimmers tend to be a really nice bunch. On the whole pretty laid back, keen to try something new.
Runners are ok. Probably too puffed to hurl abuse even if they did feel like it.
Cyclists complain & abuse the most. Clothing too tight? That stress & tension really must do hell on personal wellbeing.
As a slow triathlete I like to think I am pretty well balanced. Some of you fast folks need to take a chill pill.
Interesting thread, though brief. I wondered about your definition of speed being related to that of others, even if only by one second. I find that I race against my body and mind, with no eye on the clock. I do push the whole time, but my idea of success, at age 70, is to finish hungry and happy. Hungry means I had a good nutrition/hydration/pace plan, and happy means I feel that I did my best within the constraint of staying healthy. I love this sport - perfect for old people. Kind Regards, kevin aka FitOldDog
I was thinking I should let this one fade away because. I was losing forum fitness after a brief xmas break, but then I went and made a reply.
What actually motivated the original post, was the hustle and bustle of the xmas rush, mainly on the roads. All the jam packed family wagons speeding (literally) down the highway, with following distances akin to racing. I can’t see how being 1 or 2 seconds earlier is worth endangering your families lives. This was brought to the forefront of my mind when I considered the lack of vitriol I have seen on a swimming forum. That in general, being in a rush is usually doing no one any favors. All it really does is add anger and stress, which so often actually ends up netting the same result, if not being counterproductive. I feel pity (admittedly because I used to be caught in the trap) because I know what they are needlessly putting themselves through. And finally, to try and add some extra relevance, I tried to find a paradigm with regards to triathlon.
I really was scared of the sharks in Australia. When I saw notices saying it’s safe because the shark nets are out, I went to the pool (on the Gold Coast). But I loved the steak pies, flora and fauna.
You’re right about the issues you discuss, and Ironman is a great metaphor. For me you push the race, gently, very gently, slowing increasing pace as you warm up. In life, I think the same works well. I start my day with 1-2 hour meditation over tea, surrounded by dogs (now plus a cat) and Deb sleeping soundly. I just sit, and watch the day arrive. In fact, my philosophy is summed up in a movie Cook Medical made about my life, which might interest you, who knows - here’s the link, just in case (one little cosmic error in my narrative made me smile!). Yes, change the world one person at a time, that person being oneself, then the goodness spreads. Funny how that is.
change the world one person at a time, that person being oneselfGreat words of wisdom. There is no other way! For if you try to impose on others, then all you are really doing is creating work for yourself. Plan to look at your vid soon.
Interesting thought, but the pecking order establishment is simplest in swimming, running, then cycling in that order.
Unless you are pretty good, you can’t even pretend to keep up for one lap with a guy swimming 100 yards at a 55 second pace. Had a friend in college that won a fair number of bar bets the could beat you in a 25 yard free off the blocks using only one arm. He was usually in the 10 to 12 second range. I never beat him.
I can run a 4 min mile pace for one lap on a track.
I can ride ride 30 mph for a little while. While nice age groupers can be a little harder to find, all the pros I have ridden with could rip your legs off, but tend to be very nice out on the road to me.
The bigger the difference between them all are if you have the speed to burn the “nicer” you tend to be to the less fortunate others. At least that is my experience.
I do think the most fun group to hang with is the ultra runners. There is no place to hide in a 50 miler and they really get on each other in jest. I still laugh at an ultra runner yelling “I am gaining on you” to another guy that was in view but a few switchbacks ahead on a long climb. Seems he had started late, blew by me and was chasing his buddies who were waiting for the dreaded pass. The ultra guys seem to all be about 50 years old 0% body fat, have a dog and a great sense of humor.
They all seem to have the same line." Well,… I haven’t run a marathon on pavement since Boston XXXXX years ago and did a 2:35. But I could probably do a 2:40 or something like that now." And I don’t doubt that for one second. I think it is much easier to be nice to people you have 0% chance of being a threat to you.