there is a wide variety of motives for running/tri-ing. I think of John Campbell who broke a 16-year old master’s marathon record (2:11:04 at Boston 1990) - his business and his marriage had failed in New Zealand, so he came to USA and raced like a maniac all year long. Definitely running away. On the other hand, Jack Foster, whose record Campbell broke (by 7 seconds), seemed a calm and happy type from the interviews I read.
Personally I’m just running - it’s one of the few things that places me entirely in the moment, free of regrets for the past and fears of the future. I run for my mind, not for my body. There is a lot of research and anecdote indicating that endurance exercise is a significant anti-depressant and mood enhancer. I’m addicted, but I like to think of it as a positive addiction… of course, training through injury into a crippled state, or training until marriage and career fall apart, could easily turn it negative.
Youth runs toward fate, Wisdom runs away. Half-way between youth and Wisdom is a point called - Crisis. It is a point where fight or flight becomes less defined. It is where motive and motivation in (and of) itself IS something.
Hmmm… Sounds a lot like the phases of any endurance event sport…only on a different scale. So, I guess you are always running toward and away from something… The wise know WHEN to do which. That determines victory at any level.
I started distance running when I was 11 years old and grew up with it. I was pretty good at it and it just became something that I do every day like eating and sleeping. Twenty-five years later I still love it (although I’ve added cycling and swimming to the mix). I don’t think that I have any strange issues that motivate me, just a love of the lifestyle and of competition. As a teen I was asked constantly “Does your dad make you run?” (my dad was a phys ed teacher and track coach) and I’d just laugh and shake my head. No one can “make” you do endurance sports… you just have to love pushing yourself and find your own reasons.
And where do Goals go into all this? I was relatively happy with long slow runs and those 6 hour bike rides to help my ironman buddies train. Then I won my age group in my first du. The next season I was 3 out of 4, local events, and this thing took on a life of its own. It has cycled around now to where I’m dialing back the racing to try some other experiences, like music. I’m wondering if I have the nerve to get in a race and enjoy the participation and the other people, as opposed to beating myself to a pulp for a 75 cent medal, sneaking a glance at others to see how close they are to my age, and how fast they are.
My main motivation started in 8th grade when a girl rejected me. Not giving me a simple no, she explained in great detail why. Although this really sucked for self-esteem it did show me that I needed to improve. At the top of her list was that I needed to work on my body, at the time I was basically a stick, 5’8’ and just over 110 pounds. She ended up becoming a 15 year old mother.
Over the last few years it has always been a girl that has kept me motivated, Either by her telling me I’m not good enough of me just thinking it. Negative reinforcement. I’m now phsically about where I want to be. 40" Chest, 28" waist and weighing 132 pounds. And my self esteem is all good at this point, I dont need some chick to tell me I’m hot, I know I am.
That was my initiating motivation. Finding motivation now is just a matter of improvement with artificial goals such as running a marathon in under 3 hours and being able to maintain 16MPH for 26 miles on a bike, and benching my body weight 10x.
I’m running from who I used to be to who I’m gonna be.
Wow, either I’m a freak or you dated some goofy chicks. My dad and I are like the best of friends and talk on the phone many times a week (mom too, but dad and I have more to talk about). My motives?
I get to travel the world
Hanging out with my friends
Get to ride my bike and compete (I don’t really like the roadie vibe)
Because I can and there are some who think I can’t
Meeting totally hottie pro tri guys (see other thread)
I have people to work out with or have a beer with anywhere I travel for work or pleasure
I just spent four days in San Diego with a bunch of triathletes and it was a big love-fest. Fast, slow, fit, not so fit, everyone really likes each other and has genuine respect for each other. What else is there?
Spot on. Do you remember the Michael Landon made for TV movie where his evil mom hangs his wet bed sheets out his window to shame him into not wetting at night? He races home from school every day to take down the sheets before other kids see them. He races right into the Olympics. Those who fail to study history are doomed to get it from Hollywood.
Youth runs toward fate, Wisdom runs away. Half-way between youth and Wisdom is a point called - Crisis. It is a point where fight or flight becomes less defined. It is where motive and motivation in (and of) itself IS something.
is this a quote from something? If not, I’ll add this to the thread on favorite quotes from the forum.
I run to something, but I’ve been trying and trying to get myself to enjoy the ride. That end isn’t always the finish, but some goal. I engage in triathlons in general sort of as a proof to myself that I can do it(it being anything). I’ve got a fairly substantial stutter, so I end up doing Tri’s and such to prove I’m more than that some kid who can’t talk smoothly.