Branching off from the Clydesdale thread. . .
Why do you compete and/or race?
If there was no chance that you’d ever place in whatever category you’re in, would you still race?
Do you know anyone who doesn’t participate in triathlon because they don’t have a chance of taking home hardware?
I race to meet new people, Compete, travel, see new sights, I will do races that I know I can’t place in. I’ll do new sports (road races) that I’m not in shape for just to do it. BUT if I never had a chance to place I don’t think I would stay involved. I like to place and I do it in my age group. New people that I know work hard , buy new stuff, plan seasons just to try to get one of the top “3” age group awards. If we can get people “hooked” with awards lets do it. Once hooked they will make the world a better place. Why? Because most triathletes believe in the enviroment, exercise, healthy lifestyles, work ethic and that franswaaaaaa is just a big sissy!
<<Why do you compete and/or race?>>
I don’t train because I race, I race because I train. I love running & cycling. Swimming is another matter. However, participating in organized events is one part of my lifestyle. I enjoy it. I enjoy my daily training too. “Racing” and event is just an extra “kicker” for me. I’ve placed as well as fifth in my AG at some of the smaller events and can usually take home hardware at local 5k’s. But that’s not the point for me. I love talking to/assisting newbies and rubbing elbows with “the fast people”. The guys who got me into triathlon were a bunch of fitness/endorphine junkies on 15 y/o bikes and would still nail fast splits and have good times. They stressed staying at the finish line until the last person is “home” and that when triathlon stops being fun–quit!
Gotta go,
Brett
I will never place, unless I am one of only three competitors. I typically bring home the end of the race and don’t really care.
I enjoy training with my friends and pushing myself to my own evergrowing limits. I enjoy setting an example to my daughters, not only an example about exercise, but about trying your best.
I am not lucky enough to have the genes to be competitive, but I am lucky enough to have the ability to get out and do something. I think about that after my early morning runs or rides as I realize how many people refuse to do anything or unfortunately are unable to do anything.
So I compete because: training is fun, setting a healthy example for my girls and because I can.
Its fun, I like the challenge, the competition, and it keeps me in shape. In general the tri community is welcoming and helpful, which makes it more enjoyable. I like the fact that there are 3 disciplines, I think I would get bored if I only concentrated on one. Right now I couldnt win AG or Clyde but im striving towards top 10, top 3 etc…, as long as I continue to get faster I am happy.
For the pretty T-Shirts.
Can you rephrase that because I’m so pathetic I don’t really “compete.” I’m fixing to do a few sprints next month, for the mere purpose of surviving the event(s).
Racing gives me an reason to train. Why get off the couch if there is nothing to look foreword to? Sometimes I place, often I dont. Podium finish position is just icing on the cake.
As far as people not racing because they have no chance… that is hard to say. Many people have a long list of excuses not to train and race but most would never admit that it is due to fear of failure. Howevere it may be a contributing factor for the non-participant.
Easy-
It’s fun.
It’s an aesthetically beautiful sport.
It makes me feel like I am accomplishing something tangible.
I like the other people at the races.
I love to train, and I love to solve problems. Racing allows me a medium to validate my training success (things I’m doing right) while identifying problems with my training (things I’m doing wrong, or not doing at all). Plus, it’s fun to go out and give a full effort, on an unfamiliar course, without worrying about anything but doing my best.
Why? How about in shape hot chicks in very little clothing. It may not be the only reason but it sure helps. Plus ifI didn’t race and train I would be a triple clydesdale.
In every race I do, I am competing against myself, my own closest rival. Sometimes my rival is faster than others. Sometimes my rival has a tough day. But the race is always between me and him!
For fun and fitness. By racing it forces me to be reasonably consistant with my training. Before I started tri my activity level was more hap hazard, I’ve had the occassional AG podium but that’s not what it’s about since I don’t ever try to beat anyone but myself. Plus I enjoy going out with my tri friends for lunch and beer afterwards.
Like about 90% of all triathletes, I don’t think I’ll ever take home hardware. That doesn’t mean I can’t be competitive and try to finish in the top third (or whatever) in my AG. But mostly it motivates me to train and keeps me in good shape.
There is no chance that I will place in any category I can enter (in triathlon), I’m always somewhere in the top third. When I started, I really couldn’t swim. When I “ran” just for fitness, I ran 10+ minute miles.
Now I have finished oly distance tris where the swim was in the ocean. Surviving that was a huge accomplishment for me!! I can also bike and run way faster now (in my forties) than I could in my twenties. Participating in races gives me a goal to structure my training around. It’s like a big party where I get to spend the day doing what I love with other people who also love those things.
I took up triathlon because it was something me and my dad could do together. He has been one of the top guys in his age group for the last 20 years and while I will never beat him it is fun to meet at races around the country and watch him collect the hardware. Besides my kids love watching Grandpa put the hurt on me.
Timberwolf said it best :
<< I don’t train because I race, I race because I train. I love running & cycling. Swimming is another matter. >>
The race puts a focal point on the training. The daily training is the journey. All aspects of the training lifestyle is whats fun and important to me. Races are just icing on the cake.
because i love doctors, when i compete in, it triathlon gets me so motivated that i overtrain, get injured, then see a doctor… yay!
i just love the riding, the running and the swimming. I like the training, the competition is just to give me something to work towards, a goal to overcome.
I only compete against myself. I enjoy the healthy lifestyle, training and fun of being around like-minded folks. I participate to get the satisfaction of finishing, regardless of my placing.
Because that’s what I was born to. I’ve started a thousand races knowing at best I’d be able to hang with the peloton till the end(yeah, cycling, not tris here). And in just the odd race or two, I’ve been able to hang on or even finish in a nice breakaway . Darn euro racing is wicked fast, but it’s the real deal, and I wouldn’t trade it for nothing.
I probably wouldn’t race if I had the feeling that “save by very bad luck, I’ll win”.
My 0.02.
I agree with that. I race so that I can train. I love to train, whether it be cycling,running, weights or whatever. The competition just adds a little flavor and gives me something to do with my training.