"winning isn't normal"

Triathlon Forum
1

I am looking for an inspirational passage title “Winning Isn’t Normal”. Can anyone tell me who wrote it?

I think there were a couple of references to it in Harriers. Would anyone have the exact references or back issues where it is mentioned or printed?

Thanks.

2

I found the following:

Winning Isn’t Normal

Winning isn’ t normal. That doesn’t mean there’ s anything wrong with winning. It just isn’t the norm. It’s highly unusual.

Every competition has only one winner. No matter how many people are entered (not to mention those who failed to qualify), only one person wins each event.

Winning is unusual. As such, it requires unusual action.

In order to win you must do extraordinary things. You just can’t be one of the crowd. The crowd doesn’t win. You have to be willing to stand out and act differently. Your actions need to reflect unusual priorities and values. You have to value success more than others do. You have to want it more. Now, take note! Wanting it more is a decision you make and act upon – not some inherent quality or burning inner drive or inspiration. And you have to make that value a priority.

You can’t train like everyone else. You have to train more and train better. You can’t talk like everyone else. You can’t think like everyone else. You can’t be too willing to join the crowd, to do what is expected, to act in a socially accepted manner, to do what’s “in”. You need to be willing to stand out in the crowd and consistently take exceptional action. If you want to win, you need to accept the risks and perhaps the loneliness … because WINNING ISN’T NORMAL!!!

by Dr. Keith Bell

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0945609019/002-4036194-3236068?v=glance&n=283155

3

I had a copy of that book long ago. It’s geared toward competitive swimmers, but a lot of the pep talks could be used for most other types of sports.

4

That’s a great quote. Indeed, winning IS unusual. It’s a very different feeling when you win a big race, or any race for that matter. I was 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th so many times in races that when I actually got in the lead and was heading for a win, it was this really bizarre feeling. The biggest thing being that no longer did I need to chase - now I was being chased!

Fleck