I was a runner before I ever "raced."
When I sign up for a race, for me it's about doing the best I can that day, after putting in the work to get there.
Last year I started getting hung up on numbers, mainly my finish time, and pace. Which is a good thing, so I can measure my progress, but it's also a bad thing, because I take that time and compare that to the time of others. And if my time is slower, I beat myself up over it. Which is bonkers.
I haven't even dipped a toe in a pool yet, and I'm already trying to figure out what my finish time might be in Irongirl. I even looked up the times of a couple of friends who ran their first sprints last year, so I can get an idea of when I might finish. One girl had a time that I decided was going to be my goal, and I want try and beat it. Is that nuts? Or smart? Am I competing with someone I haven't seen in years, or am I competing with myself?
I guess it's okay if it's a little bit of both.
Right?
It's something to think about while I sit here and watch the SU game. These are my new favorite socks, which I won in a giveaway of Colleen's several weeks ago. Aren't they cute?
I still want to insert a smiley face here, but I'm not going to do it.
21 comments:
I have no advice for you since I do the same thing only no swimming :) I am competitive with everyone and its silly at times and productive at others.
Love the socks :)
I just did the smiley face for you...twice!!
Be well
When I did my first tri, I didn't start thinking about a goal time until about a month out. I picked a goal time based on the times I clocked training. I don't think it's bad to set a goal time as long as you can still have fun and not let it ruin your day if you don't meet that time your first time out.
I wouldn't compare yourself to someone elses times. You can definately strive for that time but alot of factors go into play when racing including how much training you did, how you feel race morning, race conditions, etc, etc. I would focus on a time but be flexible in that decision. I have learned this the hard way.
I think your new photo header deserves a brief explanation. Smile!
Love the socks!
I sometimes question my competitive nature, too. But I've decided that this is kind of a female issue...I doubt we'd hear a man question whether or not it's ok that he's competitive with himself or with others. So I say, if you're racing, you obviously care a bit about times, and that's OK. Let's be men about it!
You totally aren't alone. I am always trying to figure out what I "should" do on this course or that. It's obsessive and totally not worth it! Just race your race and that's all that matters!
Glad you love the socks. I wear mine all the time!
I was reading your post and thinking I'd call my buddy up tell him I was going to smash his time from last year ...lol. AND Then Amanda (as usual) went and put it perfectly into words. It is extremely cool to be competitive with others. Use it, make it that carrot in front of you!
I love that you're totally going for it.
Well you have to set a goal and if that goal is to beat someone elses time then so be it! I tend to want to compare my times to other runners times but I have been trying more this year to just focus on myself and setting my own goals without comparing. It doesn't always work but it's still a work in progress :)
As a relaxed back of the packer, I cannot relate but I totally admire competitiveness in others. ::grins::
Love the socks, girl!
There's nothing wrong with being competitive, but as I said in my last post, I think it's more about being competitive against yourself. I was getting comments like wow, you are way to fast, etc. Which I totally don't think, I think I'm slow, just a new kind of slow since I'm always competing against myself. Haha! Go out and do your best to push yourself! :-)
I'm really the wrong person to judge competitiveness since I compete with EVERYTHING but I think that it is totally normal to have a goal time. I probably would've done the same thing!
I'm quite good at not being competitive but that comes with being as slow as I am. When I was faster (younger) I suppose I was more competitive. Nothing wrong with that.
Everyone has different motivators - embrace what works for you.
I think it's good that you're kinda rolling things around in your mind beforehand. I also think it's good that you wear such cool socks.
I always compare my time to others and it's not good. I even recieved a rude comment a few weeks ago about how slow I am. I know I'm not a fast runner, but I still run.
Nothing wrong with smilies :)!!
Sometimes, there is nothing wrong with being competitive...I think it makes us more accountable to sticking with a program to be the best we can be! I like to stand at the start line of a race having left no stone unturned, having my body in the best condition it can be for the moment, and see what the race can give me. And if that means being competitive, then so be it!! :) (love smilies!!)
I'm right there with you! I think if you're aware of it, it helps you to keep it in perspective, Or at least that's what I tell myself.
Its good to set goals, its gonna be over before you even know it, trust me, they are tough, but not hard, its all about pace till the last part of the run.
P.S. I'm giving away one of my hats like you suggested. :-)
Love the socks! I am not hypercompetitive, but I do like to beat my own previous times. Good luck on the tri!
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