Pre race depression - is this normal

There are usually a time during a race when my mind starts to wander a bit and I think, hey, it would be cool to just bag the race, strip off my bib and paddle out into the surf because it looks really good about now. 

For the duration of most races, I am having the time of my life though.

I train and have lots of training goals, and fulfilling a goal is usually a fairly rewarding experience. (Especially when scheduling becomes tough)

I also race pretty regularly and have some very agressive goals and it is very rewarding to achieve some of those goals from time to time.

I do find myself being more relaxed at races these days than I did when I was new but I don't think that is quite what your describing. I have even been known to take a nap in the transition area or corral before a race.

do you think you setting time goals that are taking the fun out of it..

Don't get me wrong I always have some time that I'm hoping to achieve, but I usually know what my time is going to be based on my training up to the event.

The races where I'm not worried about anything and it's just a glorified training day are as much fun as my other races as long as I'm not thinking
"ok I lost 90 seconds there I need to make it up"

I loooooove the race.  I love training on the bike, but could live without the swim and run training, but don't particularly mind them.

The excitement of race day.  Seeing tri friends, nervous excitement waiting for your wave, the feeling of getting on the bike and being done with the swim, settling into a groove on the run, and best of all, the finish chute.  What's not to love???

No, I don't think so.  I just think that the satisfaction of losing almost 40 lbs, being able to cruse up that hill that used to be a beoch, running at a 9:00 pace and still be in Zone 2 when it used to be a 12:00 mile.  That stuff makes my much happier than setting a PR in my HIM.

I just know that lots of people train to race.  They LOVE racing.  I'm not one I guess.  Don't get me wrong.  I like racing a lot, but maybe don't hold it as high in a list of priorities.  I could probably train and never race an almost be as happy.  The race is just a goal, or benchmark to give my trianing a "reason".

It's funny, because when I played basketball or in all day volleyball tournaments, I LOVED to compete.  I would get to the gym early.  I lived to compete and kick some a$$!  Not so much for triathlon.  It's not a lack of competitiveness, just a strange focus on priorities.  Weird.

All of that is great for sure 

If I dig really deep into my own psyche, it could be because I'm TOO competitive?  Winning is ok, but I HATE, HATE, HATE losing.  Triathlon is hard for me (which is why I LOVE the challenge of getting better during training), but seeing everyone I pass during the swim zip by me on the bike or the run.  Then constantly seeing my name in the middle of the AG'ers get a little dissapointing.  Then all I can think about is getting back to training to get better.  I see training as bettering myself, while racing is a reality check that I have a LONG way to go!

P.S. I did win a 10k once (clydesdale division).  THAT was a fun race! 

maybe.. since you used to enjoy being competitive when you were actually competing directly against someone. v-ball, basketball and Aikido?  with the tri's even though you are on the clock with everyone, it's not like your are kicking them off the bike when you pass them or they pass you..  It's a different type of internal competition that you might be fulfilling while training and seeing great progress.

Then again maybe since you got married you are starting to go soft 

I like that - sums it up much better than I could....

Ha!  Good stuff!  god, hope that's not the case!

I quite often find myself toying with what might be a viable excuse for skipping a race.  But I've always been glad that I didn't listen and stay in bed.

Racing is not the end-all-be-all for me.  But it is a nice way for me to go and be social doing what I love doing (swimming, riding, and running).  To me, each triathlon is a kind of party, and I just love being there.  

Now, if you were to mention post-race depression, I could relate to that.   

I have been less than enthusiastic about racing lately too.   I think some it comes down to the effort and cost involved.   I have to get up at 5 AM all nervous, get a bunch of crap loaded in the car, drive to the race, get signed in, wait around for my start wave, and then have a couple hours of fun.    Or I could sleep in until 10 AM and go on a 2-3 hour bike ride.