Enjoy Race or Train more? Why?

I've found that I have to have races to get off my butt and train.  Not that I dislike training - I've come to really enjoy swimming and the overall good feeling I get after a workout, but I'm a lazy git and need the races to get myself in gear and do anything.

Once I started racing, despite my complete lack of competitiveness, I found that I really, really LOVED racing, even though I'm so slow I think I'm going backwards sometimes.  It's just a ton of fun for me. 

Trixie had a quote in her log that said something along the lines of, "If you can't do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly."  I'll never be at AG Nationals, so I'd better be at least having a good time!

My only frustration, and it's an exceptionally minor one, is that I think a relay would be a lot of fun, too, but I'm not strong enough in any discipline to be able to really bring anything to the table for a relay team.

i enjoy the training more, but i also like racing. . i find that leading up to the race, i don't want to do it that much (a few days ahead), because my body typically feels worse after i take a couple days off (even though it is all rested and is better then before), and i think because racing requires me to put forth a lot of effort (driving to the race, camping or getting up early etc.).  but while i race, i have a ton of fun and have had some good results. .

i have been tri-training for a little over a year, and i have had a lot of fun with it.  before, i didn't have that many hobbies or anything i was that passionate about, but now i have a full-time addiction!   

I do this sport because it is fun and keeps me active. I've realized that I will never be able to win my age group, so I have changed my thinking about why I train and race. The race helps keep me on track with training and the training helps keep me active. I just want to have fun and not stress myself out over training or races. Races became much more fun when I just accepted that I wasn't as fast as others out there, essentially because I have so much going on in my life that I don't want to dedicate what is necessary to winning a triathlon.

My goals for doing this sport: have fun, be healthy, be a positive role model for my kids, and encourage other people to try it out! 

I started tri'ing this year after I heard some buddies talk about it...I decided to give it a whirl and really liked it. What I didn't expect was how much fun the training has become. I look forward to training now, almost as much as going to a triathlon.

Almost... 

How about the eating?  Can't the eating be a choice? I love being able to eat.

OK, so I guess I'm in the training camp, then.  Since training revs up my metabolism, and allows me to eat.  For me, the races are the incentive to train, since there is a deadline. But when I start to move, I generally enjoy it.  Plus with training rides at least, I can stop at the coffee shop for a refreshing coffee based beverage midway through my usual "long" route. Nobody ever offers me an icy mochachino in a race. 

The race is a goal that keeps me training but the races stress me out ! I can't wait for my last race to be done next month.   Sometimes I want to do other things (hiking, weights, rollerblade) but can't because I don't have the time or don't want to risk injury.( ie.  a hard upper body weight session may negatively impact a planned swim workout the next day).  After Sept I plan to do more different things and may concentrate on running races next year instead of tri's. 

I'd definately say I enjoy the training more.

I enjoy both, for different reasons.

Training I enjoy because I love running.  I like getting out there, I like having the time to go and engage in one of the simplest activities there is.

 I love racing because it's competition.  There's nothing like the single-minded focus for a race, that feeling of sliding along the knife's edge, the tactical application, the predatory nature of chasing others.

I race to keep me motivated to train.  I train to keep in shape, lose weight and be ready for snowboard season.  W/out the race, I dont think I would have trained as hard - Golf vs long bike ride?? race is two weeks away, bike ride it is.  I have fun at the race, but I know I wont be on the podium unless there are only two other ppl in my division.  But I do have fun w/ both.  The race for me is the reward for training and thats what makes it fun. 

My answer almost depends on when you ask me.  Some days I think I am more about the training and the race just keeps me motivated as there is a goal.

But the race is also fun - the whole experience - from traveling, the expo, socializing, to the adrenaline of race day and the push to go faster.

Not yet competitive in my age group, not sure if I ever will be, but I am having a blast, love that I can eat whatever I want (sometimes my answer is that I do tris so that I can eat more).  Since I plan to do this forever, maybe when I am 80 I will win my AG (cuz I will be the only one ;-)

This is my first season and I know I have a long way to go - my bike is way ahead of my run and swim (order of magnitude) which only makes me want to focus this winter and get better at those disciplines. 

Sunday is my first olympic distance race, and right now I am just about enjoying the experience - this being the biggest race there is (chicago accenture) it will be about the experience not about doing well.  I am already having fun seeing other triathletes in the hotel, on the bike path....

So to your query Kathy - I guess I like it all!