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Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
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If I'm not on the podium, the race was a failure24 Votes - [21.05%]
WOO HOO! Another finisher's medal!90 Votes - [78.95%]

2014-04-16 11:20 AM

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Subject: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
Title says it all. Are you into endurance sports & triathlons to win or are you into them for the simple satisfaction of completing a race? Clearly we all want to get better & push ourselves to do our best or we wouldn't be on BT, but are you competing against yourself & goals you set or are you competing against the field & going for a podium?

I say this because I occasionally see threads where speeds of people in my AG are mentioned as being just OK & I know that my speeds will never get that fast. I like to set personal goals & if I happen to work my way up the ranks, so be it, but for me, just finishing a race with a time that I deem to be good for myself is sufficient.

So what say you?


2014-04-16 11:36 AM
in reply to: Guest

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
Winning is fun.
2014-04-16 11:40 AM
in reply to: MonkeyClaw

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?

I race to win, but way to couch your question to make it seem bad to feel that way.

2014-04-16 11:43 AM
in reply to: MonkeyClaw

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
What about a middle option? I do them for fun and to try to better my times, but I also do them to compete. I may not make the podium, yet I do like chasing down other people and comparing my times to the other people at the race.
2014-04-16 11:50 AM
in reply to: MechEChick

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?

It would be great if I had the ability to win but I do not.  I exercise for mental health and racing is part of the fun.The races would be pretty darn small if only the top 2% of people participating continued to race because the other 98% of us could not win so we quit.  From a health standpoint I think the attitude of "why bother if I/ you can't win" is a terrible one.  We are a nation of obese and overweight people. ANYTHING to get ANYONE off the couch and moving more is a good thing. 

2014-04-16 11:52 AM
in reply to: MechEChick

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
Originally posted by MechEChick

What about a middle option? I do them for fun and to try to better my times, but I also do them to compete. I may not make the podium, yet I do like chasing down other people and comparing my times to the other people at the race.


Agree, there should be a middle option. I try to podium at local and regional races, but if I place 4th or 5th and I gave everything I had, the race is not a failure at all.


2014-04-16 11:53 AM
in reply to: dmiller5

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
Originally posted by dmiller5
I race to win, but way to couch your question to make it seem bad to feel that way.


I don't see where I tried to make anyone feel bad about wanting to win. I asked the question pretty straightforward & then stated where I stand.

I know people who are very good, very fast, and very competitive & I think that's awesome. I'm not saying I'm not competitive, but I also know that I'm not running a half marathon at a 7:00 pace anytime soon. So for me, a podium spot isn't even on my horizon.
2014-04-16 11:53 AM
in reply to: Guest

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
I said win, but it is more nuanced than that, but closer than just for fun and finishing....

I strive to be on the podium, but am usually 4th or 5th in my AG, so making it onto the podium is not my measure of success. I measure sucess by hitting or besting my goal pace times per event plus having good transitions and making good mental decisions. My actual place in my AG is too dependent on who else shows up that day plus my current conditioning, which I factor into my goals. The only way a race would be a complete failure for me is if I DNF.
2014-04-16 11:55 AM
in reply to: MechEChick

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?

I used to race to win, then I came back and raced for fun.....then I thought I'd like to try to win again....then I thought better of it since it didn't seem worth all of the work it would have taken to get back to some fast times (and not as much fun).......now I just workout and watch my kids race.  I enjoy being around the sport, and I think there's room for everyone. 

Still, I think when my kids are grown a kayak and a fishing pole sounds more appealing.

2014-04-16 11:55 AM
in reply to: davidfedez

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
Originally posted by davidfedez
Originally posted by MechEChick
What about a middle option? I do them for fun and to try to better my times, but I also do them to compete. I may not make the podium, yet I do like chasing down other people and comparing my times to the other people at the race.

Agree, there should be a middle option. I try to podium at local and regional races, but if I place 4th or 5th and I gave everything I had, the race is not a failure at all.


Good point & if I could edit the poll, I would put a middle option of "I try for the podium every time, but if I miss it, hey, I still finished!"
2014-04-16 11:58 AM
in reply to: Meathead

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?

"winning" and "fun" aren't mutually exclusive. 

I don't like when things get phrased this way - it makes it seem like that in order to be a FOP triathlete, you can't have fun. 



2014-04-16 12:00 PM
in reply to: ratherbeswimming

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?

Originally posted by ratherbeswimming

"winning" and "fun" aren't mutually exclusive. 

I don't like when things get phrased this way - it makes it seem like that in order to be a FOP triathlete, you can't have fun. 

This answers your question meathead.

I race to win, but if I don't win that doesn't mean I failed. If I went out, gave it my all, and executed my race plan I succeeded. You can't control who shows up and what kind of day they have; you can control your own day.

2014-04-16 12:01 PM
in reply to: Guest


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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?

For fun. 

 

I'm under no illusion that the main reason I podium is because a weak field shows up. Sure, you still can't be BBOP to podium even in a weak field, but go to a race that draws national-level AGers (and pros) and watch yourself get blown away in the timing. I still like the awards, but it really is all about who shows up. 

2014-04-16 12:01 PM
in reply to: ratherbeswimming

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?

Originally posted by ratherbeswimming

"winning" and "fun" aren't mutually exclusive. 

I don't like when things get phrased this way - it makes it seem like that in order to be a FOP triathlete, you can't have fun. 

Funny, I always look at it the other way.....like "you know you aren't winning so are you just having fun?"

I agree it can/should be both......but for the poeple who win alot, it's not always as much fun as it seems.  They may love the sport, but fun can be elusive in hour 4 of a hard training day.

2014-04-16 12:15 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?

Originally posted by ratherbeswimming

"winning" and "fun" aren't mutually exclusive. 

I don't like when things get phrased this way - it makes it seem like that in order to be a FOP triathlete, you can't have fun. 

Conversely, it could be interpreted that if you're having fun, you're not trying to compete (with yourself or others). The wording was a bit slanted.

I race with the #1 priority of having fun. But at the same time I also focus on doing my best for that particular day and typically have a goal time to meet or beat.



Edited by lisac957 2014-04-16 12:16 PM
2014-04-16 12:17 PM
in reply to: Left Brain

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
Originally posted by Left Brain

Originally posted by ratherbeswimming

"winning" and "fun" aren't mutually exclusive. 

I don't like when things get phrased this way - it makes it seem like that in order to be a FOP triathlete, you can't have fun. 

Funny, I always look at it the other way.....like "you know you aren't winning so are you just having fun?"

I agree it can/should be both......but for the poeple who win alot, it's not always as much fun as it seems.  They may love the sport, but fun can be elusive in hour 4 of a hard training day.




I guess I go back to a conversation I had with a PGA Tour golfer a few years ago that lives here in Atlanta. He was very high in the rankings & money lists. I asked if, when he missed the cut at the Tour Championship (which is played in Atlanta) or at the Masters if he still went down to watch the final rounds given his proximity & access. He replied that if he's out, he is gone. He doesn't stick around because, for him, if he's not competing to win, it's not fun.

I know that doesn't apply to everyone, and I'm not implying that anyone here fits that line of thinking, but it's something I have heard more often than not from those who compete at the top of their class.


2014-04-16 12:20 PM
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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?

Originally posted by Meathead
Originally posted by Left Brain

Originally posted by ratherbeswimming

"winning" and "fun" aren't mutually exclusive. 

I don't like when things get phrased this way - it makes it seem like that in order to be a FOP triathlete, you can't have fun. 

Funny, I always look at it the other way.....like "you know you aren't winning so are you just having fun?"

I agree it can/should be both......but for the poeple who win alot, it's not always as much fun as it seems.  They may love the sport, but fun can be elusive in hour 4 of a hard training day.

I guess I go back to a conversation I had with a PGA Tour golfer a few years ago that lives here in Atlanta. He was very high in the rankings & money lists. I asked if, when he missed the cut at the Tour Championship (which is played in Atlanta) or at the Masters if he still went down to watch the final rounds given his proximity & access. He replied that if he's out, he is gone. He doesn't stick around because, for him, if he's not competing to win, it's not fun. I know that doesn't apply to everyone, and I'm not implying that anyone here fits that line of thinking, but it's something I have heard more often than not from those who compete at the top of their class.

Yep.  There are quite a few folks that win a lot who are driven to win.  Coming up short is not always fun for them.  Everything in life is a trade off, yeah?



Edited by Left Brain 2014-04-16 12:20 PM
2014-04-16 12:25 PM
in reply to: Left Brain

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
Oh jeez. I really suck. I don't do them to win or have fun.

I do them for the sense of accomplishment. I do them because it is rewarding to have a goal to work towards, and I like that in the case of tris, there is a direct relationship between how hard (and smart) you work and tge end result. Not everything in life is like that

2014-04-16 12:26 PM
in reply to: Left Brain

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
No other options?

I enjoy challenging myself but will hardly ever win unless there is very soft competition.

I also agree with others that "winning" and "fun" shouldn't be mutually exclusive-- if we aren't doing it for fun, winning or not, what's this for? Status? Money? Not many of us can make a living off of racing.
2014-04-16 12:27 PM
in reply to: Left Brain

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?

If most folks were out to win, fields would be much smaller.  When I start a race, I know I won't win and I suspect most other athletes know that as well.

I believe most triathlete have the goal of doing the best they can which can mean beating a previous time, or some other target other than winning.

2014-04-16 12:31 PM
in reply to: Guest

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
Originally posted by Meathead

Title says it all. Are you into endurance sports & triathlons to win or are you into them for the simple satisfaction of completing a race? Clearly we all want to get better & push ourselves to do our best or we wouldn't be on BT, but are you competing against yourself & goals you set or are you competing against the field & going for a podium?

I say this because I occasionally see threads where speeds of people in my AG are mentioned as being just OK & I know that my speeds will never get that fast. I like to set personal goals & if I happen to work my way up the ranks, so be it, but for me, just finishing a race with a time that I deem to be good for myself is sufficient.

So what say you?


I think some additional options would be good... like are you internally or externally motivated? And are you process or outcome oriented?

Elite athletes are actually more process oriented...with good outcomes. I am process oriented but will never bet the fastest. I like to think I have a lot of things in common with elite athletes aside from the speed itself.

I actually don't even compete for fun or to win, I compete to see if I can perform my best and stay intact with my mental game and physical conditioning while pushing my limits. Sometimes when I do that...I get a podium spot and that's motivating as well, like last weekend (nevermind the small field)

it's an intricate question.


2014-04-16 12:34 PM
in reply to: AdventureBear

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
It matters not how I place. If I cross the line, I win.
2014-04-16 12:36 PM
in reply to: Guest

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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
I choose events that interest me. If I happen to do well, great. If not, I've at least chosen an event that interests me. Being a lousy, almost nonexistent swimmer, I could only come near the podium on a triathlon if (1) the fast people didn't race (2) it's a super-sprint, and I can make up the lost time on the bike and run. That's happened exactly once in all my triathlons.
2014-04-16 12:46 PM
in reply to: switch


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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
Originally posted by switch

Oh jeez. I really suck. I don't do them to win or have fun.

I do them for the sense of accomplishment. I do them because it is rewarding to have a goal to work towards



This.

I'm doing this to do it. I'm not going to win because I completely lack anything approximating athletic prowess. If I fantasize about doing well, it's a fantasy of finishing somewhere in the middle, as opposed to the bottom 25%. I don't actually anticipate it being fun in the sense that I'm going to be grinning ear to ear. It could happen, but I doubt it.

Forgive me a digression: I knit. Two years ago, I decided to knit my first lace shawl. Knitting lace is difficult. A lot of knitters don't bother. It's thin yarn, small-to-medium needles, patterns can be devilishly intricate, they take weeks to complete (months, if it's something large), and one mistake can be devastating (losing anywhere from hours of work to the entire project). So I'm sitting on the couch, ripping out 20 rows of 500+ stitches for the fourth time, watching my very expensive yarn get more and more frayed. My husband asked me if I thought about taking up a more relaxing hobby, like juggling chainsaws? Heh. Nope.

It's not fun. But it's a challenge, and that represents a kind of reward that isn't quite fun, but something next door to it.

(tl;dr: see, Flow by Mihaly Csikzentsmihiyali)
2014-04-16 12:52 PM
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Subject: RE: Do you do triathlons to win or do you do them for fun?
I wont win. Not with my desire to balance family life and work.

I race against my age group. So getting into the top 50% or 25% of my age group brings me immense satisfaction.

I am also racing against the 300lb lump of lard I used to be who could not tie his shoe laces without getting short of breath.

I am planning to train for triathlon and running so that I can do it well into my old age. a few podiums might be possible then when my AG only has 3 entries :-)

Edited by badmo77a 2014-04-16 12:52 PM
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