Train to race or race to train?

race to train. Without a race, i wouldn't train nearly as hard or often. I like setting time goals for upcoming races. I then know that I need to get out an train to hit those.

I'm an FOP guy who is definitely a "race to train" type. But I'm just wired to "race" whatever it is that I'm doing (athletically).

Race to train. I have zero chance of a podium finish in a triathlon, but having ponied up the cash for one is a big motivator to get out of bed before everyone else and put on the spandex.

Race to train. Nothing like the possibility of being mortified in public for DNFing from lack of training, or knowing you let yourself down from laziness, to motivate you to get out there and do it.

I've always had a problem motivating myself to get in shape, but seeing a race date on the calendar approaching helps. I slacked real bad before my first race and boy did it show. I'm sure I looked like a sad sack and that my lack of training showed to everyone, but what really bothered me was that I knew I let myself down. It almost made me quit the swim, but I'm glad I didn't drop that far. NOT gonna happen again.

I'll continue to put races on my calendar because that's the easy part. It's real simple to say I can do that and click the mouse. The real test is seeing it through. I know I have to much pride to be a no-show, so that leaves only one alternative: train.

Can I say both?  Like everyone else, I use the races to motivate me in training.  I started training to get back in shape.  I find that when I race, I want to race.  I want a better time every time.  I train harder and differently because I enjoy racing than I would if I was just trying to get in shape.  If I was just training for fitness, I would dump all track work, hill work and lose the watch.

I guess I'm Train to Race if I understand this properly and I am FOP.

Racing and success at racing is a result of the training, but it's the training that I love and I am drawn to. Racing is icing on the cake of itness and health, but if I couldn't race another race starting today, I would still train just as much. I love it, I love the routine, I love the feelings I get pre, during, and post workout. I love it when I just want to stay home but somehow get on my bike and 30 min later I am flying down the road with a smile on my face. I even like collecting and tracking all my data, I never find it a burden.

I think this is why I have been so succesful at racing. I don't know anyone who trains as consistantly as I do.

Edited by bryancd 2008-05-09 10:01 AM

I do both as well. I usually have an A race as a goal, but along with my regular training I do many other races, so while I am training for that A race I am also racing as part of that training. Racing often allows me to push myself much harder than I can do when I'm just training on my own and it allows me to try out new things to see if they'll work for the A race in racing conditions.

I enjoy the training part much more than the racing part. I just choose races so I can rationalize the fact that I dedicate more time to training than the average person.

My approach to all of this is to go about it in a way that will allow me to race until at least my 50's.  I just love being in shape enough to pick up an activity (xc ski, hike, tennis) and not worry about getting out of breath.
 

Edited by DMW 2008-05-09 10:14 AM

I guess I'm in the race to train camp. I LOVE training for so many reasons not the least of which is that it just makes me happy! Have to race to justify the hours spent on training. I would just not push myself enough if I didn't have those race dates looming ominously on my calender.

I'm a race to train type. I'm a middle of the pack triathlete.

I'm MOP, and sometimes FOMOP, but won't get to FOP without someone strapping an outboard on me.  I definitely race to train.  Heck, I even just train to train.  Up until this year, I've never really trained to race, but this year, for a couple of events, I'm going to train to race, to see if I can place (5k, 10-miler).

I am definitely love the training. I would train and work out just as hard without the idea of a race there, then I would with a race. Although the races are fun for me and I thoroughly enjoy them.

As my wife would say, I am completely addicted to my work outs and training. I always reply, I could be addicted to sitting in the corner bar with all the other neighbors drinking myself into a stooper every night! She tends to ease up on me a bit after that! LOL

A little of each. I train in order to have faster and more efficient races, but there are points in the peak of a season when a race can bu used as an oppurtunity to train. You can think of a triathlon as a glorified Brick workout

race to train.... to a point.  I would be doing something else (maybe even s/b/r!) but it wouldn't be as focused....

x2 and I'm BOP. Because I don't have an athletic background, I still really feel unfamiliar with the whole idea of racing, but everything bryancd mentions about training I can still feel just like a podium finisher. (ok maybe "just like" is a little strong, but relative to my abilities I suppose).

Edited by watsonrm 2008-05-09 2:04 PM

I love training. Races are an acquired taste to me. I spent too many years as a professional dancer and just don't really enjoy competition all that much any more. Plus, I suck at tris!! But I love watching the sun come up while running or biking, I love the limited time I get to train. And I need to exhaust myself every day otherwise I'm a basket case. So my focus is definitely training at this point in time. could it change? Sure.

Both.

I started running again after about a ten year layoff as a way to support my weightloss efforts. There was no thought of racing at the time. Hell, I wasn't even sure I could run anymore. And I'd still run even if I gave up tris and marathons...it's good for me and I'm committed enough to my well-being that I don't need the carrot of a race to keep me getting out there everyday.

That said, like others have said about themselves, I've got a hypercompetitive streak and enjoy the way racing provides me an opportunity to push my limits and see how I stack up against others. I'm not an FOPer but any means, but I've progressed enough that I do organize my training around race goals now.

Edited by tcovert 2008-05-09 2:39 PM

This user's post has been ignored.

It's funny. I was going to start a thread about this the other day.

I definitely race to train. I'm a MOP racer, and I'm thankful for that. But signing up for a race pushes me to do the training. I could get pretty lazy without having some goal that gets me up and out of my chair.