What is your motivation??

Being in shape feels awesome.  To be in shape, I need to work out consistently.  To work out consistently, I need to be motivated.  To be motivated, I need to have goals.  Enter triathlon.

Oh, and I am super competitive and triathlon feeds my competitive spirit....even though I am usually MOP/BOP.

I was thinking about this today actually.  Originally I have no idea what my motivation was, it just seemed like a fun thing to do I think.  Now it's because I've had so much trouble with injuries (and useless doctors who keep telling me that I shouldn't run) that I'm a) pi$$ed off and b) feel I shouldn't waste my good health just sitting around doing nothing.

Something like that anyway.

• Because I like doing things that many people think are hard or difficult. 
• I like that my wife is proud of me.  I like what it has done for my body and health.  In fact, I would probably train even if I didn't have races. 
• I have always dreamed of doing and IM as far back as I can remember IM existed. 
• To buck the odds and show that someone who doesn't fit the stereotypical image of an endurance athlete can still be competitive.

My motivation?

Well, it's either suck it up and train, or...

Floppy Man Boobs

I want that IM tattoo and one more thing to cross off the '1000 things to do before you die!' list. 

Todd

1. Being in shape

2. Motivating others to be in a shape (not including round as a shape here)

3. but mostly so I can eat more  

Actually, one of my biggest motivating factors is the clients I care for in a long term care facility, many of whom are severely physically debilitated. I constantly remind myself how lucky I am to be healthy, and to not take it for granted and let my unlimited mobility "go to waste".

Essentially, I run and cycle: because I can. So I do. Because how regretful would it be for me to look back and wish I had. I had an elderly client ask me awhile ago if I was a runner; I'm not sure how she knew, but I replied that I was. She thought for a moment and replied, "I wish I had taken the time to run when I could, back when I had use of my legs. Keep running as long as you can". 

So I will. 

My motivation is staying on top of the game.  Then moving to another game. Then winning at that game. Then staying on top of that game...

That and I want to qualify for the World Championships in each event at each distance.

Best answer. I started to do it to get in shape. Got back into it recently because I had gotten out of it so long I was out of shape again.  And I like to eat. But sometimes, being north of 40, I think about not wasting years not doing things.  Plus I just passed the age my father had his first heart attack, and in the back of my mind, I count every year that goes by as one more that I can be more active than he was, and enjoy my life.