Starting line or Finish line?

This is an excellent question and for everybody the answer will probably be different shades of grey.

Finishing a big race and accomplishing the goal that you set out for is a huge lift.

But it is an hour, 4 hours maybe even 13 hours or more but the time in the race is a very small slice of what people have put into it.  That coupled with the x factor on race day that may derail the race mid way or lead to a DNF, I would say that getting to the starting line (meeting training goals) is the bigger accomplishment.  Getting there says you put in the sweat and dedication.  You received many benefits from the work put in and the training is more controllable than the race.

I love finishing and finishing strong.  I know I felt bad in an early tri and at cross country districts when I suffered terrible side stitches and consequently had poor times.  I felt bad when I had a flat tire in a tri that caused me to run 6 miles to get to T2.  I became severely dehydrated in my first marathon and hit the wall - I finished in 3:48 and then took a trip to the ER.  I know would be crushed if I ever had a DNF.

However, I would feel worse if I lost my health and fitness level.  If I could not meet training goals, if I ran myself to injury, got lazy, leaned on excuses or had an avoidable crisis that prevented me form getting there.  i know for many beginners the starting line IS the race.  To those people my hat is off.  But I also love to stay and watch races until all of the finishers cross the line.  I get emotional when I see a middle aged marathoner cross teh line for her first time in 5:30.

So for me, while the finish line seems like a bigger deal.  i would be more heartbroken if I couldn't get to the start.  And for all of you who are training for your first Tri - you are my inspiration.  Live it.

Being at the starting line is my favorite part of every race. I love the excitement and the energy. I've never felt nervous at the start and look at races as chances to show the work that I've put in before getting to that point.

The finish line, for me, can have a lot of "what ifs." What if I ran more miles in training or pushed a little harder on the bike course? Would I have been faster?  I don't feel that way at the start. At the start, I feel like I've done what I could to prepare myself and it's time to show it

Wow great question.  I think I would have to go with the finish line overall.  It is hard to top the feeling after a great race and the high of completing a hard fought race.

That said the start line takes the cake for being that same rush everytime!

starting line,,  Depending on if it's my "A" race or not,, I'll be happy/nervous/ and just a twinge of disappointment since it will be over soon and I'll need to find a new goal, training partners etc.  but having all those emotions bubbling up to the surface is a great thing..

the finishing line is great also but in a totally different way, so really you can't lose...  It's like asking should I go out with the Super Model that has tons of cash this weekend or go out with the rich heiress that just looks like a super model...

great quote

I dunno... seems more about the finish to me.  A few days after the race, when I look back, I don't think to myself, "wow!  I started that race!!  that's awesome!!"  You don't see people listing in lists of accomplishments "4-time Ironman starter." 

I'd rather be a one-time Ironman finisher than an N-time starter.

This year, I'm out for the season.  Next year, sure I'll be glad when I start my first race after coming back from my Achilles tear, but the accomplishment won't be complete until I finish a race.  Not start one.  All I need to do to start a race is sign up, pay the fee, and show up.

A lot of you are express the way you "feel" when you finish.  There is no doubt it is better to finish than merely start but I think the point is not in the feeling but in the work that went into it. I'm with you - very competitive.  I don't even care if I win my age group much - I am after the overall awards -Not everyone is in that boat.

I have a friend who finished 20th out of 20 in the athena division of her first tri last year.

Did she feel great about finishing - YEAH.  Was it more significant to get to the starting line.  YES!

I think the starting line is more imortant to people trying to achieve a level of fitness in their lives that they have lost.  And I always remind friends and family that even if they are last in the race or even a DNF - they still beat the other 2 million peole who didn't get to the starting line. So my friend was really 20th out of 2,000,002.

I think a lot of it depends on your experience in endurance sports, the expectations for the event, the enormity of the event (IM or big marathon for example), and your level of preparedness.

For many newer athletes the start is the big thing because it is the thing that they have worked so hard to get to.  For the more experienced athletes I would think it is the finish as chances are, they will measure it against a similar race that they've done before and their expectations for the event.

Just some thought ......

Last year training for April IMAZ I got a grade III shoulder separation 10 weeks out.   All I wanted was to get to the start line.  I DNF'd

Getting to the finish line in November was MUCH sweeter

The start is sweet.

The next sweetest is when you know you are going to finish. 

The best is after the finish and before I look at the final results sheet.

The finish, no question.

The start is just a bunch of nerves (GOOD nerves), work, stress...  Just not fun for me at all.  I all think about is hearing the horn so we can start this thing.  THEN I'm at home with my training/racing.

The finish means it's done, I succeeded.  I can rest for a few days before starting up my next plan...

For me it is about the finish line. I think anyone can line up to do a race, but not all can finish the race.

I would also go a step further and say for me it is about finishing and meeting a goal (MY GOAL, NO ONE ELSES) Last year I had a full season under my belt and this year I am going to do the same exact schedule again. It will not be as great just lining up to do these races again, but it will be AWESOME to finish these races after a year of good solid training.