Do You Have To Be Obsessed To Be A Good AG'er? (Page 2)

I don't think obsessed.  Dedicated, disciplined yes, but not obsessed.  My big caveat is that, with other obligations (work, family, etc.) you've got to accept that sometimes everything (health, training, adequate sleep, etc.) will come together, and sometimes it won't.   This was my first season and I was only doing sprints.  I did two races and was solidly MOP in both.  I know that each race could have been better.  Work got really busy before each of them, and my training dropped off (in my free time from work it was a choice between training and family).   The point is had work not gotten quite so busy before either one and I had kept my training up, I'm pretty confident that I could have made a solid effort to be FOP (wouldn't have placed, but I think a good shot for top 15-30%).  If you can accept that for some races everything will come together and for some they won't, I think you can be a recreational but competitive triathlete.

also depends on your definition of competative...if you mean that you want to be on the podium it will take lots of work, some good genes and a healthy obsession won't hurt...

you can also be competative with yourself. ie.."I finished in 1:10 last race now I want to finish in 1:08" without concern for where you place amongst your AG, this still requires work but not that you outwork your competition.

also depends on your AG, the younger and older ag's have much fewer participants, vs for example some sprints I did this year in 35-39 ag with almost 80-100 racers...you can bet that the top ten finishers are totaly obsessed with tri's.

my 2 cents about whether there is time to be obsessed...I work full time, go to school full time, am married with a 4 year old son and I'm in the grips of a full blown obsession with triathlon. if you tell me you don't have time I'll tell you that you're making excuses.

For people that have asked for a definition of obsessed...

1. Ananlysing how much sleep you got each night and the quality of it.
2. Not putting anything in your mouth without knowing the carb, protein, fat ratio.
3. Logging all your training and food/water intake for the day.
4. Thinking about how you will alter your training plan for the next few days if something unexpected comes up.
5. Searching BT forums for the latest tips that will make you faster.
6. Throwing tandrums and getting insanely depressed when you get sick or injured.
7. Turing down time to hang out with friends because you have a workout.
8. Turning down jobs because they interfere with triathlon season.
9. Going to bicycle shops just so you can compare componentry for the price benefit even though you have enough bikes anyway.
10. Talking to swim squad members about their post recovery drinks and meals to get the best out of your workout and recovery.
11. Thinking about triathlon and your training when at school, work or home and can't get it out of your head.
12. Over analysing every aspect of your day and how it will affect your afternoon workout, recovery from morning workout.

Feel free to add some more, but thats just a rough sort of thing that I was leaning towards when I said obsessed.

Yes you do.

I think too many people look at 'obsessed' in a negative light.  You have to be obsessed to be a lawyer, a doctor, an entrepeneur, or a pro athlete.  Society has gives way too much credit for genetics and natural ability.  Even Lebron James worked his tail off.  Obviously AG'ers don't have quite the incentive like the others, but its still there.

Even in the lightest of training routines you have to be obsessive.  If you don't make your workouts a priority they tend not to happen. 

I have placed in bigger races AG and done worse in smaller ones. To answer your question, you don't really have to be obsessed more than you have to train smart and put the time in. Genetics are also a big part. Variable #1000 is what your personal genetics and time spent will equate to what distance you are competitive. I can be competitive at OLY but never HIM or IM. I will not spend the time to do it, and the HIM I have done take too much out of me to be 'good'. I have blown placing in races to pace some newb to the finish in the last 5k or less just to get them thru and that 'thank you' to me is better than an AG placing over some other desk jockey.

Seems lots of people are using genetics as an excuse.... just my 2 cents

Exactly...X2!  time does not equal obsession.  When I'm training, I'm training...when I'm not...I have have other stuff going on.  I find it soooo anoying when I see someone who talks triathlon morning/noon/night....get a life, sheesh!!!

Edited by bmcgee 2009-08-28 4:26 PM

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Using genetics as an excuse.  Well, to test that perhaps you might become obsessed for a few years, give it all you have, and then see how you stack up.  Most likely there will be a guy or two above. 

I did that with one sport (running).  With running, ultimately how much you can put your body through in a week becomes a limiting factor.  You can get to the point where durability and genetics define how good you can get.  Now I am adding the other two sports and am betting on a similar outcome - though tri sport inevitably will have time as a limiter.  I do not think it is a coincidence that the two best AG'rs in my area (old guys like me 45-49yo) can run standalone halfs in the 1:10 to 1:14 range and can do a 40K on the bike in the 52-55 min range and swim quite well though coming to the sport late in life (30 min 1.2mi HIM swims).  I really believe they are out of my league genetically and that's OK.  I do the best I can with what I got, but am realistic...obsess or not I doubt I could touch them.  There will always be someone faster.  Extreme effort and modest talent will always be out trumped by extreme talent and extreme (perhaps even modest) effort.  It is fun anyways, therefore I train and love it regardless of outcome.

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I think that, in the long run, you just have to enjoy swimming, biking and running.  It's a large part of our lifestyle, not an obsession.

I like seeing everyone's take on this subject. Surely we have entirely different circumstances, but thankfully share a similar passion which in many cases affects our lives in a positive manner.

cusetri seems to hit the nail on its head rather successfully in regards to your question. We seem to think similarly. I'd like to maybe address some things, too (just need a soap box!).

First, I would much rather be considered a capable triathlete for obsession (I prefer to use the word: DEDICATION), not genes. I don't care if ACTN3 is in my double helix or not. While the science of genetics will blow our minds each and every day, hard work...better yet...smart work in regards to training will produce results. Will you place in your AG? Ask any triathlete, they will tell you: it depends on who shows up, weather, etc. LIFESTYLE.

I don't remember the last time I watched television. $14 Wal-Mart rabbit ears from Texas don't fare well here in PG. Do I care? Not particularly--any TV I'm watching should probably be in one of three foreign languages. Today, I actually forgot it was my cheat day and passed up on some home-made brownies because I didn't want to spike my blood sugar before I go to sleep for my OWS the next morning. I've got so many passions, and they are all fighting for precedence, but right now my Wife, our majestic country, and fitness/health are paramount. How do I fit in science, snowboarding, surfing, restoring my baby (just ask if you really care), reading, art, music? Most times they have to wait. DEDICATION.  

When I go on a run with my unit, I always intend to be the first one finished, then run back to the last runner to finish with him/her. You're only as fast as your slowest teammate, therefore, I try to pass this facet of military service to those who will replace me someday. Some ackowledge that I usually bust my butt to be the first one finished. Most people love to tell me I run like a gazelle. I've also been called a raptor. Or, better yet, "You're just good at running." My favorite. I can assure you, I'm pushing myself harder than 75% (at a bare minimum) of the people out there. I fully understand the virtues of active recovery and do so as necessary. But they don't see me arise and eat a banana, then perform dynamic stretching. They don't see my quads lock up during my endurance swimming class Friday night because of my __ mile bike ride before sunrise that morning. Good for them.  Most times my advice will fall on deaf ears. I am always willing to offer it, though.

The Army and Triathlon are a good mix. Principles and standards can be swapped and often utilized in both areas. The Army does a swell job of issuing manuals, publications, etc. that most Soldiers will never know existed unless someone shows them. If any of you want some new ideas for fitness, or a tried and true method (it manages to works for thousands of Soldiers every year) of developing an effective nutritional plan search for FM 21-20. I am still learning things from this field manual! Find yourself a log and have fun.

People will tell me I am obessed with my career. Funny--hard work equates to obsession. How about some tenets of being a successful/obsessed triathlete? I met Macca at the Morgan Hill Sprint Triathlon, but I forgot to ask what that mystery super-performance supplement he trains with was, so here are some of my ideas adapted from an Army concept.

LOYALTY-- To your swim, your bike, and your run.
DUTY-- To do what must be done to succeed.
RESPECT-- Respect those who pass you. Don't forget volunteers/race managers.
SELFLESS SERVICE-- Help others realize the importance of fitness and health.
HONOR-- Honor those ahead of you, those behind you, and Chrissie Wellington.
INTEGRITY-- Learn the USAT rules. Don't violate them unless you want a 2:00 penalty or DQ.
PERSONAL COURAGE-- Have the courage to take risks for the sake of the mission. Ensure no one dies (only for triathlon) in doing so.

Sorry BTers...I remembered it was my cheat day and partook in a couple white russians.

1. yes 2. yes 3. yes........12. yes- all me

As others have already said, not obsessed, just dedicated.

To quote Herb Brooks (or at least his character in "Miracle"):

"This cannot be a team of common men, because common men go nowhere.
YOU have to be UNCOMMON"

I think you need to be driven.

but i would say this about any career path or anything really that you choose to take seriously.

some people are going to have one part or another easier, genetics, drive, motivation, what have you. but we all make choices on what we want to do with our lives, adn being very absorbed/taken up with one area, and then being pissed that you dont have time for another is not really fair in my eyes.

i could turn around and ask you the same thing about school/work, and if i needed to be obsessed to get anywhere with that.

i am choosing to spend a large part of my time right now training and seeing what i can do with this sport. i have no idea where that will lead, and how fast i might get. with that comes a lot of other things thing, namely for me a much tighter budget and needing to watch my spending much more closely, and not always having time for other things.

i am not obssed by your terms though, i track my training simply because it gives me a way to look back and see what works and what doesnt. i eat healthy but i am not crazy about it, and will go out with friends if the chance is there.

there are many times where i will go out and train with others, do their workouts, simply because i want ot train with other people.

i would not trade this for anything. i am slowly working towards the job of my dreams, and shooting for another dream as we speak. what you do with your life is your choice, and you have ot make choices about what and where you want to focus your energy and time. you can do it through a lot of smaller thigns, or a few larger, or go from one to another, but you cannot have it all.

ENP - HILARIOUS list hahaha

newbz (David right?) - Really inspirational remarks man.

A big word I see repeated here is "choice". I think the "obsession" question has a lot to do with other people judging your choices in a negative light. Some people might call you obsessed, but as David said, maybe you're just DRIVEN to succeed! This also hinges on your own personal definition of success in your endeavor...


Thoughts?

I like to simplify it all by saying "Dedicated"....as with anything else in life.  Even getting up and going to work every day of the week, not calling in sick, taking care of the kids, walking the dogs, being a good husband, biking, running, swimming, etc....and learning what's important and what's not, like watching TV is not important...for me anyway!

i agree with the dedication.

most of this is simply a balancing act of desires, goals, dedication to something.

some poeple are better at balancing many things, others do better with just a few as their focus, everyone is diff.

Obsessed, heck no, here is all you need:

Cervelo
White Bar Tape
No socks
Leave Shoes clipped in

Just kidding

I think what a lot of people on here that are top 3 finishers in their AG will and have said is that you just need to be dedicated and work hard when you train. You don't have to train 30 hours a week, well not for the Sprint/Oly people, but you need to train right. There are people on here with families, full time jobs who consistently place and are damn fast. It takes time (years, not weeks/months) and the drive to do better and train better. Of course, having a strong running or biking background helps, but that goes back to years or training.