Do You Enjoy Training Or Not? (Page 4)

After a long layoff, the first few weeks back training sucks.  It's going to hurt, and I know it.  But once I get into the pattern of regular training I really do look forward to it and enjoy it.  Racing is good motivation to train, and is the measurement to know that training is effective.

Long runs/rides/swims can have  zen like result.

Sprints and hill climbs can be helpful as stress relief.

And hey, it's better than watching TV.

Ditto..

Swim and bike, yes.

Running - no, but I have a sense of accomplishment afterwards.

I love training and I need races to help keep me focused. I love the racing, too.

Hate every minute of training and racing.  But I like eating so I must train.

I love to race. Racing is fun. It makes me happy. Training, depends. I am in my final build week for my first ironman. I did not find joy in all those long, solo bike rides. If I mixed it up and rode with people for my longer rides, it was a lot better. In the meat of my build, I had serious workout dread and burnout going on. Now that the load is starting to lighten, I am feeling better. I would never do this kind of training without a race on the calendar, that's for sure!

Pam

I train every day, usually twice, and I race on average once a month.  If I didn't love training I wouldn't be doing this.  If I just liked the competition, there are tons of other sports I could do that don't take so much time training vs time competing.  I think you have to love training if you are going to stick with this sport for many years.  People who train for reasons other then their love of it tend to fizzle out and move to other sports or end up back on the couch.

I like being in shape, and I like the feeling of accomplishment after a workout, and especially a race. But as for feeling exhilarated when out running or climbing hills or swimming... it just doesn't happen for me. I feel hot, out-of-breath and uncomfortable. I keep going because I know I'll be glad I did it when it's over... and so I don't embarrass myself or collapse during the race I spent $85 to enter.