login
My definition of "winning" my future HIM
-
No new posts
 2009-08-25 3:06 PM |
Extreme Veteran  425  |  Subject: My definition of "winning" my future HIMIt is funny to follow the other posts and people arguing back and forth about FOP this and BOP that and well if you don't podium you aren't a winner...Well I tell you, I am going to train like mad between now and my HIM in Florida next May and based on the times I see the "podium" people come in I will not be there...HOWEVER, I believe I will win if I do not stop at any point in the race. If I am forced to stop at any point then I will not consider a win. That is just me and the emphasis I put on an Ironman (or Half) race. As has been said before, I could just finish, barring an accident, but to me that will not be the same as not stopping the entire time. This is the same goal that I hope to bring with me when I do a full ironman at some point. Does this lessen my accomplishment just because I didn't end up on the podium? I don't think so. I also think that if someone gets to the run and they are just done and their goal is to finish then if they finish they have won!! If others feel for them that they must be on the podium then so be it. What is with people having to push their value of the word win on others? So, everyone, put on here your idea of what a "win" would be in your next race or your goal race and keep that in mind. You are the one who matters when setting goals...don't let others set them for you... |
| 2009-08-25 3:16 PM in reply to: #2370071 |
Veteran 217 Alexandria, VA | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM I wanna beat those elitist FOP SOBs and leave before those sorry BOP also-rans show up. Had to be done. I'm kidding. Really! Good points, seriously. As for me: Nations Tri, Sept. 13 - sub 2:35 would be a win. |
| 2009-08-25 3:16 PM in reply to: #2370071 |
Expert 763 Behind you | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM dewcubs - You are the one who matters when setting goals...don't let others set them for you... Very well said. |
| 2009-08-25 3:17 PM in reply to: #2370071 |
| Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM Being on injured reserve for the next four months, my goal for my next one is to.... wait for it.... finish. Hopefully 2010 sometime. If anyone has a problem with that, I'll meet you in the alley after chemistry class....... |
| 2009-08-25 3:40 PM in reply to: #2370071 |
| Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM I almost afraid to say this. I wish you the best of luck, and I would bet you are a better triathlete than I am... but unless you are on the highest step on the podium, you are not a winner (by my definition). But thats just it right. What is my understanding of "winning". If you meet your goals, you will have an amazing personal acomplishment. One to be praised and commended and you will be a wonderful role model to many people- myself included. I think this whole debate comes down to pragmatics though. We use different words to define the actions- I mean some use "win" and I use "acomplishment". But when you ask us to explain what that word means, very often you get the same explination... just a different single word to define it. I for one, am a BOP'er and I do wish to be MOP at some point. I do not strive for the podium because it is an unatainable goal for me at this point. For this reason, I will always be proud of my acomplishments, and overcomming my challenges, but I will never concider myself a winner... I do not have any less respect or admiraiton for those who enter a race with a goal that is not to win. I respect them as competators and as a person who has made a great lifestyle decision. I guess a good example is of those folks with physical challenges that finish the iron man. I can't describe how proud of them and how much I admire their spirit and determination. I respect them finishing more than I do the person from the elite wave that finishes in the shortest amout of time... but by my definition of "win" only one of them is a winner, the other one is an amazing human being worthy of more than a title and a gold disc... no disrespect, no looking down at anyone, just a different word to define the exact way that you feel... |
| 2009-08-25 4:09 PM in reply to: #2370167 |
| Regular 59 | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM chandy14ski - 2009-08-25 3:40 PM I almost afraid to say this. I wish you the best of luck, and I would bet you are a better triathlete than I am... but unless you are on the highest step on the podium, you are not a winner (by my definition). But thats just it right. What is my understanding of "winning". If you meet your goals, you will have an amazing personal acomplishment. One to be praised and commended and you will be a wonderful role model to many people- myself included. I think this whole debate comes down to pragmatics though. We use different words to define the actions- I mean some use "win" and I use "acomplishment". But when you ask us to explain what that word means, very often you get the same explination... just a different single word to define it. I for one, am a BOP'er and I do wish to be MOP at some point. I do not strive for the podium because it is an unatainable goal for me at this point. For this reason, I will always be proud of my acomplishments, and overcomming my challenges, but I will never concider myself a winner... I do not have any less respect or admiraiton for those who enter a race with a goal that is not to win. I respect them as competators and as a person who has made a great lifestyle decision. I guess a good example is of those folks with physical challenges that finish the iron man. I can't describe how proud of them and how much I admire their spirit and determination. I respect them finishing more than I do the person from the elite wave that finishes in the shortest amout of time... but by my definition of "win" only one of them is a winner, the other one is an amazing human being worthy of more than a title and a gold disc... no disrespect, no looking down at anyone, just a different word to define the exact way that you feel... I was gonna answer the OP's question, and then I read this, and after all of the posts this morning that seem to spark arguments, had to think for a moment. So for the sake of semantics, I'll answer a slightly different question than the OP asked, but is maybe in keeping in mind the original intent of the question (not that I can read minds or anything). So, I'll rephrase the question and ask, what is my goal for my next race, and how will I know that I've successfully achieved that goal, so that I can feel proud of my accomplishment? My answer, is that I have a couple of goals that I'm working on, and if I achieve anyone of them, I'll know that that particular race was a success. So here are a couple of my goals: 1. At next sprint, I want to achieve a sub 30 5k time (no not a typo, I'm super BOP for running). 2. I want to be in the top 3rd in my AG in my transitions (they've been pretty slow so far, and I'm working on them). 3. I want to swim an OW 800m in 16 minutes (again not blazing fast, but improvement for me). If I do any of those things in my next sprint, I will know that I worked towards and achieved an important goal of mine. But no, I'm sure I won't be winning anything, other than a well deserved sense of pride and accomplishment, with those achievements. Erica |
| 2009-08-25 4:14 PM in reply to: #2370071 |
Champion 5376 PA | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM Can we really call people who overthinking this topic too much "winners?" Sounds like they are stressing about the personal definition of a word too much. I'll make my own determination and I won't share it. That steals debate from my adversary and hence makes me a "winner" by default. Then I'll go compete... and lose. I mean win. |
| 2009-08-25 4:18 PM in reply to: #2370071 |
Expert 1690 | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM I will sit on the starting line to protest competitive spirit |
| 2009-08-25 4:26 PM in reply to: #2370071 |
Extreme Veteran 3177 | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM I set a goal, if I meet that goal, then I am happy with my results and proud of my accomplishment, if I dont, I have something more to work on. For the OP I am curious what "not stopping" means to you. Does that mean you dont stop in the swim and hang onto a kayak for a second and that you do not walk on the run? What if you get a flat time on the bike because of something you ran over? Does stopping to fix a flat count as not stopping? Or is it giving into that feeling of just wanting to give up that you call stopping? I know it has no bearing on how I see you as a finisher, I just want to know how you define that so that, at the end of the race, you know if you were a winner or not, in your book? |
| 2009-08-25 4:42 PM in reply to: #2370071 |
Member 210 | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM If you ask me, I think the argument over who is a "Winner" is dumb. I mean, technically, there's the first Male and first Female finishers, and they are certainly the "Winners." Everyone else is really just a "Finisher." But none of that really matters. They're just labels, and one can argue all day long as to the definition of "Winner." If you're not the first finisher, the discussion becomes, "who is the Next-Best Finisher?" HOWEVER, I think everyone will agree on the definition of "Loser." The loser is the one that doesn't even TRY. Or worse, the ones that give up just because its hard. To everyone that makes that effort to finish, to everyone that pushes themselves longer and harder than they ever have, and to everyone who changes their entire lifestyle to accomplish something that so few people in the world have accomplished, who cares if you finish 2nd or 902nd? Hold your head up and proudly say, "I did that, and I didn't quit."  |
| 2009-08-25 4:48 PM in reply to: #2370282 |
Pro 3906 Libertyville, IL | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM mkarr0110 - 2009-08-25 4:18 PM I will sit on the starting line to protest competitive spirit I bet I can sit on the starting line to protest competive spirit longer!  |
| 2009-08-25 4:50 PM in reply to: #2370071 |
Champion 7558 Albuquerque, New Mexico | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM I've got no problem with the defining what you want to accomplish and training with that purpose (that's the heart of the thread I started not long ago). On race day, graciously accept whatever the day offers you. Sometimes, the best you can hope for is to salvage a "just finish" and that can seem unpalatable at the time. A good night's rest, maybe some food, and the love and adoration from your spouse/child/parent/friend/dog/cat will clarify how you feel about your experience. |
| 2009-08-25 5:00 PM in reply to: #2370167 |
| Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM chandy14ski - 2009-08-25 1:40 PM I almost afraid to say this. I wish you the best of luck, and I would bet you are a better triathlete than I am... but unless you are on the highest step on the podium, you are not a winner (by my definition). But thats just it right. What is my understanding of "winning". If you meet your goals, you will have an amazing personal acomplishment. One to be praised and commended and you will be a wonderful role model to many people- myself included. I think this whole debate comes down to pragmatics though. We use different words to define the actions- I mean some use "win" and I use "acomplishment". But when you ask us to explain what that word means, very often you get the same explination... just a different single word to define it. I for one, am a BOP'er and I do wish to be MOP at some point. I do not strive for the podium because it is an unatainable goal for me at this point. For this reason, I will always be proud of my acomplishments, and overcomming my challenges, but I will never concider myself a winner... I do not have any less respect or admiraiton for those who enter a race with a goal that is not to win. I respect them as competators and as a person who has made a great lifestyle decision. I guess a good example is of those folks with physical challenges that finish the iron man. I can't describe how proud of them and how much I admire their spirit and determination. I respect them finishing more than I do the person from the elite wave that finishes in the shortest amout of time... but by my definition of "win" only one of them is a winner, the other one is an amazing human being worthy of more than a title and a gold disc... no disrespect, no looking down at anyone, just a different word to define the exact way that you feel... Dude.... he didn't ask you for your opinion as to what is a win to him. He asked what your opinion as to YOUR definition of a win would be. This is the problem with threads like this. Characterization of other people's goals. I really don't understand the motivation. Now, had you said "for me, first place is a win." I got not problem with that (and it answers the question) |
| 2009-08-25 5:07 PM in reply to: #2370359 |
Elite 4048 Gilbert, Az. | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM ChrisM - 2009-08-25 3:00 PM Dude.... he didn't ask you for your opinion as to what is a win to him. He asked what your opinion as to YOUR definition of a win would be. This is the problem with threads like this. Characterization of other people's goals. I really don't understand the motivation. Now, had you said "for me, first place is a win." I got not problem with that (and it answers the question) For me, I characterize a win as being able to kick multiple opponents in the head multiple times. I leave it to you to determine if I am talking about the swim leg or martial arts. :D :D :D Seriously though, for triathlon, my goal is AG podium. I have yet to achieve it this year, but my times are getting better. (He11, my first sprint this year I improved 7ish minutes over my time last year and DROPPED two place!) so for now, I'm at least satisfied. For martial arts, different goals apply, especially since I'm in a new division and one of my opponents is the sparring instructor at our school.  (plus two other former sparring world champions that are also school owners. Being a high rank kinda sucks.) There I'm happy to score a point now and again.  John |
| 2009-08-25 6:41 PM in reply to: #2370341 |
| Member 39 Eagle River, Alaska | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM jszat - 2009-08-25 1:48 PM mkarr0110 - 2009-08-25 4:18 PM I will sit on the starting line to protest competitive spirit I bet I can sit on the starting line to protest competive spirit longer! Funniest thing I've read/heard in weeks! |
| 2009-08-25 9:14 PM in reply to: #2370359 |
| Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM Sorry if I missed the mark for you there. I thought I did a good job of explaining that I thought winning was- well being the first person across. But thats just MY definition. The way others define it is different, but its just a label. I don't think everyone who finishes after the very first person is a "loser" just not a winner. Frankly I admire everyone who enters. I marvel at the elite folks and I think the AG'ers I have net (in my one single sprint tri) are fantastic. I define winning differently than other folks, and that's OK. It's all personal achievement and goals conqured... call it whatever you want. And for what it's worth, I have no motivation to ever look down my nose at anyone or to incorrectly characterize anyone elses goals... It's tough to have a post read they way you are saying it in your head. |
| 2009-08-25 9:26 PM in reply to: #2370484 |
Elite 3683 Whispering Pines, North Carolina | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM Kelly0639 - 2009-08-25 7:41 PM jszat - 2009-08-25 1:48 PM mkarr0110 - 2009-08-25 4:18 PM I will sit on the starting line to protest competitive spirit I bet I can sit on the starting line to protest competive spirit longer! Funniest thing I've read/heard in weeks! haha i'm chuckling reading this, too. Winning means coming in first...attaining personal goals is not winning. sure, you meet your goals, you're a hero to somebody, you're a hero to yourself...but you're not first. Sorry. I'll never win...I'll just attain my goals. Edited by tri_d00d 2009-08-25 9:31 PM |
| 2009-08-25 10:07 PM in reply to: #2370263 |
Expert 632 Cornfields of Illinois | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM hussybowler5000 - 2009-08-25 4:09 PM chandy14ski - 2009-08-25 3:40 PM I almost afraid to say this. I wish you the best of luck, and I would bet you are a better triathlete than I am... but unless you are on the highest step on the podium, you are not a winner (by my definition). But thats just it right. What is my understanding of "winning". If you meet your goals, you will have an amazing personal acomplishment. One to be praised and commended and you will be a wonderful role model to many people- myself included. I think this whole debate comes down to pragmatics though. We use different words to define the actions- I mean some use "win" and I use "acomplishment". But when you ask us to explain what that word means, very often you get the same explination... just a different single word to define it. I for one, am a BOP'er and I do wish to be MOP at some point. I do not strive for the podium because it is an unatainable goal for me at this point. For this reason, I will always be proud of my acomplishments, and overcomming my challenges, but I will never concider myself a winner... I do not have any less respect or admiraiton for those who enter a race with a goal that is not to win. I respect them as competators and as a person who has made a great lifestyle decision. I guess a good example is of those folks with physical challenges that finish the iron man. I can't describe how proud of them and how much I admire their spirit and determination. I respect them finishing more than I do the person from the elite wave that finishes in the shortest amout of time... but by my definition of "win" only one of them is a winner, the other one is an amazing human being worthy of more than a title and a gold disc... no disrespect, no looking down at anyone, just a different word to define the exact way that you feel... I was gonna answer the OP's question, and then I read this, and after all of the posts this morning that seem to spark arguments, had to think for a moment. So for the sake of semantics, I'll answer a slightly different question than the OP asked, but is maybe in keeping in mind the original intent of the question (not that I can read minds or anything). So, I'll rephrase the question and ask, what is my goal for my next race, and how will I know that I've successfully achieved that goal, so that I can feel proud of my accomplishment? My answer, is that I have a couple of goals that I'm working on, and if I achieve anyone of them, I'll know that that particular race was a success. So here are a couple of my goals: 1. At next sprint, I want to achieve a sub 30 5k time (no not a typo, I'm super BOP for running). 2. I want to be in the top 3rd in my AG in my transitions (they've been pretty slow so far, and I'm working on them). 3. I want to swim an OW 800m in 16 minutes (again not blazing fast, but improvement for me). If I do any of those things in my next sprint, I will know that I worked towards and achieved an important goal of mine. But no, I'm sure I won't be winning anything, other than a well deserved sense of pride and accomplishment, with those achievements. Erica Well said! maybe us BOP and MOP should just create a new category called winisher of finwin  |
| 2009-08-25 11:33 PM in reply to: #2370071 |
Extreme Veteran 357 Huntington Beach, CA | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM Here's what I am going to do. Next race, I am going to set a personal goal and beat it. I, anyway, will feel like I've won. My mom probably will too. Then I am going to petition the race organizer to create a "35-39 born at 1:03 PM October 20th 1969 in Selma Alabama" AG. With any luck I'll win that too and everyone is happy. |
| 2009-08-26 2:13 AM in reply to: #2370071 |
Expert 697 Northern CA | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM I want to do mine in around 7 hours. Less would be nice, of course. But no more than that. I doubt I'll podium with that kind of time, but for me it's all about improving, doing things I never thought I could do, going for PRs and having fun. |
| 2009-08-26 7:38 AM in reply to: #2370071 |
Extreme Veteran 425 | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM Interesting thoughts...so Chandy, in your mind there is only 1 winner per race correct? Only the single individual who has the fastest time is the winner. Don't break it down into age groups, sex, or anything else because really only 1 person is the fastest? I am not saying you are wrong...it is just interesting to me. Also, I guess when I said not stopping I meant the personal fatigue factor....if you get a flat there is nothing you can do about that, you have to stop...if you get kicked in the face in the swim and grab a canoe...I don't know...I think I would consider that cheating..JUST MY OPINION though. If I wreck on the bike and do not keep going I will not consider the race a "win". |
| 2009-08-26 7:51 AM in reply to: #2370071 |
Extreme Veteran 682 Canton, MI. via Detroit | Subject: RE: My definition of "winning" my future HIM I am a winner, period. Question for those who have crossed the finish line first: Could you still not have met your goals? |
|
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK