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At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?"
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| General Discussion | Triathlon Talk » At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" | Rss Feed  |
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 2010-06-17 12:58 PM |
Veteran  190  |  Subject: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?"As I sit here 48 hours out from my race I can't stop thinking about it and I'm a bundle of nerves. I keep going through the different points in the race and of course some of the lower points keep popping into my head. I'm trying to concentrate on the fun stuff and relax but it is hard. |
| 2010-06-17 1:00 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Champion 5117  Brandon, MS | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" |
| 2010-06-17 1:02 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Elite 3683   Whispering Pines, North Carolina | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" During the entire race... Races are not that fun...they're more of a social event. training is what is fun. |
| 2010-06-17 1:03 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Champion 14571 the alamo city, Texas | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" About 30 seconds before the gun. |
| 2010-06-17 1:04 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Master 2356 Westlake Village , Ca. | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" I always start questioning WTF am I doing here a few miles into the run. After the finish though, I'm already ready to go again! |
| 2010-06-17 1:06 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Regular 135 Olathe, KS | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" for me, the first 5 minutes of the run are "why exactly did I sign up for this moments," always has been even on training runs, the rest is pure heaven! I love this sport!! Dave. |
| 2010-06-17 1:06 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Extreme Veteran 398 Denver | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" halfway through the run on an oly...sprints are over too fast to think about it |
| 2010-06-17 1:08 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Expert 608 St. Louis | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" always before a race..over the weekend my answer was...."to see whether my swim has improved enough for it being worth while to travel to des moines, colorado springs, san diego". managed 2nd to last in the swim 750m in 13:34...but was with a group of people. The after race answer is yes...but the swim still needs work. |
| 2010-06-17 1:10 PM in reply to: #2928341 |
Expert 1116 Thornton, CO | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" meherczeg - 2010-06-17 12:03 PM About 30 seconds before the gun. x2, but only on longer events like marathons and HIMs Most likely for the entire 24 hours before my first IM... and during the entire swim. For shorter races... never Training and racing are both fun... both are also hard. |
| 2010-06-17 1:13 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Veteran 930 Morgan Hill, California | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" Half way through the swim, when I realize I still am a terrible swimmer. Before the swim, I am optimistic that maybe I have improved. Half way through though, I realize that even if I have, its still freaking hard. Then I entertain myself with the half serious thought of why am I doing this. Followed by the self reminder that I did, in fact, sign up for this (and train for it), so I might as well make the best of it. I do find it amazing what can go through my head during the swim. Apparently, that is a lot of free time for my brain to wander. |
| 2010-06-17 1:15 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Extreme Veteran 516 Olathe, KS | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" That question should more likely be asked and answered during your training. If you've gotten through your training (which it appears so since you're here posting  ) and trained how you've needed to do, you should do just fine. Everyone gets pre-race nerves but once the race starts those usually melt away pretty fast. Only worry about the things you can control. The training is the "fun" part. Race day is just a celebration of everything you've done up until that point. If you find yourself still asking yourself that question during the race I suggest envisioning yourself crossing the finish line and know that you'll be at home at the end of the day with a satisfied feeling of accomplishment. |
| 2010-06-17 1:15 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Expert 2555 Colorado Springs, Colorado | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" Never. It's all fun. |
| 2010-06-17 1:16 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Master 1411 Lexington, KY | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" When my alarm goes off at 4:30 am the morning of the race!! ETA: During the race, I start to wonder toward the end of the bike, and then the entire run is a big "why am i doing this" existential experience. That's how racing should feel. If you don't have those moments, you've got more to give! Edited by wiky 2010-06-17 1:22 PM |
| 2010-06-17 1:20 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Pro 4360 Baton Rouge area | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" From my first and only HIM: while lined up to start "What in the Heck made me think to do the?" Getting out of the water "F! yeah I just swam 1.2 miles, how cool is that" Going into T1 - legs cramping, walking like I have a stick stuck "just scr@w this I am done" Finishing the ride "Heck ya 56 miles after 1.2 mile swim!" Starting run with dead legs, hot temps, etc whine "Dr said not to run on the knee, why didn't I listen to him! Why am I doing this?" Finishing HIM "Heck ya, I want to do another!" |
| 2010-06-17 1:23 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
 Bronze member | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" I like the training more than the races too. You can't do anything about bad weather or wind direction on race day. You can work around all of that stuff during training (sort of)  My first two races of this year were both in the rain so I was asking myself that question for the entire race. Race #1 "What are you doing riding your bike in the pelting rain with 25 mph winds in your face? You should be at home snuggled under a blanket eating chocolate. This is not normal." Race #2 "What are you doing standing in a freaking wetsuit, in the rain, getting ready to swim in a shivering cold lake covered in slimy moss? Normal people do not do this....." Ha ha, it even sounds crazy to me now! Oh well, it's all part of the experience that we share. Every other person in the race probably feels just like you. I'm still trying to figure out why I'm doing it I guess because I can. Because I swim, bike and run anyway, I might as well try to race. |
| 2010-06-17 1:26 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Extreme Veteran 660 | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" 1. getting up a 4 to goto the race while every once else is still asleep |
| 2010-06-17 1:29 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
| Bronze member | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" The training is the "fun" part. Race day is just a celebration of everything you've done up until that point. What a great perspective! Love it! |
| 2010-06-17 1:33 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
| 49 | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" -treading water wating for the gun -2 miles into the run |
| 2010-06-17 1:38 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
| New user 61 Westlake Village, California | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" My wife wears a t-shirt when she runs marathons that says "this is just a 26.2 mile victory lap". That basically sums up what most folks here are saying - the long weeks or months of training hard and consistently is the challenge. The actual race is just a celebration of all that hard work. |
| 2010-06-17 1:42 PM in reply to: #2928459 |
Extreme Veteran 590 Sioux Falls, SD | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" mikerocks77 - 2010-06-17 1:33 PM -treading water wating for the gun -2 miles into the run +1 I tend to go into my races overtrained, so it's not a question of whether or not I can complete the distances. It's more of just a nervous anxiety before the race starts, and a "oh yeah, this hurts" feeling on the run. |
| 2010-06-17 1:45 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Expert 721 Chenequa WI | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" The one and only time in a race that I asked myself, "Why the #*% am I doing this?" was in my first 1/2 IM. Lack of good pacing combined with poor nutrition on the bike led to a disastrous run. I knew 1 mile into it when all I could think was, "I cannot believe I've got another 12 miles of this?" I never did get the answer about "why I am doing it" until a few days later when I figured out my mistakes. To the OP - nerves are good to have before a race. It helps to keep us sharp. But a bundle of nerves is not worth it. Try to put the race into perspective and remind yourself of what's important in life. |
| 2010-06-17 1:55 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Champion 7036 Sarasota, FL | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" The only time I've questioned anything was halfway through the swim during my very first triathlon when I had stupidly gone out way too fast and hyperventilated. It was definitely a learning experience about pacing! If you've trained properly, the biggest challenge will be between your ears: overcoming the psychological fear and uncertainty. The swim can be tough because you're isolated and alone with your thoughts. Work hard to stay focused. Once you get to the bike and run you'll be surrounded with the support of fellow competitors, volunteers and spectators that will help carry you to the end. Good luck and have fun. Mark |
| 2010-06-17 2:02 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Champion 5781 Northridge, California | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" Sprints, Olys...never. I wouldn't call any of it "fun"...but "satisfying," definitely. At HIM and IM, there's definitely dark spots and for me they're usually late on the bike. |
| 2010-06-17 2:31 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Master 2301 Rogersville, Alabama | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" When I'm fighting off cramps in a HIM or IM run. |
| 2010-06-17 2:34 PM in reply to: #2928322 |
Master 1366 PNW | Subject: RE: At what point(s) during a race do you ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" I thought that about halfway through the swim on both of my races so far. |
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