I am the type of person who competes with myself and I think my level of competition is at a pretty healthy level. I think that blogging and other forms of social media can sometimes lead to competition and comparing yourself to others and that can be on the unhealthy side. We are all at different levels with our running and that is what keeps me in perspective. Do I want to be a better and faster runner? Of course, I do or else I will never run the Boston Marathon! Do I want to beat others or run as fast as they do? No, I don't. I am definitely happy when others achieve their goals but my focus remains on my game. I am by far my own worst enemy and I am rarely satisfied with my performance because I always think I could have done better.
Am I competitive? Of course I am, I want to run a half in 1:45 but my goals are not based upon the performance of others. My goals are reasonable goals that I feel that I can achieve based on past races and current performance. Will I ever run a 3:30
marathon? No I will not; and I don't think I even want to try because in my mind it's crazy
fast and out of my comfort zone.
I don't want to be super fast or beat anyone. I just want to BQ and run the Boston Marathon! I just want to be Me and Do My Thing! Am I happy for people who can out run me? Of course I am or else I would be a pretty stressed out person trying to compete without much success. Running would no longer be fun if my level of competition became out of control and I never want that to happen! I actually admire the hell out of those who have that tremendous running ability since they are the ones who motivate me to become a better runner and inspire me to push harder and achieve things that I never thought I could!
What are your thoughts on competition? Who do you compete with?
I'm super competitive with both myself and others!! That is why I started racing...I needed something after college sports to compete in!!
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with that Nancy as long as it doesn't get to you! I find it a lot easier to just worry about me or else I know I would become frustrated :)
DeleteNeeded this post today to keep putting some of my running thoughts in perspective. Thanks Sandy
ReplyDeleteI glad that you got something out of it. Just keep setting those goals and going after them Marissa. I give credit to anyone who can finish a marathon and sometimes we tend to get too caught up in the other stuff!
DeleteSometimes we are our own worst enemies...needed this post today. Been struggling not truly being able to run lately, but know all I can do is my best!
ReplyDeleteI agree Michelle! I enjoy running so much more when I set goals that I can meet and focus on them. I love seeing what you all do but I know my limits and I don't push myself beyond what is realistic!
Deletecompetitive for sure....for most things...my older son is the same way in school especially
ReplyDeleteMy son is very competitive too! He wants to be the fastest in his class!
DeleteI agree with everything in this post as far as running goes! I am competitive with others in terms of activities I'm better at (I was very competitive when it came to school), but I'm not sure that's so healthy now. At work, working *with* others is much more important--everybody benefits. In this way, I'm getting more mature, but it's been a slow process.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think of competition and it relates beyond running. I kind of do my own thing at work so I don't really have anyone to match myself against but I do recall being much more competitive as a kid with my sisters. I guess that is why we fought so much but love each other to death anyway!
DeleteI'm really competitive by nature but I try my best to keep that out of my running. Not sure that I'll ever be able to let someone pass me at the finish of a race but aside from that I'm happy just to be out there able to run.
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