When you're stuck between a rock (Bob Strand) and a hard place (Allen Stark) you look for your own little successes, and maybe creep a little closer year by year. Maybe when we're all over 100.....
Who says destroy the competition? Conan the Barbarian "What is best in life,to crush your enemies,to see them driven before you,to hear the lamentations of their women." Are we barbarians?
I want to win,but my competition are all good guys.If they beat me I learn from it.If I exceed my goal and still don't win it's good.I guess I try to build on my success,but really, I use my experience to set goals for my next meet. That's the thing about Masters,there is always a next meet.
In my own mind, I tell myself to destroy the competition - but that would get very depressing if that was all I was looking to do. I use the competition to help me go faster times! It's taken me a long to time to "forget" the times of my youth & appreciate the improvements I'm making now & I don't need to get discouraged by comparing myself unfavorably to others. One of the best things about masters is our ability to truly enjoy the successes of our competition - even if we have fierce rivalries! Just my 2c
Competitive spirit is prevalent with every heat I'm in or witness. Doesn't matter if I'm DFL or 1st because only 3 people were in my age group, it's the beauty of the race experience that keeps me pushing.
If I was in it just for exercise I might as well stay home lap swimming.
The only thing I want to destroy is my previous best time, so the clock is my only competition. I would rather come in last place and get a personal best time then come in first place and get a lousy time. :agree:
But...but...what if you define success as "destroying your competition?" Nothing beats a good sandbag, followed by destroying a heat of 70-year-olds!:bolt:
I voted for "Destroy the Competition", mainly because of the answers to choose from that one sounded AWESOME.
Now as for reality, if the only competition is That Guy, then I guess my answer would have to be "Destroy the Competition". :bolt:
Unless it is at nationals, then I would settle for 1st place with a lousy time. Otherwise, I agree with you.
I don't think I will ever be in that position unless I eventually outlive my competition! :blush: But, you do have a good point; a gold medal at Nationals would be awesome!
if the only competition is That Guy, then I guess my answer would have to be "Destroy the Competition". :bolt: Yeah! You show him who's boss! :cheerleader:
