Competition

I compete to measure my own progress, such that it is. Between events is just 'social hour' (unless I'm counting a 500). :cheerleader:

It's hard to be motivated by "destroy the competition", since really tight races are rather rare in masters swimming. In my experience, in most heats, the faster folks are clearly faster, and the slower folks are clearly slower. You'd better be racing against yourself, because there are no other races in the pool! That said, it's fun when something like this happens. 200 ***: 4 Swimosaur M54 GKMS 38.34 1:21.00(42.66) 2:03.33(42.33) 2:45.65(42.32) 5 Guy in the Next Lane M55 UNAT 37.16 1:21.36(44.20) 2:04.71(43.35) 2:45.83(41.12) That was a fun race. I can honestly say I like races, even when I lose. I do like to race. But racing is the icing on the cake; it's not the main motivation. The main motivations are staying healthy and having fun. Even getting personal bests, as great as it is, is third on the list. Stay healthy, have fun, swim faster! In that order!

I would rather come in last place and get a personal best time then come in first place and get a lousy time. Unless it is at nationals, then I would settle for 1st place with a lousy time. Otherwise, I agree with you.

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: =========================================================================== 1 __steve__ M43 UNAT NT 2:44.63 39.12 1:22.02(42.90) 2:05.84(43.82) 2:44.63(38.79) 2 M80 BMST 4:51.00 4:54.67 59.41 2:17.74(1:18.33) 3:37.34(1:19.60) 4:54.67(1:17.33) 3 M62 BMST 3:50.00 4:00.98 52.64 1:54.26(1:01.62) 2:58.86(1:04.60) 4:00.98(1:02.12) 4 M56 UNAT 3:45.00 3:32.27 46.46 1:41.06(54.60) 2:37.08(56.02) 3:32.27(55.19) 5 M67 GSMS 3:50.00 3:47.00 51.23 1:49.84(58.61) 2:50.31(1:00.47) 3:47.00(56.69) 6 F79 LCM 4:17.04 4:36.61 58.17 2:08.85(1:10.68) 3:22.28(1:13.43) 4:36.61(1:14.33) 7 M87 LCM 6:00.00 6:33.65 1:35.55 3:15.73(1:40.18) 4:58.37(1:42.64) 6:33.65(1:35.28)

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: Yes, I LOVE love LOVE winning my heat!! A best time on top of it all is awesome!

Some like to win, others hate to lose. Eddie says those who Hate to Lose tend to swim faster. I swim to race well & try to better my best. I'd rather just race myself wearing blinders. There have been times when I swam faster because I had a good swimmer beside me, it's a close race & I got lost in the moment. It's better to be psyched and fierce than too present, not so pyched, getting whupped and thinking OW this really hurts

I'm not fast, but I'm not offering apologizes if I beat you. My intentions are to flip-flop successes when I actually see the results. I use this 'parlay' mindset in many areas of life.