Just to set the record straight, I have never won any triathlon race (or any other marathon or, short distance or, endurance road races) I have ever competed in. As a matter of fact, I have never even been in the top three although once I got fourth place for my age group in a 10k run in Minneapolis, MN.
I have never stood on the stand to accept a medal or winner’s prize or even a condolence prize. Except that one time after everyone left and before they took the stand down, my wife Debbie and I who ran the Saint George, Utah marathon got on the stand and had a passer-by take our picture for our photo journal.
But that’s okay with me. I know I’m not fast. I know I’m usually in the middle of the pack when it comes to my age group. Because the excitement, the fitness, the work life balance, the family involvement, the example I set for my kids is really the prize for me.
Oh yeah, and the finishers medal is just as good to me as a first place medal (I collect them and am proud of them). Well not really, but I’m sure you get the real meaning here.
Besides, I have a strategy to get onto the medal stand one day. It is to stay healthy, keep training and racing and live a long life so that when the field narrows down to so few participants in my age group someday, I might get my chance to get a “place” medal haha.
What’s your strategy?
My strategy is to give up on winning in my age group and maybe start competing in the Clydesdale division. I have been reluctant to race in that division, but the opportunity to win a race would be fun and I always lose by far in my age group, but always finish within or close to the top three in the Clydesdales. Maybe...seven years later in triathlon...it's time for one real victory rather than just another PR???
ReplyDeleteIf anyone can do it, you can! BTW, sweettri.com strategy.
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