How strong is your competition

Usually we think only of those in our age group. In that context you must already know that some age-group competition is absolutely fierce. In a recent race I had only five men in my age group, while one of my running partners had 244 women in hers! Under these circumstances a person might run an exceptional race and not even come close to the awards platform. Nor does it change a great deal sometimes in smaller events because the really fast people just seem to show up more regularly than others; and after all it only takes THREE to keep you from placing. This within itself begins to suggest how deceiving numbers can be. However I want to suggest another way of viewing the strength of your competition anyway

I am sometimes amazed at the strength of mine. There seems to be a multitude of runners out there in their 20s and 30s whose one great goal is to beat me in a race. Now that has to be somewhat funny as old and decrepit as I am! Yet it is true nevertheless. Then for some who are older I might as well have a target painted on the back of my shirt, for they measure their success on a given day by where they are relative to that target.

For example, any time that I happen to run a good race (which I certainly don't do every time)...but when I do, and the announcer plays up my time a little...you can be sure that someone out there in the audience is making the resolution: "That is the last time that a seventy-two year old man is going to beat me!" The exciting thing is that they keep their commitment. Perhaps in the very next race I am not able to stay with them; and when I meet them afterwards you would almost think they have won the lottery! And I rejoice with them, for in some small way I have helped them to become a better runner.

You see, they could have beaten me long before. They just needed an added incentive, a little extra boost, to make them do their best. Perhaps it was the willingness to hurt a little more...or to reach down a little deeper; but once they have found it they are on their way. They now have me watching for them out there in the distance. That's why I wanted to talk with you a little more about your competition. Are you up to some suggestions???

1. NEVER COMPETE JUST WITH YOUR AGE GROUP. If you do you will always find yourself backing off a little when certain ones don't show up. You will be satisfied with running only to win. But this will also open you to disappointments. How many times have you heard someone say, "I didn't know they were in my age group or I could have passed them at the last." My question is, why didn't you pass them anyway? If you do your best (under the circum stances of this particular race) you will have no cause of regrets, regardless of who beats you.

2. COMPETE AGAINST YOURSELF. Regardless of who is there or not there. Determine to be the best that you can be. Train to improve. Keep an eye of what you have done in the past. You win a victory every time you get even a little better.

3. COMPETE AGAINST YOUR WATCH. Some encourage not even wearing one of your training runs, and there are good reasons behind their advice; but it is simply not for me. I would be lost without a watch every time I go out the door. I try not to be a slave to it; and seldom even look at it while running; but it of tremendous help in my evaluation afterwards. It helps me know how efficiently...or inefficiently...I am running that day. It gives me an idea of what to expect in coming races. It is the standard of my progress. It can also leave me very pleased by an effort, regardless of how I have placed that day compared to others.

4. LEARN TO VIEW EVERY PERSON IN THE RACE AS YOUR COMPETITOR. Not that you are going to beat them all by any means; but you are there to compete. Regardless of age or gender, you are going to pass any of them you can. That person who has been running twenty yards ahead for half the race may not even be known to you; but they become your competitor as you attempt to pull them in. Their being a stranger to you or obviously well out of your age group does not lessen the sweetness of your victory if you can do it.

Runners by their very nature are competitive. It adds a special excitement to our sport. Just broaden your view; and compete against them all!