Winning and Losing

Winning and losing is a big part of sports and other parts of our lives. You can use this as positive part of your life. Most age group athletes compete in sports (running and triathlons) as a way to lose weight, get in shape or stay fit, have fun, meet their friends or inspire their children. Some do compete to win races or win their age group which can be good or bad. It is how you approach the race mentally: confident or arrogant. Going into the race being confident is good because you trained in all weather conditions, completed the training as scheduled, practiced the course and you know the competition. But then something happens race day like a curve ball: a change in the course because of weather or a newbie that no one knows is hard to beat. You know your training got you ready and confident about the outcome will be good. The confident one wins no matter how he places in the race because he shows sportsmanship. I like to look at my race results to see how I can improved my times. I know I am a competitor but like to compete against myself. See if I improved or what I have to work on. When I win or place top 3 of my age group, I see that as a bonus. It is how you train physically and mentally creates confidence to be ready for the big race. When you lose congratulate the winners then go back to your plan to see how you can improve for the next race. Don’t dwell, don’t look back, look forward to the next big one!