For some reason in trail running there seems to be a general attitude of disdain for overt competitiveness. It’s prevalent from amateurs to pros. People will conceal any competitive ambitions and I wish they didn’t so much.
We race to race other people. That’s what gets us to push ourselves to places we didn’t think possible. The other people! It’s true for all levels of the sport. I think it’s awesome when somebody in 163rd puts on the afterburner to get 162nd.
That kind of back and forth fight with another runner builds a bond, not enmity. Much more so than being ambivalent about their pace. When I have a good (friendly) fight with someone I’m inclined to give them a hug at the finish line, win or lose.
I am on a campaign to convince pros that Heaven’s Gate 53k is a great early-season tune-up for UTMB (huge climbs on singletrack, long descents, enormous vert). Think I can convince both you and Jim or Dmitry to show up in Idaho on May 1st?
This is why publishing a race calendar publicly is cool, you guys can see what other races besides “the big 2” people are doing. If we condense our sport down to 2 important races every year it’s gonna get really boring…
I really like the approach for saying not saying athletes you admire. Also, a healthy battle during a race competition pushes the body for more and it looks like you are on that vibe. Maybe records will be broken with the help of a pacer or sparring competitor partners ?
I got a list, here’s the order of my list that it’s in:
For some reason in trail running there seems to be a general attitude of disdain for overt competitiveness. It’s prevalent from amateurs to pros. People will conceal any competitive ambitions and I wish they didn’t so much.
We race to race other people. That’s what gets us to push ourselves to places we didn’t think possible. The other people! It’s true for all levels of the sport. I think it’s awesome when somebody in 163rd puts on the afterburner to get 162nd.
That kind of back and forth fight with another runner builds a bond, not enmity. Much more so than being ambivalent about their pace. When I have a good (friendly) fight with someone I’m inclined to give them a hug at the finish line, win or lose.
What if I am reading this but I am not on the list? Still want to race me? I’d be easy to beat ! :)
I am on a campaign to convince pros that Heaven’s Gate 53k is a great early-season tune-up for UTMB (huge climbs on singletrack, long descents, enormous vert). Think I can convince both you and Jim or Dmitry to show up in Idaho on May 1st?
Looks like a sweet course!
Yeah it does! I think I’ve convinced Lotti Brinks — now to go for the only other Idaho-based elite ultrarunner (Cody Lind)
This is why publishing a race calendar publicly is cool, you guys can see what other races besides “the big 2” people are doing. If we condense our sport down to 2 important races every year it’s gonna get really boring…
I like this a lot. Excited to see where this goes!
Yadda Yadda Yadda, if you wanted a 5k rematch you could have just asked me directly
I’m coming for your antelope island time 👀
You know that's untouchable
This is so pure. Winning is not a dirty word. Go get 'em (respectfully, of course)
Who needs a race? How about some 1:1 racing like Rocky and Apollo on the beach in Rocky III? 😀
That's the kind of competitive outspoken mind I'd love to see more in trail running. Looking forward to see these battles!
I really like the approach for saying not saying athletes you admire. Also, a healthy battle during a race competition pushes the body for more and it looks like you are on that vibe. Maybe records will be broken with the help of a pacer or sparring competitor partners ?
Good stuff! I think it’s not wanting to win that’s bad, but wanting bad things to happen to other people.
Lets go! I love this post.
You are certainly in that upper, upper echelon. Congratulations on a great UTMB début, an amazing charge at the end.
I feel like the race directors need to be jumping on this post promoting their events!!!
This has pro wrestling vibes and I love it. I mean they also compete for belt buckles…