I would love to be the bigger man and tell you the main reason I love to run in all of the 5K’s, 10K’s, and Half-Marathons is for the physical exercise, the camaraderie of my fellow runners, and the donation I get to make to charity. Those may all be true statements about some of the reasons I love to run in these races. However, the honest truth is that I’m still an overly-competitive guy who craves a challenge.
I can honestly say that I have no hope of winning any of these races, and very few times have I even placed in my age-bracket. But there is still one thing I can count on doing at any race I run…
I have to beat that guy.
Now, that guy can come in many shapes, forms, and sizes but he’s always there at the starting line of every race I run. (In fact, according to my wife, that guy can even come in the form of that girl…but I digress.) I’ve learned over this past year of “competitive” running that in order to challenge myself, I have to find someone at the starting line who I have to beat.
One race it might be the slightly older gentleman who is wearing the way-too-short running shorts in some form of neon color. I’ll see him and immediately think…
I have to beat that guy.
Another race, he will take the form of the guy who is doing far more stretches than any other runner. Seriously, do you really need to stretch out every individual toe? Sure enough…
I have to beat that guy.
In yet a different race, he will appear (sometimes in a group) wearing a costume or ridiculous outfit. I may not be the swiftest of 
foot, but there is no way I’m getting beat by a dude wearing a Batman costume….
foot, but there is no way I’m getting beat by a dude wearing a Batman costume….I have to beat that guy.
One more common form he can take is the look-like-I’m-running-a-triathalon-when-it’s-only-a-5K guy. This is the guy that shows up for your local charity 5K with every contraption you can buy from the nearest running store. He’s loaded up with far more than your normal headphones and running watch. He’s also got a brace for every joint on his lower-body. To complete the look, he’s got the utility belt complete with two bottles of water (hey, it’s only 3.1 miles and there are like 3 aid stations on the course) and enough snacks to feed a boy scout troop on a 4-day hike. You know where I’m going…
I have to beat that guy.
This past Sunday at my most recent 10K, he took the form of the loud, obnoxious, random-conversation-starter. To make matters worse, he managed to start every sentence with “Dude,…” You’ve probably met this guy. He walks up to complete strangers at the starting line and, instead of starting a casual conversation, begins to immediately invade your personal space. “Dude, this race is going to be awesome.” “Dude, the hills on this course are going kick our a**.” “Dude, last race I hauled a** to place 3rd in my age bracket.” “Dude, what’s your age? Just checking to see if you’re my competition, dude.” At this point, the only thought running through my mind was Dude, I’m about to take my bib number off my shirt and shove it down your throat. Oh, and…
I have to beat that guy.
Sure enough, my sole focus became making sure I finished ahead of that guy. Of course, he took off way too fast with the lead pack and I was able to pass him even before the 2-mile marker. That gave me a lot of satisfaction until I realized I needed to find more motivation to get through the next 4.2 miles.
Maybe the rest of you runners out there can tell me if I'm just that shallow of a person to pick out someone at the start of every race to try to beat. Maybe it's just me, I don't know. I just find that if I can get my juices flowing at the start of each race, I can channel some of that competitive spirit I've had my whole life.
And if you happen to be at the starting line at my next race and you're wearing shorts a little too short, stretching a little too much, wearing a costume or saying "Dude,.." a lot, you might notice me giving you a little stare down. It's nothing personal, but just know...
I have to beat that guy.
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This made me laugh because I could totally relate to it. I always pick out someone ahead of me that I want to pass...there's usually a whole line of them until I can't go any faster or people start to pass me.
ReplyDeleteAnd, then, it gets hard...really hard.
After that, the focus goes inward and all I want to do is finish.
Made me think about how chatty I can be at the beginning of the race. Maybe I'm just fueling the competition!
Glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. There's a big difference between being chatty and taking it to the extreme of "that guy". I'm sure you're not fueling anyone.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and commenting. I really appreciate it
I love the refreshing honesty of your post! I don't think there's anything wrong with finding a competitive vein and using it to go for your best race. Maybe you are really beating "that guy" inside of you, going for your personal best! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete