I spent 7 years in the sport.
I was winning races, training with world record holders, and travelling the world to train and race more and more...
But I was blinded by the darkside of competition.
But what was it all for?
It was all to prove something. Sure I may have enjoyed the training most of the time, but I was always training FOR something. With so much expectation of the outcome. Never really just training for the sheer enjoyment of the training itself.
I trained to race, and I raced to win. But in the proccess, I gave up my creative pursuits to pursue extreme, physical exertion. Guess it was all just a phase...
I've now learned that I'd rather create than compete.
That I'd rather cooperate and work together on something epic than to work solo and prove that I'm better than someone at something, or have someone prove they're better than me.
Like who cares who's better? Let's just feel good and share good feelings with each other.
We live in an abundant universe. It's time to share everything we've got before we die!
What @thatadvocate said on steemit:
"I've moved more and more to what you've been saying on this topic since you've started saying it. At first I thought you were silly to stop as I was really just getting started, but around six months ago things really begun to change, and now often times I do not even get on my bike. I really only use it casually to the store, hell I even bought insurance for it simply to get a good payout if it gets stolen, and I wouldn't mind one bit to be honest.
I used to try to get the best of the best, mostly to spread the vegan word through show, and it did show me just how far you can push yourself. When I stopped my run I always felt like I was literally dying, I'd have a huge heat-wave, get wobbly, and essentially lose my mind for a few minutes, but only when I stopped, so I had to keep going to prevent that.
Far rides on the bike, good runs, and even a swim is good fun and enjoyable, and makes you feel good, but it's not as deeply satisfying as making a difference directly. I'd much rather go traveling around, creating content, helping families out and enjoying the simple relaxing things, be it walking around with a lad, hiking casually, or going and being silly with some kids.
Grinding away training simply doesn't compare, build the memories, and make you absolutely adore life and think WOW every single day, damn how happy am I."
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Damn, that was quite the read. Any advice for a 21 year old working to win his age category at Ironman?
P.S. love this process, before coming to faith as a born again Christian it was all I had worth living for. But the fire burns strong, I love the training, I love pushing the limits, probably couldn't live without it. :)