A debate about competitiveness and ultra running

I'm glad to see that John Kynaston has taken my comment on his blog in the spirit with which it was meant, and that some interesting debate has taken place since then. John had posted some reflections on his blog about feeling negative during races when he became aware he was behind particular people. I commented this in response:

To be honest, I think you are too competitive John. Although you are chasing times I think you partly measure yourself in terms of whether you beat other folk or not. This is evidenced by the negative thoughts you have when you find out where you are in relation to others.

Run the race to enjoy yourself. If the only way you can truly enjoy or motivate yourself is by knowing that you have beaten other folk I'd take some time to reflect on why you are ultra running in the first place. I mean this with all due respect and with constructive intent.

To my mind there should be joy simply in the process and what you as an individual (without reference to others) achieve at the end.

A variety of responses (here and here) debating the merits of competition in training and racing have appeared in the following posts from John creating quite a good debate. I've nothing extra to add to the debate just now except my last comment, which provides a summary of my views on competition:

Thanks for taking my comment in the spirit with which it was intended. I prefer open honesty as a basic strategy in life.

I think you are making the right decision to back off from organising group runs. You have very specific goals and are training for them. I think this kind of training is best done on one's own, or with someone with very similar goals. Not in a wider social grouping, where the banter and company should be more important than the time.

As for competition I agree with various commenters that it is omnipresent and useful. I fully appreciate and indeed indulge in the use of competition during a race between the person in front of or chasing me. It is an excellent way to motivate one to perform during a race. However beyond a race I do not seek to define myself in terms of beating or being better than others. I feel this side of competition is negative and potentially quite corrupting.

I'm not casting aspersions here (honest guv, I'd say if I was), just articulating my views on competition, which I recognise as something of double edged sword. All the best with your training.

I'd welcome any views on my views if they are more appropriate to post here rather than John's blog where the main debate lies.

Back to blogging about preparation for the UTMB next ...