Last night I traveled to the Outdoor DIVAS Cherry Creek store in Denver to talk about nutrition and training issues at an event sponsored by Pearl Izumi. An enthusiastic group of women, and one support-your-gal guy, discussed all kinds of issues. I got a chance to meet some great women as well.
One issue that comes up in nearly every group that I talk to is the concern about being last in a race. It doesn’t matter if it is an all female, all male or a mixed group, there is always at least one person that expresses a discomfort or fear about being the last finisher at an event.
In 2005, I was the last official finisher in the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike race. How that all unfolded is another story – but that finish remains one of my all-time most memorable races and race finishes. I was quite happy to be last.
It’s no secret that I’m a Starbuck’s pumpkin scone fan. If I’m the last one to get a pumpkin scone before the tray is empty, I’m one happy gal.
If you were the last one to get something from a store before it closed, would you be happy to be last?
If you were the last one in a special line to receive $1 million in cash - would you want to be last in line or not in line at all?
Would you prefer to be in the game of life, playing with all you’ve got? Or home on the couch in front of the TV watching others play?
If you could be last in line to receive the privilege of health, participation, fresh air, friendship, physical exertion, feeling alive…would you chose to be last in line or not in line at all?
Do you know someone that needs some help with the fear of being last? Maybe these blog thoughts will help them.
Active Expert: Gale Bernhardt
Previous Next
Apr 25, 2008 2:44 PM
Reply
Gale Bernhardt
in response to: Active Toby
Gale Bernhardt
in response to: Active Toby
Toby ~
Great comments, thanks ~
Apr 27, 2008 9:24 AM
Reply
Jamie
Jamie
My very first triathlon was the Shawnee Mission Triathlon. Volunteers were picking up cones behind me on the bike course. I passed one athlete in T2, and finished second to last. Ironically, the one person who finished behind me is now one of the athletes I coached. I think that initial performance was what gave me the ***** to keep going with the sport; something in me said, "Hey! I can do better than that!" And I have done much better than that (although I still haven't won Shawnee Mission, which is my ultimate goal).
I was the last finisher at the 2007 Mt Disappointment 50-Mile Ultra Marathon. I missed the 15 hour cut-off by 17 minutes so I didn't get "credit" for running the race. What I did get was the "Get-to-the-Finish" award, a beautiful handmade plaque and a sense of pride when I crossed the finish line that will never go away. race review
What I've learned is there are lots of other competitors out there which makes it distracting at times and we are likely to compare ourselves with this or that person but the most important thing someone can realize is that the competition is within you and against the person or the athlete that you were yesterday, last week, last year, last race. Channeling that competitive edge inward isn't easy but it can be done and it can help you focus on being honest with yourself, dreaming big while strengthening weaknesses and setting goals that will help you succeed. Hope this helps