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Big Rock's Corner


What Keeps You Coming Back ?

By Big Rocks

What keeps you coming back?

I was thinking recently about motivation and achievement.  I mean if someone sets a goal, reaches it, gets some satisfaction and moves on, this is what our society expects.  As a country we are all about conquering new territories.  What we don't understand as much is the person who keeps coming back for more.  These are not "bucket list" people who are all about the current, new challenge.  I have been able to visit a poor village in Haiti this year and am looking to lead another trip in early 2013.  Mainly a work trip to help build some better roads leading up to an orphanage.  I have had more than one person tell me they would love to go and when I ask them why, they tell me it is something they always wanted to do.  I guess going to a poor village in Haiti ranks right up there with hang gliding or parasailing.  I call these people "one timers" who are in it for the thrill of a new experience.

There are a lot of these people in triathlon and there really is nothing wrong with that.  What gets me thinking is the person who stays the course, year after year, race after race.  Like going back to Kona eight, nine or ten times.  The easy answer is the athlete is striving to better past performances or perhaps to beat some age group competitor.

I believe, however, that it is much more than this.  Given the time for training, the money, the time away from other activities and loved ones, the toll on the body, there is much more going on here besides a new PR.  Over time, the person dedicated to the long haul views triathlon (or any other big commitment) as a definite life-style.  More than this, it becomes an intrinsic part of who this person is.  His identity is linked with the daily dance of training, racing and recovery.  He can no sooner separate his dedication to his craft than he can stop training for a long period.  The daily commitment to the craft becomes the achievement. 

To most of the world, this commitment borders on obsession or even insanity, but to the athlete who keeps coming back for more, it is a bit more complicated.  Somewhere along the way "training" and "racing" became a metaphor for life.  These people see life as a journey of continual testing and overcoming.  They are comfortable with challenges and respond very well to the problems that life continues to throw at them.

In my view, the dedicated lifer who keeps coming back is what our society needs.  Someone who takes responsibility for their actions and confidently moves forward.  Someone who knows defeat but continues to bounce back.  Someone who says "I will do this" and keeps coming back for more. 

Best wishes for all who continue to go out everyday to train, race, recover and come back for more.

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