Not into racing as much as I thought . . .

[limewave]

Yesterday I made a last-minute decision to do a local-ish xc race. It was inexpensive, close to home, a good chance to test out my legs. And the Sport race started late enough I could still go to church with the family, which was nice. After church, I cranked up AC/DC's Highway to Hell and cruised on over to the race.

I didn't know anyone at the race, which was not a surprise as I am out of the racing scene loop. I lined up with everyone, minding my own business. Before I know it, I have a swarm of women around me, all wanting to know what AG I was in. What other races I have done, what my finish times were, etc. And it wasn't in a friendly chatty way, it was in a "I'm sizing you up" way. There was a LOT of smack talk. Call me odd, but I didn't feel like talking to anyone, I wanted to focus on the race, center my thoughts, enjoy some quiet. Sheesh.

I know its a race and I'm as competitive as the next girl . . . but the smack talk just seemed weird and annoying.

The racing part I did enjoy

But then after the race all the kids were getting ready for the kids races and beginner races and I terribly missed my family. We briefly talked about going as a family, but it was a rainy day and DS is just 2 yo so we decided against it.

The whole experience made me realize that I should not be racing more. Doing 2-3 races a year is enough for me. And in the next few years we will be able to start bringing the kids. Perhaps making it a family event will make the "entire" racing experience more enjoyable

[Nick]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad to hear you enjoyed the racing part!

[Veronica]

I don't "get" the smack talk. That's just poor sportsmanship. Go ahead and crush the competition on the field, but keep your comments ahead of time to yourself.


Veronica

[limewave]

I don't "get" the smack talk. That's just poor sportsmanship. Go ahead and crush the competition on the field, but keep your comments ahead of time to yourself.


Veronica

hehehehe. I did I got second. I demoralized the woman that squawked the loudest.

[Veronica]

hehehehe. I did I got second. I demoralized the woman that squawked the loudest.

Nice!

And congratulations!

Veronica

[Biciclista]

good story, congrats on the 2nd place WOW.

[Artista]

hehehehe. I did I got second. I demoralized the woman that squawked the loudest.

You go girl! They can talk all they want but the proof was in the pudding!

[bmccasland]

I kind of get the smack talk, so long as you know those you're talking smack to, i.e. friendly trashing among buddies. But among strangers, you better be prepared to follow all that smack with a win! And if you're so good that you can win, then the smack seems to be arrogant.

So Veronica, congratulations on the 2nd place, especially beating the loudest mouth. I don't get the lack of good sportmanship either - what will the kids learn? Seems to me that the kiddies will notice the mixed message if they're told to congratulate others after their race but the adults don't bother.

[jessmarimba]

I'm not even all that competitive, so that kind of stuff just gets old fast. When I race on foot, I'm going for time. Sure, it's fun to pass people, but they're just carrots - I'd be just as happy to congratulate them on beating me afterwards. So, it's nothing personal. And nothing is more fun than encouraging a new runner.

I don't get how crazy competitive some people can get at mountain bike races. Especially for a culture that has such a laid-back reputation off the starting line!

I think the kids races are so cute

[limewave]

One of the weird things was they all wanted to chat-it-up at the start, but at the finish everyone avoided each other. I was the only one that went around congratulating people. It just seems like good sportsmanship to me. I went up to each of the women, told them I hoped that they had a great race and good job, etc. They barely acknowledged me and quickly turned away. Sigh. Looking back at the handful of races I've done, not one of my competitors has come up to me to offer a handshake or "job-well-done."

I had not actually seen a kids race before, so that was fun. And a lot of the parents rode the laps with their kids. That is good know for future reference. I had kind of wondered about that. I didn't really want to send DD out on a course by herself.