Very true. It's been years since I've raced though I did sign up for a sprint tri in Sept! Way back when it was stressful but I was very young and there was a lot of pressure. I don't have fond memories of it at all.

Now though I do the selective memory thing with centuries, etc. I question my sanity during, I whine to myself, I wish it was over. Never do I think about stopping though and once it's done, I think "wow, that was FUN!" and I remark about how I want to do it the next year.

Got to second the beer garden though. THAT makes it worthwhile too!!!