Should everyone compete in events?

I love an event. I tend to select two or three events in a year. Normally an A triathlon race, a B triathlon race and something else— a half marathon, a cycling sportive or something a little different. These events will tie into my planning for periodisation and dictate how my year looks. The article on periodisation gives more detail on how I subtly adapt my training through different time periods but the A triathlon race will almost definitely dictate when I go into “build” and “peak/taper” and much of the rest of the year will be a variation on “base” with some smaller adaption for other events. 

So entering events helps to shape my training year. I do not set targets for a year. I set targets for the 1,000 days and smaller cycles. Either targets that are event-specific as I build up to events or cycles in the base phase to address specific weaknesses. 

More importantly, I try to make events bring the fun into what I do. I like to make the A race something different, something iconic, something particularly challenging, or a combination of all the things. I will make a weekend of it. I have travelled to Montenegro. I often use it as an excuse to visit the beautiful North Wales coast and mountains. I may go on my own, take my family or compete with my brother. 

The whole build-up adds a buzz. The excuse to spoil yourself and get away. The best part is being on the start line. Standing on a beach at 6 a.m. in the stunning Kotor Bay in Montenegro, thinking “What on earth am I doing here” and loving it. The buzz from positive anxiety that getting older can rob you of. Just the feeling of being somewhere different, doing something different, feeling something different in a different place at a different time is the greatest buzz. 

On top of that, I like a T-shirt, I like the celebration of a finish line and I like the camaraderie of strangers in transition and in the run-up to the event. Some of my best memories are getting to the start line. Cycling along Mumbles in Swansea with all your kit. The gradual concentration of people, Lycra and bikes as you head into central London for the RideLondon. 

These are where memories are formed and goals are tested. I do not enter to win. I do not enter to compete against others. I enter to compete against myself. Bringing structure to my year that is just for me. 

However, all that being said. Everyone is different. The crucial thing is that you enjoy the process. Lifelong health and wellbeing through fitness should be the aim. In order to do this, you have to enjoy the process. Embrace the solitude of training. Join running clubs. Be a part of something. Whatever keeps you happy and moving.

I enjoy all those things, but I love an event.