The (individual) goal may not be to win (versus the others in the race)
The goal (for an individual) may (just) be finishing the race or doing better than last time or … If the individual does that, it may be (considered) a win for them (and by them).
A similar phrase I hear in sports is “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”. But having your success depend on the shortcomings of others can’t be the the best strategy. My favorite baseball team (Orioles) is the worst in the league, and those guys really try, but they’re just not talented… save maybe two players. Fortunately they snapped a (19 game!) losing streak last night.
Sometimes I think it is more about picking the race – I knew a guy who was an ultramarathon running – like 50 or 100 mile races that took the entire day! He was pretty fast, but even well trained athletes couldn’t finish races like that.
I play sports for fun. It always seemed to me that the people who played to win weren’t having much fun unless they did, and then it wasn’t as much like fun as self-satisfaction.
RAGs over 2 years ago
The journey is what is important.
Bilan over 2 years ago
As the other tired adage goes, second place is just the first one to lose.
Doug K over 2 years ago
The (individual) goal may not be to win (versus the others in the race)
The goal (for an individual) may (just) be finishing the race or doing better than last time or … If the individual does that, it may be (considered) a win for them (and by them).
batmanwithprep over 2 years ago
A similar phrase I hear in sports is “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”. But having your success depend on the shortcomings of others can’t be the the best strategy. My favorite baseball team (Orioles) is the worst in the league, and those guys really try, but they’re just not talented… save maybe two players. Fortunately they snapped a (19 game!) losing streak last night.
dcandmx over 2 years ago
I think we could learn a whole lot from Cooperative Games
Bilan over 2 years ago
The paint brush has disappeared and the lines still aren’t parallel to the edge of the court.
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member over 2 years ago
I few years ago, I was doing a fun run, and since I wasn’t feeling great I set “gotta beat the guy dressed as Gumby” as my goal.
I only caught him on the hill after 10km. Gumby be fast on the flat bits.
Ichabod Ferguson over 2 years ago
The race was to determine who is fastest between them. Whether a third guy could beat either one of them is as irrelevant as your comment.
Thinkingblade over 2 years ago
Sometimes I think it is more about picking the race – I knew a guy who was an ultramarathon running – like 50 or 100 mile races that took the entire day! He was pretty fast, but even well trained athletes couldn’t finish races like that.
Scott S over 2 years ago
In my opinion finishing a marathon or triathlon is an accomplishment, even if one doesn’t win.
Ubermick over 2 years ago
I look forward to Caulfied getting to the fable of the Wolf and the Lion, which teaches that an overinflated ego can lead to one’s destruction.
Nah, that probably won’t fit the narrative…
Opus the Poet over 2 years ago
You don’t have to be the fastest, just faster than the last guy.
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 2 years ago
I play sports for fun. It always seemed to me that the people who played to win weren’t having much fun unless they did, and then it wasn’t as much like fun as self-satisfaction.
Tallguy over 2 years ago
OMG it finally happened: I agree with Caufield. Or worse (since I’ve been saying it longer) Caufield agrees with ME!