Why do I compete or the better question what do I get out of competing? This question may resonate more with people because there will come a point in time where your abilities to perform at your highest level starts to deteriorate with age. The lifter you were when you were 28 is a shell of who you are at 38. So why keep competing? That is something I ponder a lot since stepping away from the platform and embarking down other paths to express myself. I've found myself entrenched in the Jiu Jitsu world now and venturing into endurance activities. I could just train at those things and never compete, sure, but would I get everything out of it that I desire?
Everyone says to focus on the process of training and not the outcome. I agree with that, the process will guide you and lead you to being the best. But what leads you to more than that? To me it's the challenge, I compete for the challenge, I compete to see where I stand compared to the person was a few months ago, a few years ago. I compete because I want to see how far am I willing to push myself and how much suffering I can endure without tapping out. When I do tap I relish in it because it is an opportunity to get better. I know I have more work to do so I get back up and keep going.
This never ending pursuit of self improvement through the challenge of training and of life is why I compete. If you aren't willing to put yourself out there and see what you are capable of you will never know what you are made of. There's no hiding in competition either, your mistakes get showcased. The effort and the work you've put in the gym and out are on full display. If you squandered any opportunity to get better it will show up at the competition. There is no hiding when I compete.
Training is now a part of my life, I've been training in some capacity for some sport for 20 years now I don't see any signs of slowing down. As I stepped off the mats yesterday in a Jiu Jitsu competition I can proudly say I pushed myself to my limits. I can also say that these limits are only temporary and I know when I step back out on those mats I will be able to push a little further and dig a little deeper. It's a test of will, myself versus the voice in my head telling me to quit. I compete to beat that voice.