The main difference between me and a top athlete could be that the key purpose of my training is not the improvement of the performance, but getting a good feeling and doing something I can be proud of. For example, when I feel like running (and this is quite often the case ;-)), I run, notwithstanding that it would be smarter to rest, with regard to the next competition. It's simply more important for me to have as much fun as possible than to perform as good as possible. Since performing well is also a lot of fun, I run competitions. One very attractive would have been the world cup switzerland.
BUT: In the week before the testrace, I got an e-mail that said, I won't be selected for the world cup, no matter which result I run in the test race. Baam. Of course they only want athletes in the team, that really concentrate on this race and cooperate with the trainers. I'm effectively not that kind of athlete. Anyway I was surprised about this e-mail. And I just decided to show at the testrace, that their decision was wrong. I estimated my chance not too high because my training was indeed not ideal the last weeks. But at the race day I felt quite good and was motivated, furthermore there was a big will to give everything and be concentrated all the race long (Actually, orienteering should be always like this ;-)). The result was a stable race with only one mistake of about 30 seconds and a 6th place, so the condition for the world cup would have been fulfilled.
After having accepted all this, late in the evening I anyway decided to inform the athlete-helper about the situation. This lead to a selection that would have been followed by certain special constraints for me. For example I would have been obliged to work out a training plan together with the trainer, communicate, summarized: show actively, that I focus on the world cup race. Sounds not too difficult. So, GO FOR IT, I first thought.
But was this really what I wanted? I was not sure, so I went running and after about one hour I came to the decision that I want to do without the world cup, namely because of four reasons:
1) Accepting the qualification would have implied sudden changes in my race preparation, of which I think, they don't make me run better on day X: I would have discussed my training with the trainers, I would have spent a lot of time writing everything down, and maybe I even would have had to justify myself why I'm singing in the chorus on wednesday evening instead of atteding the orienteering training, for example. I didn't want all this to be part of my preparation.
2) The chance that I couldn't compete in the sprint on sunday (my childhood dream ;-)) was quite big. Only 9 world cup points so far... (on sunday, only the first 40 of the world cup intermetiate standings can start)
3) After the e-mail I've already deleted the world cup out of my mind, and somehow it's nothing but consequent to say no.
4) With my renouncement I give a world cup starting place to someone else, who wants this maybe 100 times more than me.
See you in Liestal! :-)
GPS of the Testrace 13.9.2014
Results of the testrace 13.9.2014
Qualifications for the world cup switzerland
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| Wonderful terrain Selamatt |
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| My new Racer ST 5 after exactly 42.195 km under my foot. |
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| bright look-out |
