The winner of the Tour de France, Alberto Contador, finished the 3471 km race in 91 hours 58 minutes and 48 sec.s
The guy in 4th place? Samuel Sanchez, finished in 92 hours 02 minutes 28 sec.s. – just 3 minutes 40 sec.s longer – over 3471 km.s.
The winner of this year’s Boston Marathon, Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot, ran 26.2 miles in 2:05:52.
Ryan Hall, who finished in 4th place, ran the distance in 2:08:41 – about 3 minutes slower for the 26.2 miles.
When I was in law school, the distribution of grades/GPAs over a 4.o scale from highest to lowest, could be measured in hundredths of a point.
The difference between the ‘winner’ and someone who doesn’t even place can be tiny – yet we celebrate ‘winners’, and we ridicule ‘losers.’
QUESTION: Do you think this distinction and these values makes sense? Does it make us try harder or produce better results?
I know that when I set my kids to any kind of competition, they tend to leap in if they think they have a chance of winning – and to whine and make excuses if they think they won’t.
How do your beliefs about winning and losing affect the way you set goals, the way you see yourself, and the way you treat others?
Would love to hear your views on this.
thanks, Ami
Update: corrected my Tour de France results, thanks to lip for the input.
Becky Blanton
October 26, 2010
So true. Life is measured in degrees. I love the movie about this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpJQqzJj534 because it demonstrates just how close winning and losing is. I think what matters most – winning – in terms o relationships, life and love – not races. Good post!
Ami
October 27, 2010
@Becky: Yes, people before medals. Thanks for stopping by! And thanks for the link to 212 degrees – that is an AWESOME video.
lip
October 27, 2010
Cadel Evans has never won the Tour de France
Ami
October 27, 2010
@lip: Argh! Today, I hate the internet, curses for my careless research. Will fix this and thank-you for pointing out my error. ak
Katie @ Health for the Whole Self
October 29, 2010
Interesting point. I’m almost embarrassed to admit this, but I’m a little like your children; if I think I can win I am very competitive, but if I think I can’t I sometimes don’t even try. Perhaps it’s part of my perfectionist tendencies, which I’m working on challenging.
Ami
October 29, 2010
@Katie: You are not alone! My kids come by this trait honestly – from me, probably my DH as well. I try to remember this when I’m ‘encouraging’ them to give things a try.
frances burch
November 7, 2010
I grew up to be the most non competitive person around. No brothers and sisters—thus nobody to compete with in the family framework.
Today at 79 I am a fierce competitor at tennis and other less strenuous games. It was a conscious change. I decided to compete with myself. There is no “against” in my new vocabulary. I admit to my partner that I’m out for blood—that I’ll beg, borrow, or steal to get a point. Which is to say, I want to do my very best. On the days that I accomplish the “very best” goal, I’ve won, regardless of score. It works well in old lady doubles on the tennis court.
And oh yes, I am rarely critical of myself. Negative energy is not helpful.
Ami
November 7, 2010
@Frances – When did you develop this competitive edge? Is it a recent thing or something that grew over time? Interesting that you went from noncompetitive to fierce competitor, even if it’s internal. internal competition is probably the best kind.
Rich@Life Compass
November 9, 2010
For some of my goals, I’m not really competing against others but against myself. I want to improve my personal best, win over bad habits, and live to my full potential.
Ami
November 9, 2010
@Rich: I think that competing against yourself is the best way to compete.
Jean at The Delightful Repast
November 18, 2010
From what I’ve observed, much competition is unhealthy in my opinion. I always strive to do my best, not to be better than someone else. I’ve been called naive, unrealistic, etc.; but I want the best for everyone! Whether I “win” or “lose” at something, it does not make me “more” or “less.” I’m still just me, and if I’ve done my best for that day, then I’m happy. In this consumer society, we would do well to remember that if I have enough, I don’t need to have more than you in order to be happy.
Ami
November 18, 2010
@Jean: that’s a good lesson to learn. I also tend to dislike competition – but I sometimes wonder whether it’s b/c I’m a terrible competitor! I do know that I’m happiest when I know I’ve done my best.