Do you want to compete? All right, but this is your idea, not mine. I do not necessarily advocate competition-nor do I discourage it. Competition for the sportsman raises problems, necessitates changes in training techniques, incurs greater risks of injury, and requires attitudes which exceed “fitness for fun” demands.
Total, rewarding, everlasting fitness does not require competition-that is, if “competition” is defined conventionally.
Competition sounds frightfully imposing. It implies effort above and beyond the usual. But competition is the essence of life-without it there is no improvement. A certain type of competition is necessary, not optional. Although the avocation of fitness is not to be confused with the vocation of making a living, competition is inescapable. “Getting ahead” is subtle recognition of everyday competition. In fact, “getting ahead” and competition are synonymous.
There are two types of competition. In the more customary sense, competition is the act of engaging in conflict with an adversary, the aim being to win. The broader concept of competition requires a struggle to improve previous performance, whether against another adversary or against yourself. Education makes this distinction clear. The learning process can be enhanced and accelerated by accumulating sufficient facts to pass an examination with higher grades than one’s classmates. This is a somewhat sophomoric approach, which unfortunately does not die out in the elementary grades. More purposeful education for a given individual, however, results from the acquisition of more knowledge than he previously possessed for his own enjoyment. This is competition against yourself.
All fitness enthusiasts and sportsmen recognize the inevitability of self-competition. The person performing more and more exercises in shorter periods of time is competing against himself. This type of competition is unavoidable in fitness. Even more important, this is how performance improves.
The old expression, “You are your own worst enemy,” recognizes self-competition. In sports this is reworded to “You are your own best challenger.” Another saying is so restricted in scope as to make sense only in the limited meaning of competition against others: “It’s not who wins or loses, but how you play the game.” This is as cynical as Leo Durocher’s “Nice guys finish last.” Winning or losing is extremely important when you are competing against your last performance. It is not how you play the game, but whether you win or lose. And a nice guy cannot finish last if he is competing only against himself.
In fitness, competition against others is not essential. It often offers thrills, excitement, and challenges not otherwise found-but you can do without it.
The following pointers are used by athletes who compete against others.
Workouts must be altered. Until now workouts have been fun because of release of mental tension, alteration of sagging appearance, increase in self-confidence, and upsurge in feeling great.
Workouts for competition are much less fun. They are more gruelling, less happy-go-lucky, and more inflexible. As dismal as these detractions may be, workouts for competition offer a huge bonus-the deep-down satisfaction of richly deserved improved performance. Excellence of performance is a ridiculous goal except for the dedicated athlete. But better and better performance, although perhaps not exceptionally proficient, is intoxicating. Improvement and hard work are inseparable.
“Fartlek” is a Swedish term meaning “Play as you feel.” If you feel vigorous, work hard. If you feel weak, dilly-dally. A fartlek workout consists of extra effort when you feel like gut-busting exertion and easing back as you tire. For example, in canoeing you may be paddling along blissfully enjoying the scenery. Suddenly a wave of unbridled strength may engulf you. So you dig in and take a few swooshing strokes. In a couple of minutes this enthusiasm will be replaced by fatigue and you can settle back into daydreaming. Upstream ten minutes later may find you again paddling up a storm. In fartlek, alternately overexert or coast according to how you feel.

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