Are You Competitive?

I believe there to be different levels of competitiveness and I've tried to figure out just which one I am. I'm still not a 100% sure. You see I'm competitive to a point, but... I'm really competitive against myself. Let me tell you what I've discovered over time by simply observing people.

First what is competition: It is a contest between individuals for prestige, recognition, awards, social status, and/or leadership. It arises whenever at least two parties strive for a goal which cannot be shared or which is desired individually. Competition occurs naturally.

1. The EXTREME competitor: This person will talk a lot of smack, will do everything within their power to be first...to win. They will critique their opponents performance and form, refuse to congratulate them or say good job. Give you death glares and dirty looks, like how dare you attempt to beat them. They are moody and sore losers. They become the 'challenge' everybody wants to beat so and so because well 1. it gets under their skin and 2. it just shows them that they can not always be first. They tend to make others feel less than and/or even miserable sometimes.
2. The GOLDEN competitor: This is the one I think we should all want to be. The one who generally wins, but hangs out just to congratulate each and every competitor. The one who if they don't get 1st place may be disheartened but will still shake hands with the winner and accept it. The one who encourages everyone to just try, to keep going, and helping them learn to believe in themselves because they think if SHE/HE believes in me then just maybe I can do this. They make great coaches. 
3. The AVERAGE competitor: This is the middle of the road competitor. The one who enjoys winning but doesn't feel as if the HAVE to win. They are mainly there for themselves, to find out who they are, what they are made of, if they have the ability to even be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. They usually finish middle of the pack until they find it within themselves to push just that little bit further. The shock themselves when they come first or accomplish a task they didn't think they could. They become the "I MADE IT" competitor. They are a blessing to watch and huge encouragement to so many people. Sadly, they generally have no idea how many people they are touching just by showing up and doing it.
4. The BITCH-SLAP competitor: This is the one who is out to get you because you pissed her/him off. She is going to beat you because you stepped on her toes, invaded her space, took advantage of her personal time, got under her skin in a bad way and the desire to win is purely to shut you up. Her/His drive to win is fueled by whatever you did to them & you may not even know you did it or that you have become the enemy or one to beat...you just are. 
5. The SNEAKY competitor: This is the funny one. He/She watches and waits and strikes when you least expect them to. They see their chance and they take it, because they have observed your competition skills and know how you work. They sort or profile you and then without saying a word to anyone set out to beat you. Their drive is to be the one that just comes jogging up past you like its nothing, they'll smile, say hi and continue on their way laughing inside so not to hurt anyone's feelings. They are also sometimes considered the 'under dog'. They train hard and they keep to themselves. You have to beware of this one.

Which one am I? That's where I struggle. I'm not extreme by any means, however I believe I have a little bit of the others in me, so what does that make me? I like to encourage people, I like to win when I can, but I don't have to be 1st. I do have some drive that is fueled by a person that got seriously under my skin and once in awhile I feel like the under dog that came out on top. So what kind of competitor does that make me? I'm going to suggest 'well-rounded', but I really do know. 

When I run, I run for me...to beat my previous time. That's about the ONLY type of competitions I've been in. Sure at CrossFit Stags & Does it's nice to come in first or middle of the row on the WOD. So I suppose that counts as some competing. I don't tend to think fast, fast, faster during a WOD. I usually think, "just don't be last". 

Now, if I see I'm going to beat someone that is in my book unbeatable I will do my best to go just a little bit faster, but I usually do not realize this until I'm almost finished. That happened to me on Monday. I had 3 burpees to go and knew I had her. I only had her by 10 seconds, but it was a victory for me and it felt nice. However, had she already finished there is a chance I probably would have been 10 seconds slower. I suppose I'm a watchful competitor as well. If I hadn't seen out the corner of my eye that she was still working I wouldn't have known I had a chance to beat her. 

I guess I'm still learning what type of competitor I am. I know one thing tho, I never want to be that extreme competitor that makes others feel less than. It's not a nice feeling to have. It takes a lot of courage and bravery to put yourself out there and when you do it is really nice to have someone cheering for you, encouraging you and praising your accomplishment no matter how big or small. Most of all its really nice to have someone believe in you...it's those people that push you, that make you think just maybe you can and it's those people you don't want to let down. The spectator becomes the fuel for the competitor. Kinda ironic uh? 

My first fitness competition is tomorrow...I'm only nervous about 2 things; breathing and the 10% incline run. I've trained for this, hopefully enough. I would love to be one of the top 3. I know if I make it to the run part by a certain time I have a chance - that last minute push I might require. My friend Jessica is going to cheer me on and give me that thumbs up if I get to the run within the time I believe I need to be there. That thumbs up will give me what I had on Monday when I beat another member by 10 seconds. Those 10 seconds could be the deciding factor in whether or not my name gets up on that board. Every second will count. My trainer told me I could do this...I'm trying my best to believe him. I've played the competition over and over in my head. I know what I have to do. I just pray it is enough. 

• So what kind of competitor are you? 
• How do you know? 
• What gives you that drive to compete? 
• Do you go insane the 48 hours before a competition?
• What advice would you give competitors & spectators?