24/06/2026
"I'm glad X athlete isn't doing this comp because he's really good"
"Theres only a few of us so I might actually podium"
" There's no point in doing that comp because everyone's better than me"
These are all things I've heard said.
And I disagree with all of them!
Having a deep, competitive field not only means you have to earn your placement but it also gives the most opportunities to learn and develop as an athlete.
I want to compete agaisnt the best athletes.
I want to compete in fields of 15+ plus athletes.
I want to see how the athletes ahead of me approach competing, warmups, bad events, good events, nutrition.
I want to push myself to chase athletes who are objectively better than me.
If I place 10th out of 15 I know I earned that place, fighting for any and every point I can take.
If I place 2nd out of 2 or 3 I can't feel that good about it.
We all compete in any sport to do well, we all want good placements. But those placements are subject to the field you are competing against
15th out of the 15 best guys in your category is still better than 2nd out 4 in a comp you are too strong for
