Hartigan, Patrick

A happily mediocre Masters rider speaks:



I think it takes awhile to really get a feel for how one should choose to race: whether according to age, or category, or either one or the other, depending on the event. The process can be difficult. It has been for me, at least, as I have had trouble knowing whether to race to prove something to myself, or to others. It is the individual's choice to race as they prefer, and there is no need in this forum for belittling people's choices.



It has helped me to focus on a particular series and train to race well in that series.



We all know older races who are very directed toward specific goals or events. Most of us, however, are glad for the opportunity to race, and are open (I think...) to options for racing. The more options, the merrier. For me, I train winter-long (when I can) for the opportunity to race the way I feel one should race. If I win, that is a gift of sorts, and is dependent on who else is (or isn't) racing that particular day.



So--apart from all this talk about butt-kicking, etc.--I would say that the only thing proven in a race is what each individual has proven to themselves.



Cheers.



Patrick Hartigan