I was announcing at a triathlon recently and, as usual, spent a lot of time watching athletes cross the finish line. While many were genuinely happy with their race — smiling, hugging family, and soaking in the atmosphere — more than a few looked deflated. Not injured or exhausted, but disappointed. You could hear it in the snippets of conversation: “I was five minutes slower than last year,” “I lost too much time in transition,” “She beat me by a minute and I was ahead on the bike.”
It struck me, not for the first time, how easily we let comparisons — to others, to past performances, to pre-race expectations — rob us of joy. And I often find myself wishing that athletes could be more like horses or dogs.
Stick with me.
I’ve watched racehorses gallop at full tilt down a track and greyhounds tearing across a field, and the one thing that always stands out is the sheer joy in their movement. No comparison. No overthinking. No frustration at not running a PB. Just the simple, primal pleasure of moving as fast as they can, for the love of it.
The Wisdom of Animals
Dogs and horses don’t do performance reviews. They don’t analyse their pacing strategy or sulk over a sub-par run. They sprint, they gallop, they give it everything in the moment — and then they’re done. Tail wagging, ears twitching, totally present.
They don’t race to prove anything. They race because they love it. Because it’s in their nature. Because it feels good.
There’s something pure and uncomplicated about that. Something we could all benefit from remembering.
Why We Struggle
As athletes, we live in a world of metrics. Watches, apps, leaderboards, and power data — everything is measured, recorded, and ranked. And there’s value in that, of course. Data can guide smart training, track progress, and identify areas for improvement.
But it also creates a trap. When every session becomes a test and every race a judgement, we lose sight of what drew us to sport in the first place — the joy of movement, the satisfaction of effort, the simple pleasure of doing something hard and doing it well.
Too often, we cross the finish line not with celebration, but with self-critique. Not fast enough. Not strong enough. Not good enough.
The Hidden Cost of Comparison
This habit of comparison and self-measurement can quietly erode the very things we need to thrive — confidence, motivation, and enjoyment.
It’s the athlete who finishes faster than last year but still feels like they failed because they didn’t hit an arbitrary target. It’s the triathlete who trained consistently, raced courageously, but can’t enjoy the moment because someone else in their age group beat them.
Comparison doesn’t inspire; it constricts. It turns sport into a test of worth, instead of an expression of passion.
Reclaiming Joy
So how do we reclaim the joy of movement? How do we channel a bit more greyhound energy, or a touch of racehorse spirit?
Here are a few ideas:
- Be present. Notice how your body feels during training. Tune into your breath, your stride, the ground underfoot. Let go of the numbers, even for a moment.
- Celebrate effort. Not every session needs to be measured in watts or seconds. Some days, just showing up and giving your best is more than enough.
- Train without data. Occasionally ditch the watch or ignore the numbers. Run by feel. Swim without looking at the clock. Ride a favourite route and leave your head unit at home.
- Play more. Do something silly. Chase your dog around the garden. Race your kids to the end of the road. Reconnect with the fun side of fitness.
Rethinking Success
What if we redefined success?
What if success meant running with freedom, riding with joy, and finishing with a smile? What if it meant listening to your body, honouring your effort, and being proud of what you did today — not because it beat yesterday, but because it mattered?
What if we stopped tying our self-worth to split times and rankings, and started seeing the bigger picture?
Because your value doesn’t hinge on a PB. It isn’t tied to your race result. And it certainly isn’t diminished by someone else’s performance.
The Freedom of Unmeasured Joy
Imagine finishing a race with your metaphorical tail wagging — not because it was perfect, but because it was yours. Because you showed up, gave your best, and remembered to enjoy the ride.
You can still have goals. You can still train smart and race hard. But you don’t have to sacrifice joy at the altar of performance.
So, the next time you head out to train or toe the line on race day, take a deep breath and ask yourself: What would the dog do?
Then run like that.
Ready to train like a man — but feel like a dog?
Join SWAT and rediscover the joy of moving well, getting strong, and showing up for you.
No ego. No gimmicks. Just smart training, solid habits, and a crew that’s got your back.
👉 Join SWAT today and #BeMoreDog.
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Thanks for being part of the tribe — I’m here to help you stay healthy, strong, and performing at your best.
Simon
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