The Surprising Source of Motivation for Triathlete Paula Findlay: Strava Challenges Over Racing
A Revelation on the Slopes of Mt. Lemmon
Imagine pushing yourself up a steep, winding climb, where every pedal stroke brings you closer not just to the physical peak, but to a personal revelation. This was the experience of Canadian triathlon icon Paula Findlay on the challenging slopes of Arizona's Mt. Lemmon. Despite her decorated career, including multiple podium finishes, Findlay recently shared a candid insight: "I know it's just a silly Strava segment but I really care about it and somehow I can get more out of myself chasing Strava segments than I do in racing sometimes."
This admission came after she tackled the notorious climb, improving her previous best by nearly three minutes but missing the Queen of the Mountain (QOM) title by just 69 seconds. Her time of 1h32:46 not only marked a personal achievement but also sparked a broader conversation about motivation and performance in sports.
Why Strava Challenges?
The allure of Strava challenges, as opposed to formal races, might seem puzzling at first. However, for athletes like Findlay, these challenges offer a unique set of psychological and physical stimuli that differ significantly from traditional racing environments.
Personal Benchmarking
Returning to Mt. Lemmon after five years, Findlay wasn't just racing against others; she was racing against her former self. This form of personal benchmarking is incredibly motivating because it's purely about self-improvement, free from external pressures of competition and the expectations of spectators and sponsors.
Controlled Conditions
Unlike the unpredictable variables of race day, Strava challenges like the Mt. Lemmon climb allow athletes to choose their moment of attack. They can wait for perfect weather, minimal traffic, and peak personal fitness—factors that are often left to chance in scheduled races. This control can lead to performances that are not just about speed or endurance, but about mastering the conditions themselves.
The Puzzle of Performance
Findlay describes her attempt as solving a puzzle—balancing wind direction, temperature, and equipment. This strategic element transforms the challenge from a mere physical test to a mental one, engaging the athlete’s problem-solving skills alongside their physical capabilities.
The Broader Implications for Athletes
Findlay's experience underscores a crucial aspect of athletic training and competition: the importance of understanding what motivates us individually. While the structured competition of race day brings its own thrills and challenges, the solitary pursuit of a Strava challenge can tap into deeper, more personal reserves of motivation and determination.
Community and Support
Even in her solo challenge, Findlay was not alone. Accompanied by her partner and fellow athletes, she highlights how community support plays a role even in individual achievements. This blend of personal endeavor with community support creates a balanced environment where athletes can thrive both socially and competitively.
Lessons in Flexibility and Focus
For all athletes, understanding the value of flexibility in training and focusing on personal growth can be transformative. Whether it’s returning to a familiar challenge after years to measure improvement or choosing a day when everything feels right for a personal best, these decisions empower athletes to own their journeys.
Embracing the Journey
Paula Findlay’s near-miss on the QOM title is less about the seconds she fell short and more about the journey she embraced fully. Her story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most profound victories aren’t about crossing the finish line first but about setting personal goals that push us to explore our limits.
As athletes, whether professional or amateur, we can all learn from Findlay’s approach. It’s not just about the medals and podiums but about finding joy in the challenges we set for ourselves, the personal records we break, and the unexpected lessons we learn along the way.
What drives you in your athletic pursuits? Is it the competition with others, or the competition within yourself? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
Follow Paula Findlay's journey and her blend of professional racing and personal challenges on Instagram.
Who is Paula Findlay?
Paula Findlay is a Canadian middle-distance triathlon superstar and a three-time Canadian National Time Trial Champion known for her accomplishments in IRONMAN 70.3 races.
What notable achievement did Paula Findlay make on Mt Lemmon?
In her recent attempt at climbing Mt Lemmon, Paula Findlay missed out on the women’s Queen of the Mountain (QOM) by 69 seconds, but she improved her time by almost three minutes compared to her previous attempt five years ago.
Why does Paula Findlay sometimes prefer chasing Strava segments over racing?
Paula Findlay mentioned that she sometimes gets more out of herself when chasing Strava segments because she truly cares about them and can push harder compared to racing.
What factors does Paula Findlay consider crucial for her climb on Mt Lemmon?
Paula Findlay considers factors such as wind direction, temperature, traffic, and the choice between a road bike or a time trial (TT) bike as crucial elements to perfection on her Mt Lemmon climb.
Who supported Paula Findlay during her recent Mt Lemmon climb?
Paula Findlay had support from her partner Eric Lagerstrom, along with husband and wife triathletes and ultrarunners, Sean Watkins and Heather Jackson, during her climb.
Source: https://www.tri247.com/triathlon-news/elite/paula-findlay-triathlete-strava-vs-racing
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