Test Your Competitive Nature
Take this test to determine just how competitive a runner you really are.

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By Don Allison
Posted Tuesday, 17 June, 1997

1. If an old injury started to hurt during a race:

a) you stop immediately and walk to the nearest rest stop to get ice

b) you would back off the pace until it settled down, but not stop

c) you ignore it, telling yourself you will deal with it after the race

2. When you are in a race and see a fellow runner ahead whom you think should not be ahead of you:

a) you ignore that runner, sticking to your race plan

b) you decide to keep the runner in sight, but not pass until you feel better

c) you immediately pass the runner, regardless of how you feel

3. If a supplement came on the market that was sure to help your running performance but would make you feel nauseous after the race:

a) you would not take the supplement, sticking to your basic diet

b) you would not take the supplement, but look for something else that might help your running

c) you would take the supplement anyway, and deal with the nausea.

4. When looking at the results page of Cool Running:

a) you generally browse the results for overall interest

b) you look to see who won and how people you know did in races

c) you look at the age group results, checking to see what place you would have finished, based on your recent times for that distance.

5. When you say "good luck" to a friend or fellow club member of similar ability before the race, what you really mean is:

a) you hope they have a great race

b) you hope you both run well, with you just a little bit ahead

c) you could care less how they do, as long as you are ahead of them

6. If there were two similar races you were interested in running on a particular day, you would make your choice based on:

a) which race your friends were going to

b) which race you could run a faster time

c) which race you had a better chance at winning an age group prize

7. If you have a poor performance in a race, and some friends ask you to get together to go out to eat afterwards:

a) you would join them and enjoy the chance to socialize

b) you would go, hoping talking about your race might help you get over it.

c) you would not go, because you couldn't take being around others who had a good race.

8. If you had trained for a big race, and your boss at work asked you to work late all that week on a project that you knew would affect your rest and preparation for that race:

a) you would work late, deciding later if you were feeling up to running in the race

b) you would work late, but make other adjustments in your life in order to rest and prepare for the race

c) you would tell the boss you had already committed to something else and could not work late that week.

9. If you trained for months for a big race, and the day turned up dangerously hot:

a) you would abandon your time goal and just run to finish, stopping if you felt dehydrated or overheated

b) you would adjust your time goal by 30 seconds to a minute per mile, but finish the race if at all possible

c) you would start at the planned pace, hoping you could get away with it without suffering dehydration and heat prostration.

10. If someone passes you in the finish chute after a road race in which you crossed the line in front of them:

a) you don't worry about it

b) you make a mental note to follow up on it if that person is listed in front of you in the results

c) you rush up to that person and push back ahead of them in the chute

11. When you run a PR in a race:

a) you are surprised and wonder if the course is short

b) you enjoy your successful effort

c) you wonder if you might have been able to run even faster

Add up you score, giving one point for all "a" answers, two points for all "b" answers, and three points for all "c" answers.

Score Analysis:

Over 30: Woa! Turn down the heat before you hurt someone!

25-29: A real fighter. Racing is no joke to you.

19-24: A race director's dream.

14-18: Could use a little extra "oomph" in your race efforts.

Less than 13: Check your pulse to see if you are alive.

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