Posts
40
Joined
1/23/2016
Location
Anderson, SC
US
Edited Date/Time
3/9/2016 7:45am
Anyone who has ever raced knows what I'm talking about! At the point where it becomes "no fun" we usually stop doing it. Just ask Ricky, kevin, Travis, Jeremy, and rv (to name a few) it is very clear that James is no longer having fun. Think of the emotional stress he has put on his family over the years (mom, dad, wife, brother) this is not fun for them either. There would be NO SHAME if js called it quits, I think all real motocross fans would agree. It is just as fun to push hard at the practice track with my buddy's every weekend. But as a true fan of all racers (James we support you 100% whatever you do).
These guys do it for a living.....it's the career path they chose so if they stop having fun doing it, they better A) have enough money saved to retire or
The Shop
Anytime you do for work what other people do for fun, they'll have a hard time believing it's work for you.
The grass is always greener.
As someone that has spent most of my adult years working at jobs that I once did for fun and most others still do, I can tell you the above three statements are true.
And knowing we will have to do it until we are in our 60's.
I could see James going through similar mental struggles of what Dave Mirra went through. Once you're on top for all those years it must be difficult to be demoted to human, from the superhuman you always were (it's called aging right?). I think Reed is probably going through this as well. They both want to be on top again. They both believe they can do it because they spent so much time on the top step...
With Chad on the right bike and a healthy JS7, I believe it's possible. Definitely a long shot, but possible.
Good luck to JS7.
Some people like their job!
Some people go to their job because they need the money and don't know anything else to do!
And
Some people hate their job but still show up!
The irony of racing is that the faster a rider gets the more likely he is to lose
And that while devoting more time to the hard work of preparation. Throw in an injury and it's easy to see how a guy like Deano or AC may not be having a lot of fun, and why other guys may live with a underlying level of stress about the same thing happening that would prevent them from achieving their potential
For the rest of us, not having fun is probably a factor of taking oneself too seriously as a racer.
I find it hard to believe that there are pro racers out there that really do not like riding, in general; but there are.
I think self-imposed breaks from riding/racing are a good thing, but American MX Series make that nearly impossible.
I do think that Stewart, in this case, will still be winning races in the near future and I do not think he will have to be 100% fit to do it either. The caveat is that he will need to just get out there for kicks and giggles.
Pit Row
I've also had the opportunity to be paid to do jobs I used to do just for fun. It's ok for a while but as soon as you're expected to be there every day instead of just when you want to, it becomes a job and you don't look at it the same.
I think James is just having physical problems and a tough time shaking the rust off. JT brought up a good point on Pulp, though, that he came in out of shape and it's not clear why.
Its not that I cared a lot about winning, but losing was absolutely unacceptable to me if that makes any sense at all. Still kinda that way I suppose.
Fitness is fun.
Hiking is fun.
Ghillie and camo-paint is fun.
Weapons and explosives are so much fun!
All that said, when it's a daily grind and you have to be out there living it 24/7 it can get really, seriously old sometimes. Most days it is good, but there are days when you aren't feeling it but you just HAVE to be there and put in the effort anyway. You can't take a break and you can't let your team down.
I think it's probably the same for a pro racer or most other jobs. Good days, bad days, 'meh' days...
Post a reply to: Isn't racing supposed to be fun??