The day before the individual world champs

Tonight is the opening ceremony and parade, and today is that awkward time before the big race. There's almost nothing you can do at this stage to improve your performance, but there is plenty that you can do that will stuff you up. Too much rest is bad, however, and it's a mistake to lie around the house all day. Ros arrived here yesterday so we are now complete as a team. We walked the sprint course yesterday and explained things, such as the way Les Moutons kicks you viciously to the left if you are not driving right with a bit of right angle and strong strokes, but all the explaining in the world isn't worth much: much learning will only come from direct experience. There's a pic below of Ros having a learning experience. Kristy is doing it tough but we are all impressed with her amazing courage. Yesterday she had her 6th swim and lost (snapped actually) her second paddle. Lucky the rescue crews were here (they are awesome) as they have fished her out three times now and both she and her boat would be in worse condition if not for them. Question for the day: What feeling or emotion drives you to do your best in competitive situations? I'm not talking about being a better person here, but surpassing your own perceived limitation in a competitive/dangerous/critically important event where your personal performance matters. Is it pride, ambition, a desire to impress, fear, excitement, or something darker? You tell me yours and I'll tell you mine.