Now that you mention it, I do weekly timed runs (http://www.parkrun.org.uk/), and I definitely treasure my "ribbon" (the email I receive confirming my time and position).
I time the runs myself on my phone so the email has little real purpose, but for some reason it's very satisfying to know that my efforts have been logged in a database.
I'm unlikely to ever hit the top 20, so this is very much a participation trophy. Maybe they can be motivating after all?
Participation isn't the same as placement & external motivators can be really useful in establishing habits. The question is will you stop running if the ribbons stop flowing?
I time the runs myself on my phone so the email has little real purpose, but for some reason it's very satisfying to know that my efforts have been logged in a database.
I'm unlikely to ever hit the top 20, so this is very much a participation trophy. Maybe they can be motivating after all?