I competed in HS and college. Looking back on those years, despite the hard training, I FELT so good all the time (well, except when injured or tired from training).
After taking 15 years away from training/being fit to be a lazy working drone, I have gotten back in shape in the last 3 years, and the difference is incredible.
Being lean and fit just makes the rest of life so much better:
You feel light on your feet.
Your clothes fit over your flat stomach without embarrassing bulges.
Your mind is clearer, calmer.
Your mood is better.
As you age, you are so much more attractive than the vast majority of of your overweight peers.
I really don't care about racing, and in fact hardly ever race anymore, but basically the MAIN reason I now train consistently is to gain the benefits I just listed above.
Anyone else in a similar boat? Training regularly not for competitive goals, but simply to make the rest of life feel better?