[runeks]

I get the depositing analogy, but how is he withdrawing anything when he competes? Competing is just training with more incentive. If anything, he's much better/stronger after having performed at a competition than before. After resting for a week or so, of course.

[mattdeboard]

This is a remarkably pedantic sentiment. Competing is not "just training with more incentive". Competition is the thing you train for. The differences psychologically are so obvious that they're not really worth enumerating.

[wccrawford]

Yeah, the withdrawing part of the analogy was weak. He had as much in the bank as he always did. In terms of physical fitness and ability, you only 'withdraw' when you stop practicing and let yourself go. I don't see a competition as doing that at all.