After reading this thread a couple of thoughts.
OP while it is fun to chase others and even have some friendly competition don't make that your focus.
My point of view is a little different. I'm in college, I work a boring job, I don't like staying up till 3 am to close down a bar. I enjoyed being competitive in high school sports(I wasn't good but I enjoyed trying to make myself better and the comradery) . I started this sport wanting to get back into being competitive and talk to other gun people about all the stuff my girlfriend is tired of hearing about. If I have a bad match I still enjoy shooting and being around all "you" fine gentlemen. I have time and financial barriers that will probably keep me from getting to the top of even my local club anytime soon but, I can buy a $10 dry fire book and put as much time and effort as I'm willing to into getting better. I could burn out with time and either stop worrying about doing better or just move on to something I enjoy as much or more.
For now my focus is getting better and seeing my name go up on practiscore. Not everyone has to have that mind set but as long as everyone is enjoying the sport does it matter what I or anyone else is trying to get out of it?