ARE YOU A HOMER, TOO?
THERE ISN'T ANYTHING LIKE CHEERING for the home team. Spend some time learning who's got talent, watch a few lead ups, and...
... win or lose, it's thrilling.
Of all the standout Olympic performances,
here are an outstanding and instructive three.
First, Noah Lyles.
I had a chance to watch some of his racing earlier this year.
This kid's confidence is unreal.
Some might say...
- arrogant
- obnoxious
- rude and taunting
... to me, the kid is just pumped to race.
But, how pumped would you be if you saw the racer favored to be the champion get out to a much faster start?
Instead of first,
you're mid-pack, at best.
That was Lyles start of the 100 meter final...
- he believed
- kept running hard
- was fastest in the final 20 meters
... the announcers claimed his chief rival had won.
Upon review, even though their time was identical...
... in the photo, it was clear Noah prevailed.
Second, Cole Hocker.
I dunno.
Something about this kid just doesn't look fast...
- the man bun
- lack of height
- accompanying faster leg speed
... but, he has a world-class kick in the final 200ish meters of the 1500.
There he was, in perfect position.
With the favorites around the last turn...
- After Ingebrigtsen sets a field destroying opening pace
- Kerr, the only one to recently beat him, is side by side
- and Nuguse, the favored US racer, right there
... with 100 metes to go, Ingebrigtsen and Kerr are looking at each other.
Forgotten and discounted Cole Hocker...
... muscles up the inside for the win.
Third, someone from Homer, Alaska.
Kristen Faulkner...
- not supposed to be in the cycling road race
- in Paris to race for track medals
- comparatively little experience
... is less than a nobody.
She's not even on the radar.
Of anybody.
But, herself...
- a massive VO2 engine
- a calculating mind
- a killer instinct
... and that is a powerful combination.
She...
- makes, forces, the decisive break
- Slowly drains the energy from a collaborating rival
- Pounces on the other 3 racers as they consider their medal chances
... for a stunning, solo ride to gold.
What do all 3 have in common?
Belief they could shock the world...
... led them to never, never, never give up.
===
163.7
8 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling