Jul 31, 2023

YOU NEED TWO THINGS TO BE AN EFFECTIVE SPRINTER

I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE AMAZING CAREER OF MARK CAVENDISH. So many fabled victories and championships over such a long career...

... how does he do it?

It seems like every year, some new rocket launches into the pro ranks.
Blowing everyone away,
then disappearing.

I think I have it.

If you have these two things you will win races.

Guaranteed.

Why?

Well, it's not enough to be fast.
Lots of racers are fast.

However, to be new.

That is different.

The other sprinters don't know you yet.
They may have heard of you.
Seeing is where it's at.

When I see you sprint, I start to learn your tendencies.

etc.

Just look at all the sprinters of the last 5 years.
They jump on the scene.
Get some wins.
Start losing.

Not the greats.
Not Cav.

The wins don't come as often,
but, they keep coming.

I think it's that he's more professional,
and the rest are just winging it.

For me, it seems like all the science has been to the climbers.

Sprinters are an after thought.

The big brains of the sport are nothing like the lore of the great pitchers in American baseball. They study each batter, know them inside and out...

... it's the same with the batters on the pitchers.

Maybe the teams do study the up and comers, I dunno. It just seems like an afterthought.

And then there's Mark.

I'm guessing, I'm betting...

... that cat takes nothing to chance.

Not only that, I'll wager he's thought of
a hundred ways to win each sprint
he rolls into for himself
and his competitors...

... maybe it's these two things, then?

Know the enemy and know yourself,
in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.

- Sun Tsu

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164.8
7.5 ish hrs
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling

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