Alright, the Olympics are over for now (but don’t worry, the Paralympics are coming, and we all know they are WAY cooler!). We've all undoubtedly heard or been inspired by some of the incredible stories that came out of the Olympics. In my mind, one story stands out as particularly inspirational—a story that motivates us to believe that anything is truly possible. It's the story of Kristen Faulkner, the American cyclist who, in just a few years, went from a newbie to an Olympic gold medalist. Her journey is downright amazing and should inspire all of us to chase our potential.
However, I believe it’s important to put this into context.
Often, athletes hear stories like Kristen’s or that of Molly Seidel, who qualified for the Olympic marathon in her first ever marathon, and the takeaway can quickly become, “Why can’t I make progress that fast?” But here’s the thing: CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING. When we hear these stories, it’s easy to believe these athletes came out of nowhere straight into Olympic glory. But that isn’t the case.
Let’s take Faulkner, for example. Was she new to cycling in 2017 and did she goon to win gold a mere seven years later? Yes, and that is amazing. BUT she was also a Division I rower for four years at one of the strongest rowing schools in the world—Harvard. Kristen had been training and building the power that would drive her to win gold for many years before she became a cyclist. So while she was new to the discipline of cycling, she was not new to training, and she had already built up the physical abilities and habits that would carry her to gold in a remarkably short time.
Similarly, let’s consider Molly Seidel. In 2021, she remarkably earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic marathon team in her first-ever attempt at the distance. What wasn’t often talked about, however, was that Seidel was a Division I Cross-Country and Track and Field National Champion before transitioning to the marathon. She certainly wasn’t going from couch to marathon.
Again, I have incredible respect for both of these athletes and do not in any way want to diminish their amazing success. However, I think it’s incredibly important to look at the whole picture and recognize the many years of hard work it took them to get there—not just the clickbait headlines. It’s important to have the full context so we understand the work it takes to achieve success and don’t fall into the trap of thinking it can happen overnight. No great physical achievement happens overnight; it takes long-term dedication and effort.
So, please, be motivated and inspired by these stories—but be motivated to PUT IN THE WORK, just as these athletes have.
*Time Trial Tuesday posts are intended to be short primer posts to get you thinking, but they are also challenges for myself to see how quickly and simply I can get the topic across to all of you. I give myself 5 minutes on the clock to write each one. No filter, No editing, Just the thoughts in my head..... Scary.
About Nick Farr
Nick is the owner and Head Coach at P3 Fitness and has been a dedicated triathlete and runner for over 20 years. With a passion for endurance sports, Nick brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his coaching, specializing in triathlon, running, and cycling. As an accomplished athlete and certified multi-discipline coach, he has guided countless athletes to reach their personal bests and achieve their goals. In his role as a Triathlon coach at P3 Fitness, Nick is committed to helping each individual unlock their full potential through tailored training programs and expert guidance.
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