The Tri Town Times: 4/20/20

Hi all,

 

Today is the two year anniversary of the Tri Town Times. Back then, I was feeling a bit out-of-touch with the triathlon industry- despite the fact that I own a triathlon store! It's easy to get overly consumed with the day to day operations of a business, and I needed a way to keep to the bigger picture in perspective.

 

The goal of the newsletter was simple: share useful and interesting information in a short, clean, and simple format to keep ourselves and our clients up to speed on the triathlon and endurance community. I try to write the type of newsletter I would like to receive, and the key topics highlighted in the newsletter are a reflection of that.

 

So what is the single most valuable lesson I've learned since starting this newsletter two years ago? It would be the value of continuous learning. We must continue to push our understanding of ourselves, our sport, and our industry. We're not on a journey with an ending point. The desire to improve ourselves and seek the truth should be everlasting.

 

I've come to deeply appreciate the Dunning-Kruger effect: which elegantly states one's own incompetence can lead to an inflated feeling of confidence. It's not until we scratch beneath the surface of something that we begin to see how challenging, complex, and variable a topic may be. And it's during this period of discovery that our personal confidence on the topic may take a temporary nosedive.

 

How often do we see this happen every season in triathlon? An athlete signs up for their first triathlon, and why not have it be an Ironman? Confidence is high going into the first training block, but as months go by, and fatigue builds up, the reality of the training sets in. The gravity and magnitude of the task begins to shatter their confidence. This is the point where the willpower of many are broken.

 

But not all athletes break at this point. A friend I greatly admire recently told me it took him 13 Ironman races before he qualified for the Ironman World Championships. I've know him for 10 years, and I've never known him not to qualify for the World Champs. How low did his confidence get after his 5th, 10th, even 12th race? But how much wisdom, patience, and true, deep routed confidence did he build up over those same years? This brutal right of passage may be his greatest strength.

 

Thank you for following along on this journey the past two years. I hope this newsletter is not only something you look forward to every week, but that it adds to your personal journey of discovery and self-improvement.

 

 

Here is your weekly TT Times newsletter:

 

 

As an extension of the thoughts on the Dunning-Kruger effect, I believe Charles Darwin said it best:

 

"Ignorance more often begets confidence than knowledge."

 

Even if you don't typically enjoy car racing, the Netflix series Formula 1: Drive to Survive is the best show to watch while riding the trainer. If you have not seen it yet, trust me and play an episode during your next indoor session- you won't regret it.

 

Have a great week!

 

Antonio Gonzalez

Tri Town