The Tri Town Times: 8/5/24

• Posted on 6 August 2024
• By Antonio Gonzalez
• Posted in the tri town times
• 0

The trick is not minding that it hurts.

Hi all,

Here is your weekly Tri Town Times newsletter:

Last week's highlights:

Olympic highlights:

- The United States rebounded from a very disappointing Olympics for their triathlon team by taking the silver medal in the mixed-team relay. The event was very tight, with Germany winning the race and the US beating Team GB for silver in a photo finish. The entire podium was separated by less than one second. Highlight video.

- Two-time 70.3 world champion Taylor Knibb was the only American to qualify for two event Olympic events at this Olympics. During the rain-soaked time trial, she unfortunately crashed four times, finishing in 19th place. A slow swim at the triathlon event saw her exit the water near the back of the pack, and she also finished that race in 19th place. She helped redeem these disappointments by helping Team USA take silver in the mixed relay, her second silver medal in the event.

- Kristen Faulkner of Homer, Alaska, who had originally not even qualified for the Olympic road race, won the gold with a dominant performance. Highlight video.

- Haley Batten won the silver medal in the women's cross-country mountain bike event. This is the first Olympic medal for the United States in any Olympic cross-country mountain bike event.

- Tom Pidcock, who had to abandon this year's Tour de France early due to Covid, recovered well enough from the virus to win his second Olympic gold medal in the cross-country mountain bike race. Despite losing approximately 30 seconds to a flat tire earlier in the race, Tom made a critical pass on the last lap when race leader Victor Koretzky of France became briefly hung up on loose terrain.

- Katie Ledecky became the most decorated female swimmer in history, winning gold in both the 800 meter and 1500 meter freestyle events. The 800 was her ninth Olympic gold medal.

Events I'm looking forward to:

- The Olympic track cycling events start today.

- The scenic and challenging Olympic marathon is August 10th (men's) and 11th (women's).

Quote that struck a chord:

“Courage is knowing it might hurt and doing it anyway. Stupidity is the same. And that's why life is hard.” - Jeremy Goldberg

There is a scene in Laurence of Arabia in which T.E. Lawrence extinguishes a candle with his fingers. A fellow officer, William Potter, tries the same and exclaims, "Ooh! It damn well 'urts!" Lawrence responds, "Certainly it hurts... The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts."

This scene captures the essence of elite performance and great work. We must do the training, pay our dues, and accept the sacrifices required without complaint.

The challenge lies in discerning the difference between determination and foolishness when facing consequences and sacrifices. Like Michelangelo carving a marble block, we must carefully remove what is unnecessary to reveal the angel within. However, overdoing it can ruin the work.

When you're confident you're on the right path and things get tough, the trick is not minding that it hurts. But if you're unsure of your path and it begins to hurt, take a moment to reflect and consider your options.

If you have a moment to spare:

The United States has won just over 3,000 medals since the modern Olympic Games began in 1896, and over 1,000 of them have been gold.

Have a great week!

Antonio Gonzalez

Tri Town Bicycles

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