There’s something I often find myself thinking about as I continue training in triathlon.
That is this: the “fundamental skills” required for each discipline—swim, bike, and run—are actually very simple. The training itself is nothing special either; most of it is just repeating the basics over and over.
But how deeply, accurately, and consistently you can commit to these “simple things” makes all the difference. I feel that this is the dividing line between achieving results and being able to move on to the next level.
You make a daily plan and steadily carry it out.
It might sound easy—but in reality, it’s very difficult. That’s because the basics are so simple that people are easily tempted to think, “Isn’t there a better way?” We start looking for shortcuts or new theories.
Of course, trying new approaches is important too. But more than anything else, I believe what matters most is reliably and steadily stacking simple things, one by one.
In today’s world, where information is overflowing, it’s easy to get distracted by flashy tricks or secret techniques. But if you truly want results, there’s no substitute for patiently building up plain, fundamental training.
And strangely enough, when you keep accumulating these small daily efforts, they can lead you to places you never imagined you’d reach.
Through triathlon, I’ve come to truly feel this.
And I believe it’s a way of thinking that applies not only to sport, but to life itself.