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Professional cyclist Greg Lemond said, "It doesn't get any easier; you just get faster."
Lemond is a 3-time winner of the Tour Dr France. He also won a great many other cycling races. He is considered by many to be the all-time greatest American cyclist. While other cyclists have been caught cheating via blood doping, Lemond was so strongly opposed to cheating that he quit his team when his teammates were found breaking the rules.
Cycling is an endurance sport, meaning effort matters as much as strategy. The Tour de France is so hard that in 1967 a race leader died from over-exertion. So when Lemond says it doesn't get easier, he's speaking from experience.
Teaching notes
First, get your student's thoughts.
Then read it.
Questions & ideas for discussion
- Can you rephrase Lemond's quote? What do you think he's really saying?
- Lemond never lets up. He's not racing other cyclists. He's not racing the clock. He's racing himself.
- What does "get faster" mean in your case?
- Lemond is a cyclist, so his metric is time. He wants to be faster.
- Is your metric your salary, or hours you study, or something else—?
- Do you stop when you are "fast enough", or do you keep the same intensity?
- Can you take Lemond's quote too far?
- Lemond had a relatively short cycling career.
Part of the reason was that he injured himself from over-training. Another part was seen as a psychological collapse. Maybe he pushed himself too hard.
- Lemond had a relatively short cycling career.
- Is there an opposite proverb or quote?
- the opposite might be, "Quit while you are ahead" or perhaps, "Stop and smell the roses."
- One athlete with an opposite approach is Roger Federer. He is known to enjoy plenty of family time, even during critical periods like just before a big game, when other athletes are training.
- What can you learn from Lemond?
- Up to you!
Discussion
Can you rephrase Lemond's quote? What do you think he's really saying?
What does "get faster" mean in your case?
Can you take Lemond's quote too far? Is there an opposite proverb or quote?
What can you learn from Lemond?