Find a Hole and Fill It

In the early 20th Century two brothers had just immigrated from Ukrainia to the United States.  Immediately upon their arrival they took a train from New York to Chicago. The train passed through large urban landscapes in America.  The brother's observed dozens of `junk yards' on the sides of the route along the way.  




They determined that they would find a way to buy a junk yard, run it like a real business and with the profits buy one, two, three and more junk yards.  They did.  And then they started buying more small industrial companies, instituted solid business management principles and generated profits to support even more entrepreneurial activities.  By the end of World War II these brothers owned a staggering number of small to large businesses. From banks to steel fabricating plants to major hotel chains.  The Pritzker brothers.

When asked how they were able to be so successful they gave a staggeringly simple response: "Find a hole and fill it!"

A few days ago I participated in yet another ultra racing bicycle event, No Country for Old Men.  Having undergone two surgeries and knee replacements in the past fourteen (14) months I wanted to get a baseline as to my overall bicycle fitness and capacity. I had little expectation of finishing the 206 mile hilly event in the 16 hour time limit.  But I was looking `for a hole to fill.'  That is, after an almost two year hiatus from vigorous training I wanted to know my limit and start building a training plan for return to competitive shape.  

Nine hours and 100 miles later I know what I have to do to regain strength and stamina to begin my return.  An added bonus from this event: my capacity to recover quickly from an exhausting effort is better -- much better -- than I had expected.