Star Wars and Triathlon

Outside of the trite “Use the Force!” line, I didn’t really think I could tie triathlon and Star Wars together.

That was until I saw the latest Star Wars film, The Rise of Skywalker.

Tl;dr: I didn’t like it very much. At all.

Without getting into spoilers, everything that happened in the film was expected. Everything. And just as something surprising occurred, something bold and daring, the plot point walked itself backwards.

The Rise of Skywalker fluttered and sputtered because it didn’t take any chances. It hit all the expected notes, all the expected cameos. The “right” dialogue lines at the “right” times.

The film executed.

Sometimes race plans can feel boring. They’re expected, if your training is going well. You know your watts, your paces, your nutrition and the course. You know where everything is supposed to happen.

Here’s the difference. Sometimes, a special performance happens when we take a calculated risk. When we see a moment, an opportunity, to be greater. Sure, it might fail. Yes, people might regret the decision. But taking a chance based on good data, experience and intuition sometimes pays huge dividends.

Safe is good. Safe is fine. Safe works.

Sometimes though, a calculated bet is the key to the breakthrough we’re all looking for.

That’s when it’s time to Use the Force.