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Major Taylor (1878-1932) is still considered the fastest sprinter of all time. (Major Taylor Association)
Take On Challenges Like Major Taylor
Taylor was a Black American born in Indianapolis, Indiana as one of eight children in 1878. In addition to dealing with challenges related his family's low household income, he lived during a time period before the civil rights movement. His father worked as a driver of a wealthy family's horse-drawn carriages. Taylor became friends with the son of his father's boss who, in turn, made sure that he had a bicycle so the two of them could hang out bike riding together. Taylor became enamored with bikes, including learning riding tricks that would see him through his racing career.
Use Brains, Not Just Brawn
Taylor's path to becoming a bicycle racing champion wasn't just about his lightning speed on the track. He excelled at outsmarting opponents.
He discovered early that winning was just as much about heart and courage as it was about speed and strength. For instance, he learned to feign exhaustion toward the end of the race only to suddenly revive and to sprint to the finish.
His big advantage was what he called his "lightninglike jump," a quickness in turning on the juice when needed. The jump came in especially handy when he had a competitor dangerously hugging his rear wheel or when he needed to escape a dreaded "pocket," being boxed in by several colluding rivals to keep him from bolting to the front of the pack.
Taylor's success wasn't all about speed. Rather, he could be just as wily at the start of the race. He would best strong sprinters by recalling one of the bike tricks of his youth, such as keeping his cycle almost at a standstill at the start to force a rival to take the lead. Taylor could then draft behind the other cyclist for several laps to tire him out. As the end neared, Taylor would burst out to win the contest.
Leave A Legacy
This year marks the 125th anniversary of Taylor's rise to be the world's fastest man. It happened after his victory in the one-mile event at an International championship race in Montreal. While most people may not be familiar with him, that is increasingly and inevitably changing. Major Taylor's life on and off the racetrack inspires a can-do spirit and respect for good sportsmanship in everyone who learns about the champion cyclist's struggles and successes as a Black person who had to fight prejudice just to get to the starting line.
Major Taylor's lessons for our Soldiers?
* Life is too short to hold bitterness and grudges. Focus on your goals.
* Blaze your own trail by drawing down on your personal talents & gifts. All of us have something. You must discover what that is.
* Be resilient. Never, never, never give up.
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