In 2009, Usain Bolt set a new 100m world record of 9.58 seconds. After spending countless hours studying Bolt, observing his technique, his demeanor, his nutrition, his clothing and even his genes, I have come up with the ''top 5 must haves'' if you want to run as fast as the living Legend himself.
Must have number 1. You need to be black and you need to be a man. Why? Well, the first person genetically of European origin to run under 10 seconds was Christophe Lemaître who ran 9.98sec at the French national championships in 2012. So unless you are of African origin you can pretty much stop reading now. Oh and the fastest woman to cover the distance was Florence Griffith-Joyner in 10.49 so sorry ladies, that pretty much rules you out too.
Must have number 2. You need to be able to cover 100m in the same (or less) amount of strides as Bolt did when he crossed the line in 9.58secs, which was 41. The average amount of strides taken by most pro athletes is 44. So go outside, measure out 100m and again, if you can't cover that distance in less than 45 paces... Stop reading.
Must have number 3. Eat healthy but with a few treats along the way. In an interview with FHM magazine, Bolt says his diet consists of six meals. His diet ratio consists of 60% protein, 30% carbs and 10% fats. For breakfast, Bolt prefers Jamaican dumplings (flour, water, butter and milk) and yams. For lunch, Bolt eats either tuna or snapper for additional protein with wholewheat bread and brown rice. For dinner, he sticks with either chicken, pork or beef mixed with brown rice. Every now and again the big man will have a binge, usually on fried chicken. Still reading? Great, you're doing well, onto the next one..
Must have number 4. Be less than 30 years old. This, so studies say, is the age in which your body will start to decline in its strength, muscle mass and all round fitness levels. Under 30? then continue to the final ''must have'' and you could be on your way to the gold medal and a new world record!
Must have number 5. Firstly, before I tell you what the final piece to your new found speed puzzle is, I want to congratulate you on getting this far. OK, here goes, the final, and most important Must have you've been waiting for is................... Be called Usain Bolt. Why? Because Usain Bolt is the only person to have ever, in the history of mankind, to run 100m in 9.58 seconds. Watch that here.
You see, as a race, us humans are designed as individuals. No matter how hard you try, you will never, ever, ever, ever find someone else who is exactly like you, that is because YOU ARE UNIQUE. Bolt is unique, David Beckham is unique, Richard Branson is unique and even George W Bush is unique (Thank the lord).
You came to this post in the hope of imitating someone else. Do you think all the aforementioned people want to imitate someone else? Of course not. Yes they may have had idols at one point in their lifes, but they are still individuals who have done, or are doing, something they love and are loving what they do.
Usain Bolt is a very talented and extremely gifted individual with near perfect genes for his calling in life. He also loves what he does and does what he loves. That is why he is so annoyingly good at it. Are you doing what you love and love what you do? If not, why not?
Life isn't about trying to be someone else, life is about being you. Why would you want to be anything else? Yes have an idol, we all have idols, but instead of searching how to be like someone else, search how to be you instead.
If you're not enjoying what you're doing, then you're wasting your very precious time on this wonderful planet.
For me, life is this.... Either, wake up in the morning, go to bed at night and in between do what you want to do, within reason and within the confines of the law. (recommended) OR Wake up in the morning, go to bed at night and in between do what you need to do to be able to do what you want to do, again within reason and in the confines of the law. Not - wake up in the morning go to bed at night and in between do what others want you to do or say you should do.
YOLO.
