Marco and Giovanni are two master swimmers from a small town near a lake.
Giovanni is tall and lanky, while Marco is shorter but with powerful muscles.
They’ve been swimming together since they were kids.
Now, at the age of 43, they continue to compete in their category, striving to improve their performance despite the passing years.
Marco is supported in his pursuit of results by a nutritionist and fitness coach who meticulously organizes his nutrition and training.
Being an elite athlete, Marco’s nutritionist understands his needs and incorporates the latest scientific findings in both nutrition and training, helping him improve, even in the so-called “Marginal Gains.”
Giovanni, on the other hand, is Marco’s training partner and drinking buddy. For this reason, Giovanni is Marco’s biggest nemesis, always trying to lead him astray.
Giovanni has never had issues with weight gain or performance and is confident in himself because he manages to reach the top without much effort.
He has always beaten Marco, ever since they were kids.
Unfortunately, Marco is the exact opposite. He gains weight easily and has to make significant sacrifices to improve.
Over the years, Marco has tried many times to beat Giovanni.
He still remembers that time during the national championships in the 200m freestyle, when he started strong but towards the end of the race, his legs and arms, full of lactic acid, gave out dramatically under Giovanni’s late surge.
It’s 7:00 AM on a hot day.
Hot not just because of the temperature, but also because Marco and Giovanni are preparing for one of the most important races of their lives.
Marco is packing his last few items into his bag.
He checks his goggles, his swim cap, and starts thinking about how to perform his best in the race.
He feels that, compared to previous years, something is different. His attitude has changed. His training and nutrition are now guided by a professional, and this time, he really wants to beat his friend Giovanni.
Today is a special day; they are about to compete in the final of the national championships, and Marco is hoping to qualify for the World Masters Championships.
He’s followed his nutritionist’s advice to the letter.
But one doubt lingers in his mind…
Should I use this substance or not?
The doorbell rings. Giovanni has come to pick him up for the race.
Marco invites him in, and as Giovanni crosses the threshold, memories of the defeats his friend has dealt him over the years resurface in Marco’s mind.
The thought of losing again begins to push aside Marco’s hesitation about using the white powder.
“Just a few more seconds to decide…”
He remembers very well his nutritionist’s words after the first time he used that substance and something went terribly wrong.
Unfortunately, that time Marco had misjudged the timing…
The nutritionist had emphasized multiple times that he should take the powder in capsule form 2.5 hours before the race, along with plenty of carbohydrates and continuous hydration.
But Marco, in his rush, hadn’t listened, and everything had gone downhill.
The worst race of his life! Abdominal cramps, exhaustion, dehydration.
Giovanni makes his way into the kitchen.
Seeing him erases all doubts from Marco’s mind. “It’s now or never!” Marco thinks as he swallows the capsules.
Giovanni enters the kitchen and jokes, “Did you eat something heavy last night?”
The two hop into the car and head to the race venue.
The atmosphere is electric, full of excitement for the big event. Many athletes are competing for a spot in the World Championships.
Finally, the race begins!
The two friends are side by side.
The sharp smell of chlorine fills Marco’s nostrils.
He quickly checks his readiness. His heartbeat rises as he approaches the starting blocks.
“Stay calm,” he keeps repeating to himself.
His feet touch the rough surface of the starting block, an almost unpleasant sensation to the touch.
“Take your mark!”
The referee’s voice echoes through the arena.
Beep! They’re off!
Marco’s dive isn’t great; the tension must have gotten the best of him.
He’s behind after the first turn.
Giovanni is in second place but is accelerating and challenging the frontrunner.
Four, five, six strokes, and Giovanni takes the lead at the 100-meter turn.
Marco, due to his poor start, is lagging in fourth.
This is the moment when acidosis sets “fire” to his leg and arm muscles; they stop responding to commands.
His brain is constantly telling him to quit.
Giovanni is still in first, but he’s starting to show signs of fatigue.
His stroke isn’t as smooth as before.
And Marco?
Check!
Marco listens to his body, and nearing the last turn, he should also be feeling the burn by now!
But…
Not this time. This time, something feels different.
He still has fuel left in the tank.
Could the white powder really be working?
Marco starts his acceleration; the top four are all bunched together.
Giovanni begins to falter but holds on to second place.
Marco is now third, right behind his friend.
Giovanni notices Marco closing in but isn’t worried…
After all, in over 30 years of swimming together, Marco has never beaten him.
But this time, something strange is happening.
Marco is accelerating consistently and overtakes Giovanni.
There are only 20 meters left.
Now Marco feels that familiar burning sensation that had always stopped him before…
But today is different!
He manages to push through the last meters and takes a silver medal that feels like gold!
He had never beaten Giovanni before, and the joy of defeating him is even greater than securing second place in the national championships.
On top of that, Marco’s time qualifies him for the World Masters Championships.
The celebrations begin!
Giovanni embraces Marco and asks, “How did you do it?”
Marco replies, “I ate something heavy last night, but don’t tell anyone!”
The story of Marco and Giovanni teaches us two important lessons:
- If you want to achieve something in life, you should never give up, even if the goal seems out of reach.
- To achieve significant results, you need to meticulously focus on every detail.
It was a pleasure sharing this story with you.
A warm goodbye, and always stay in shape!
Wait…
You want to know what the white powder was?
It was baking soda!
Yes, the same baking soda used to reduce stomach acidity.
Do you want to know how you can use it to beat your competitors?
For now, I can tell you that you can take 300mg per kilogram of body weight 2 hours and 30 minutes before your race.
But don’t tell anyone 😉
If you want to know everything there is to know about this supplement, read the article (in italian only) on Undertraining’s blog for more in-depth information.
And if you want to become an even stronger athlete than you are today, join us: choose the From Zero To Hero program and become a super athlete!
