I've found myself searching on Google 'person X who has achieved Y by age Z'. There is frequently someone that has gotten to the point where you want to go before you do. Definitely, it makes things easier for other people to replicate the results.
Now visualise the first 100 meters sprinter who was thinking to break the 10 seconds mark. Think about how other people would laugh at him for thinking that it even could be possible.
I can't imagine how Bob Hayes, who ran 100 m in 9.9 s in April 1963, felt that spring. There is a fine line between being foolish and being remarkable. It might be that they go hand by hand. If someone calls you foolish, you might be stepping on the line.
Hi, I'm Erik, an engineer from Barcelona. If you like the post or have any comments, say hi.