The Importance of Team

By Krissy Gear for DyeStatFL

Hey DyeStatFL, it’s Krissy Gear here! I’d like to shout out the awesome Mr. Robert Brown for giving me the opportunity to blog this season. The idea of team has been really important to me recently so I’m grateful I get to share what I’ve learned about being part of a team with you guys. :)

For many runners, their team is incredibly special and important to them for countless reasons. Unfortunately, some runners may not ever get to experience the joy of having a tight knit team. Some teams (and probably more than you might think) go through struggles and falling-outs. What’s important is how, as a team, you come back and grow from those complications. 

In all honesty, I didn’t truly know how great and how much of a blessing it is to be a part of a team until this year. My sophomore year saw some team drama towards the end of the track season that continued and even grew in the summer. I ended up taking some time away from the team, and when it was time to go to camp at the end of the summer, I begrudgingly went. Camp was fun, or at least as fun as it could be when it seemed like it was you and three of your teammates (who were also your closest friends) against the rest of the team. I don’t think anyone on the team appreciated or enjoyed the division. It wasn’t spoken about but it was clearly there. 

Looking back, I’m admittedly ashamed of my immaturity and I can’t be more thrilled that the problems have been worked out since then. I have never felt more close to my team, or any other group of people, than I do now. Even though some of the activities we did this year during camp were the same as some of the activities we did last year at camp, I found much more enjoyment in participating in them this year. The more miles I ran, the better it got. As tedious as running can be, having teammates to talk to and laugh with during runs make the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other a little better. Okay, “little” may be an understatement. Meals proved to be a great time to chat with and get closer to my teammates. Games like egg toss were no longer just about trying to win but rather forming a bond of trust between partners. The laughter and shrieking as everyone chased each other around the field with sundae toppings during the food fight were no longer shrill and annoying but rather sounds of happiness and having a good time.

A team is not just a group of people who wear the same uniform and train together. A team is a group of people who become as tight as family because, like it or not, they essentially are your second family. Running by yourself isn’t easy at all, especially when you constantly have to push yourself. That’s what a team is for. They should be there to push you and help you up when you get knocked down. It’s easy to get discouraged after a rough workout or sub par race, but having your team behind your back makes bouncing back from events like that so much easier and more bearable. When you’re part of a team, you’re not just running for yourself. You’re running for your team. The people you go through hell and back with and become closer with while you do it. They are the people who always have your back no matter what. They are the people who will always be there to support you and help you if you need it. The people who, no matter what you do or where you go, you know how to always make it a fun time.

I wish it didn’t take me so long to mature and realize what amazing people my teammates are and finally allow myself to be part of such an incredible group of people, but better late than never, am I right? I’m looking forward to my best season yet with the best team out there to experience it with. I want to wish everyone the best of luck this year and encourage you to spend time with your teammates and work out any differences there may be on the team. You won’t regret it!

Krissy Gear by the numbers:

800m – 2:15.34

1600m – 4:57.01

3200m – 10:50.55

5000m – 18:12.70