Last night I got a message that I was not selected as one of the finalists for the 2012 Team Evotri spot. I was disappointed. Excessively so.
It's really not about the free stuff that can come with being on a team. I had considered joining a team where the "free stuff" was just being part of the team and I would have had to purchase my own kit. I decided against it, hoping that I would make the cut for Team Evotri- the deadline for the other team overlapped the notification of the finalists by just a couple days.
My great sense of disappointment caused me to think hard about why I want to be on a team so badly and wonder how I can create my own sense of team with the resources readily available to me.
So why do I have such a strong desire to be on a team?
I feel very much alone as a triathlete in my small town. I am (as far as I know) the ONLY triathlete in my town. Why? Well, not having a pool in town makes training a little difficult. I drive over 30 minutes to a pool.
I have tried to spark some interest in a running group. I know there are plenty of runners in town, I see them out all the time. I got ONE person to say they were interested and another that said she would be if she weren't injured. Now, I know every group has to start somewhere, but really? Two people?
I feel that I would benefit greatly from the support and knowledge of experienced triathletes. I've been a runner for a long time, but triathlon is still very new to me. I just finished my rookie season. I love to soak up ideas about training, nutrition, racing, and race venues.
It would give me credibility and a platform to influence others in endurance sports. I'm not sure why I think I need a team for this, plenty of the women that influence me are not affiliated with any team. I guess I just feel like I would be taken more seriously if I were attached to a team.
What can I do to create a sense of team?
GOTRIbal: These women are amazing and supportive and really truly awesome. Nationally, GOTRIbal women are everywhere. They are elite athletes, newbies, and everyone in between. On my trip to San Diego, I met three GOTRIbal women. Two of them took time out of their day just to hang out with me! I need to look at ways that I can help bring a larger GOTRIbal presence to the Midwest as well as continuing to cultivate online relationships.
Greater Mankato Multisport Club: It's hard for me to join in all of their group rides/runs since I live over an hour away, but I need to just get a sitter and make a commitment to go twice a month.
Explore other avenues that will give me a credible platform. I have already been published on gotribalnow.com and espnW.com. I have been a featured Fitblogger. There are other ways for me to get involved and positively influence others in endurance sports than by being on a team. I need to seek them out.
Engage local athletes. Let others know when I am going to run or ride and invite all comers to join me. If no one shows up, well, that shouldn't stop me from doing my planned workout that I would have been doing by myself anyway. I am also coordinating with our local community education to lead a Couch to 5k type program. (I present my proposal to the board tonight, wish me luck!)
So really, the name of this post comes from this: Being part of a team doesn't have to be a formal arrangement. It can be the way you view your relationships with others. It can be engaging other athletes in a positive way. This is the "team" that I am going to try, no, not try, that I WILL be a part of in 2012.
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Hi Erin,
This may not address all your concerns about having people to train with, but if you or anyone is interested, I'm trying to start a race team - triathlon, running, cycling, all levels. I'm involved with a national animal welfare group and have proposed to them that we start a charity race team. I need folks who are interested in helping get the team off the ground. I'm still working with the organization to get the team approved, and part of that process will be showing that I have folks who are interested. So if you're interested in being on a team to race for an animal welfare cause, please let me know.
Great post! Even in a larger town like Atlanta, I end up training on my own 75% of the time. For me that is where having access to these forums, blogging and other outlets become a lifesaver. It is great to be able to reach out to those who understand where you are and what you are trying to achieve. (BTW, I got the "thanks but we had lots of great applications" email too. I share your disappointment so you are not alone there either).