Benefits of Being Part of a Team and How To Be A Good Team Member

We love TFC417. We believe we have an awesome team full of incredible individuals. So, if you've been thinking of joining us, you may be wondering why it would benefit you to join a team. Along the same lines, how can you, as an individual, be the best teammate possible? 


​Benefits To Being Part Of A Team
1. Meeting like-minded individuals
- It's fun to be around people who enjoy the same things as you. Even if you're not the same pace, you have the same interests. You can talk about Garmins or shoes or races and not be weird.

2. Running will become part of your weekly routine
- Making speed work a part of your weekly routine is key if you want to get faster. That's what we are here for!

3. Receiving advice from experienced runners and coaches
- If you are new, it can help to be around experienced runners and coaches. They can provide insight and advice regarding training, injuries, nutrition, and how to balance a full schedule.

4. Being a part of group races
- If you did the Medical Mile or participated in the Bass Pro Fitness Festival with TFC417, you know how fun this can be. You have the camaraderie of your group, plus it's a great chance to race together and cheer each other on. This is just one reason we'll be doing ShamRox together this Spring! You can do whichever race you want (15k, 5k, Beer Mile) and we'll be there for you. Oh - find your own DD if you're doing the Beer Mile. We like you, but you're not puking in our car.

5. Helping out other/newer runners
- Never forget what it was like to be a beginner. Try not to assume that because you know something, that a new runner will know it too. This is really hard for people who have been running for years. We think that because we know how to calculate paces, that a brand new runner also knows how. Be available to new members and be willing to answer their questions or help direct them to a place where they can find what they need. Let them know you're excited they've joined the sport, and help encourage them in their journey.

6. Giving back to the community through your team
- Teams provide a base group to create events or to sign up to help at charity events. Think about the Poker Runs. Maybe a few members of a team would like to volunteer at a canned food drive or to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. Essentially, the team serves as a great platform to assist the community. Use this. You have great teammates - let's give back.

7. Motivation
- No one likes getting up at 4am. Okay, there might be someone. But, on Wednesday mornings when you want to roll over and punch your alarm clock in its stupid blinky face, you get out of bed and show up because you have a team of people who will be there to train with you. Plus, on days it's pouring/cold/hot/you want to watch Netflix, you have a group of people you can text or call to make you go out the door. In fact, some of them may even offer to join you.

8. Lifelong friends
- Running friends can turn into lifelong friends. The things you experience together on a team build a bond that extends beyond running. Cherish these special friendships and work to make them grow both inside and outside of running. These people get you. They understand you. Even if you don't see eye to eye on everything, these are friends that will be there for you. 

9. People who don't think you're weird for running around the block to get the last .07
- We've all been there and we get it. Some of us don't care if our watch says 4.97. Some of us do. But we won't make fun of you and we don't think you're weird. We also don't think it's weird when you lose a toenail and we'll be bummed with you when you miss your PR by .09 seconds.

10. You get in better shape and run harder when others are watching
- Think about it. You push harder with your teammates around. Your overall fitness level will improve. You'll notice that you start to pick up the pace on your regular runs, and you'll notice that you start to really "race" on race day. 

11. Learn better technique and tips
- Your team provides a great group of people to learn from and to bounce ideas off of. You'll also have a great group of people to make inside jokes with - and they'll probably be kind of inappropriate :) 

12. Good references for therapists, doctors, etc.
- Something hurts? Ask a teammate who they see for foot problems. Need a post race massage? Find out who your coach uses. Need new running shoes? Find out where your teammates find theirs so cheap. Not sure what kind of gear to buy? Ask your teammates what works best.

13. De-stress
- We hope we don't stress you out. This one may be more applicable if we met after work, but it still applies. Getting together with a group of like-minded teammates provides a sense of happiness and well-being.

14. Hopefully, your team members are positive and supportive.
- You show up to work hard and to be around people who support your goals. You don't want to hear someone complaining constantly. Be positive and support those around you. Sometimes a "Keep it up. You've got this" is all someone needs to hear to push through a plateau in a workout.

15. New ideas
- Looking for a goal race? Need to know if The Chicago Marathon is a good one? Not sure if you're ready for 26.2? Maybe you need ideas on how to get your kids involved with running with you, or you're interested in training for a triathlon. Maybe an organization you're involved with wants to host a race or event. Talk with your team. Get their feedback and advice. If they don't know, they probably know someone who does. Plus, as a team you can come up with new ideas for training, community events, etc. 
 
How To Be A Good Team Member
1. Be reliable
- This is key. Reliability matters. Be on time. Be present. If you cannot make it, that's fine. Life happens and no one is faulting you for that. Just let someone know. Here's a hypothetical example: if you're in Group 2, your group is counting on you. You may not realize it, but the back person in group 2 is working their butt off to be the front person. Be there. Make them work. Help them get better. It's the same way that you've started to bond with your individual groups. They're counting on you to be there. They want to run with you, to push you, to train with you, and to support you.

2. Be positive both to yourself and to other runners
- Negativity spreads, and it breeds more negativity. Be positive about the workouts. Be positive toward your team members. A lot of work and time goes into planning the workouts. Negativity toward the workouts is not only disrespectful to your coaches, but it is disrespectful to your teammates who have shown up to really work and give it their all. Plus, it mentally affects your teammates as well. 

3. Communicate
 - If you have an issue, concern, problem, or happy thing to share - communicate it well. Discuss your issues, share your joys. We want to help you, and we want to celebrate with you. If you have a problem with a teammate or coach, address it. Don't let it fester. Teammates are there to be supportive and to learn and grow together. Be an adult, and communicate with each other. Tell other runners they're doing a good job - work together, and talk to each other. Not only will this help the team grow, it will help your communication skills grow as well.

4. Listen
- Listen to each other and to your coaches. If you think you know a better way to do something, see #3 and communicate. That being said, do not undermine others. No one is perfect - let's learn together.

5. Don't be a know-it-all: Be willing to learn and admit when you're wrong
- No one knows everything. Part of life is being able to learn, adapt, and admit failure and defeat. If you're wrong, it's okay. But don't pretend to know everything. This inhibits both personal growth as well as team growth.

6. Participate and try new things
- Be present. If you're going to come, really show up. Be willing to give new workouts a try. Are they going to be hard? Yes. Try them. Be there. Work. (If you're really hurt - tell us).

7. Cooperate
- If your coach or teammate suggests something helpful to you, be willing to give it a shot. We wouldn't suggest it if we didn't think it would be beneficial to you. Cooperate with your teammates. 

8. Be flexible
- If things don't go your way, it's okay. Be flexible and willing to learn. Be willing to grow.

9. Be a problem solver
- Situations and days aren't always perfect. Problems arise. Be a part of the solution, not the problem. Be creative and share your ideas.

10. Show that you care and be respectful of others
 - Treat your fellow team members with respect and courtesy. Be understanding and willing to help them out if needed. Do not put other members down. They're working as hard as you are. Remember, "fast" is a relative term. Don't think that because you're running a 7:15 mile that the person running 9:30 is getting off easy.They're working just as hard as you. They're trying to get faster too. That being said, you don't have to baby your teammates. Push them in the same way you want to be pushed. You're there to make each other better, not to coddle. 

Thank you for being a part of our team. We appreciate you and we value the skills and knowledge each of you bring to the table. We hope that if you're considering joining us, that this will be the push you need to come join us on Wednesday morning. We'll be at the YMCA/Civic Center on Wednesday, December 9. You can also check out our FB page for more info, or email us at thefitclub417@gmail.com. 

Don't forget about our Christmas Lights run on Monday, December 14 at 6:30pm. We'll start and finish at Magda's house and we'll visit and have hot chocolate after the run. We'll run 3-5 miles. Please feel free to bring a friend that might be interested in training with us. If you need directions, let us know.

​#thefitclub417 #earnednotgiven #runfasttakechances

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