Central Park Track Club's coaches Devon and Tony at its Annual Awards Dinner 1/9/2010
Yes, why would you consider becoming a team member? Lots of reasons.
- Coaching, for one. Some clubs have coaches. We can all use instruction, inspiration and the outside observer to improve.
- Workout sessions with motivated people. Teams supply a pool of like-minded runners looking for partners to train with. Training venues might be the #1 reason why private people to step out of their comfort zone into a social group.
- Social opportunities. Runners tend to have good values. Most troubles individuals do not have the disciple or the motivation to maintain what it takes to run. You will find that people on teams tend towards good values and positive outlooks.
- Cool jerseys to battle it out in come race time. Bling!
- Connect to greatness. It doesn't get any better for me training with "The Great" Sid Howard, holder of US event records. Every team has someone you can draw inspiration from.
- Shared experience. If you haven't understood the value of this by now, consider how shared experience in one of the most fundamentally important part of the human experience.
- A link to legacy. Being a member of a team with history might imbue you with an extra dimension to your life.
- Inspiration. The time may come where you are running an event and you realize your position is key in your age group's award situation. This inspiration to greatness has no substitute.
Peruse the internet, ask around, find out if runners who have been connected with their teams are satisfied. Teams are families. Like all families, problems can and do arise. You do not want to find yourself unwittingly joining a dysfunctional group. Major problems are the exception, but do your homework.
Running clubs are one of those things in life in which you can get more out of than you put in. That said, you will get even more out of it if you do more than your share.
