A chance to disconnect. To process your own thoughts. To get into nature.
Often running can be a great activity for solitude and self.
Through my reasonably recent commitment to ultra-running, I’ve certainly had plenty of time to embrace all of the above. And I love it. It’s necessary as I chase individual success. But until recently I didn’t realise that I had also missed the feeling of being part of a team. Having a shared purpose and sense of camaraderie.
You often hear it said by former players in team sports when they’re asked…what do you miss the most? The answer is almost always, I miss the team environment.
After preparing for UTMB with some friends in Tignes, I had no idea what to expect when arriving in Chamonix as the lone Kiwi / non-European to join the ASICS Europe team at the Fuji Trail Camp. In many ways, I just had a sole focus on what was ahead for me in one of the biggest races of my career to date. A week later, what I left with was a sense of pride in being part of a team. Being able to celebrate the success of others, supporting some through challenging moments, and feeling the support of the team through my own race week journey was really special. I didn’t know I missed it, but I hadn’t quite had that feeling since my collegiate running days.
Do you have someone in your “team” who might benefit from “Lessons from the Long Run”?
Here’s a look at what race week looked like as part of Team ASICS:
We had around 60 people staying at ‘Hotel Eden’, with over 40 ASICS athletes and approximately 20 team staff. This consisted of Team Managers Laurent and Cathy + assistants, a Japanese and European product team, team kit managers, team photographers, and more.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served each day and if we needed anything there was usually someone who would eagerly volunteer to help. Having everything in one place just makes things so much easier than having to decide where to eat or have to make your way into the jam-packed town of Chamonix too often.
On the product side of things, we were given a casual day kit, a training/race kit, along with a choice of shoes to trial and wear. We were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the range both individually and in group sessions.
There were also opportunities to engage with the public through ASICS events. Every day athletes were involved in public yoga or running sessions facilitated out of the super cool outdoor camp which was set up just a few km’s from our hotel.
Despite all of this, the focus and insistence from the support team was certainly on getting each individual what they needed to perform on race day. And you need that guidance as UTMB race week is hectic! It’s filled with multiple events taking place, TDS, ETC, YCC, MCC, PTL, OCC, CCC and UTMB. Everyone flocks to the Chamonix town centre and it’s just chaotic. The place is a festival, with a party atmosphere and all kinds of nutrition and sports brands selling their products to eagerly accepting athletes. It’d be easy to get swept up in the hysteria.
With the UTMB being the last event, I had a lot of time to try and do as little as possible. The easiest way to do this was with feet up (usually in front of a computer screen) cheering on my teammates in the other events. Luckily there were plenty of events which kept me busy! What stood out to me most here, and those that have watched Le Tour De France would recognise this, is that individual success was celebrated by the entire team with a speech from the team manager and a glass of Champagne - one thing that I can certainly get behind for future events :)
It really added to the experience to celebrate other’s success as part of the wider ASICS team, and steeled you for your own race. I can’t thank the team enough, and in particular Laurent (who used to compete against my Dad in adventure racing many moons ago - small world!) and Cathy. Your support was awesome.
As I look forward to NZ Road Relay Champs this weekend with Wellington Scottish, I can’t wait to get that team buzz going again and I really hope, as the sport of ultra and trail running builds, that we can leverage the “team effect” as much as possible
If you’d like to join me in a live video AMA (Ask Me Anything). I’ll be hosting the first 45-minute session tonight at 7:30pm NZT (Thursday 28th September). To join you’ll need to become a paying subscriber (for the cost of $5 a month - or for the cost of a running tee a year). This is a huge help in allowing me to keep pursuing running as a full-time profession and certainly much appreciated.
Happy days!
Dan
