I think it's time to talk about my racing partner, fellow GGB'er, Governor of Green Gables, KLO or K-alicious.
It's hard to find a good racing partner, let alone a great racing partner. You and your partner should have similar athletic abilities. Running distances, biking skills and stamina and water travel desires/fears should be fairly the same as your partners. It’s best to have the same goals; whether you want to complete or compete and it’s best to talk about those goals before the race starts. You and your partner should have an idea of how the other reacts under certain stressful situations (i.e. hunger, fatigue, being lost, equipment failures, traveling in the dark dark, cold night wearing nothing but a small, midriff jersey, etc.) If you know how your partner is going to deal with the stress, then you should also know how to respond (or not respond) and prepare accordingly.
Should you suggest packing extra food “just in case” you get lost, when you really know that the food will be needed regardless if you get lost or not? Should you remember that no one likes to be wet and cold and maybe pack some towels and extra clothes? Should you agree on a non-racing related word that can be shouted into the empty wilderness that lets your partner know you are in real trouble and need their assistance? Should you maybe just not respond (or develop selective hearing) when a partner is venting, visibly frustrated or they might have whispered that they aren’t having fun anymore? Obviously, the above ideas are geared towards the GGB’s and things that make for added stress, but every team is different and so much is learned during every race.
Kristen puts up with a lot. I’ve been known to get very crabby when hungry, tired and hot…which is what we deal with every race. Kristen knows that I get nervous when I’m running late and that I have a small fear of being alone in the middle of a body of water with my legs dangling down for any snapping turtle to sample. Actually the list could go on for quite some time, but you get the point. I have a great racing partner that loves the thrill of the race and, of course, every pre-race email that comes the week before. We have modified our goals from wanting a first place finish, to not quitting and improving with every race. There have been some super mini-arguments and maybe some side-eyes, but we can usually laugh about it 5 minutes later or definitely in the car on the way home.
We should all take some time to thank our racing partners because it’s not every day you find a great one! Thanks GGB of GG!!
P.S. Check out Kristen doing Crow on the beach in the Bahamas. So much talent!
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