Becoming a Team

The faster runners had long since passed.

And with them, the roar of cheering parents had died down.

Now, out on the course, there was stillness. One of my favorite moments in coaching cross country races.  

Having sprinted out to a remote part of the course as usual, I now had a moment away from the crowds, the noise, the responsibilities. I was now in company of myself. A chance to breathe deep and take it all in.

Two runners began to approach. They wore racing singlets that showed they were from different teams.

“Let’s go, buddy.”

“You got this.”

This weren’t my words of encouragement. In fact, I really didn’t need to give my usual coaching motivation.

These words were spoken from one runner to the other. No longer competitors from opposing teams. Now, without needing approval from the adults, and in the face of coaches who likely had encouraged them to pass the other one (that’s kind of what us coaches do) they had formed their own team.

They were a team.

Together pushing against fatigue, uphill slopes and the sandy surface beneath their feet.

I watched these two runners as they passed me and headed toward the finish. I could not hide my smile.

These little ones, in their simple act to support one another, were teaching something quite big.

Think of the race you are running today.

Call to mind the hurdles and challenges between you and the finish.

Who are your teammates in this endeavor?

But more important, who are the “other teams” in your race?

What would it take to get you to turn to someone from another team and say:

“Let’s go, buddy.”

“You got this.”

Try it out at your next class at the gym. Try it out in the workplace, in the classroom. With a sibling or colleague with whom you tend to compete for supremacy.

After all, maybe the disparate racing singlets are just a mirage in our lives, separating us along political, religious and other lines into competitor teams.

Maybe, taking the lead of these little ones, the challenge is forming a team with those from “other teams” until “other” disappears altogether.