Lessons from the Field
Project Athena Team
Getting better, one relationship at a time
In the sport of adventure racing, teams combine athletics, navigation, and strategy over 20-, 50-, or even 600-mile distances, yet it’s the team members’ similarities and differences that increase a group’s odds of success. In this team sport, phone calls and cappuccino communication sessions aren’t enough. Talk is cheap, and the real learning curve in endurance races usually comes somewhere after mile 35.
Teammates may know each other—or not. And while it’s likely they’ve identified some common traits and goals (a sense of adventure and competitive spirit), they may differ in a plethora of others (age, gender, skill, fitness). Without a shared consciousness or understanding of individual and team goals, they’re likely to build resentment—or worse—before the finish line.
Many of life’s incredible adventures can be embarked upon solo, offering confidence, a clear perspective, and a sense of control over risks, rewards, and outcomes. But in adventure racing—just as in relationships with family, friends and coworkers—convenience, control, and going it alone can’t sustain true growth and happiness. As a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, coworker, and teammate, it’s individuality that allows you to make a meaningful contribution to a family or community, big or small. As part of a team, it’s possible to redefine limits, venture outside personal comfort zones, and achieve more than is possible alone. Especially when the group invests time to skew the odds of success with everyone’s combined experience.
Prioritizing relationships—developing them and maintaining them—is what makes navigating through tough times and 50-mile races a worthwhile journey toward a successful finish.
—Charmion Harris
