October 2, 2025 • 49 mins
Teamwork isn’t just for cross-country teams, group runs, or the workplace—it’s a value that can shape every part of our running journey and our everyday lives.
In this episode, we wrap up our series on core values with one of the most powerful of them all: teamwork. We explore what it really means to be part of a team, even if you consider yourself a “solo runner,” and how cultivating teamwork can transform the way you approach challenges, celebrate wins, and stay consistent over time.
You’ll hear us dive into:
- Why teamwork matters even outside of traditional team settings
- How to show up for others (and yourself) in meaningful ways
- The role of sharing struggles, celebrating wins, and building support systems
- How gratitude and communication strengthen both running and life relationships
Plus—we’re celebrating 8 years of the Real Life Runners Podcast! 🎉
To mark the occasion, we’re kicking off our Eight Days of Giveaways. Each day, we’ll be giving away prizes to thank you for being part of this community. Enter by replying to our emails or joining the fun on social media—you don’t want to miss it!
Be sure to follow us @realliferunners on Instagram for the daily contests and prizes!
Because at the end of the day, running is better (and life is richer) when we don’t go it alone.
00:28 The Importance of Teamwork in Running
00:52 Teamwork in High School Cross Country
02:44 Personal Stories of Teamwork
05:04 Celebrating 8 Years of Podcasting
07:34 The Role of Support Systems in Running
12:59 Finding Your Running Community
24:24 The Power of Support in Running
24:59 Encouragement from Fellow Runners
26:10 Understanding Non-Runners' Perspectives
29:46 Teamwork in Family Life
33:41 The Importance of Communication
38:56 Celebrating Wins and Overcoming Struggles
47:09 Practical Tips for Cultivating Teamwork
Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.
Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret
Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team
Thanks for Listening!!
Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!
Come find us on Instagram and say hi!
Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Angie (00:00):
This is the Real Life Runners Podcast, episode number
4 29.
Today we are finishing up ourseries on core values with core
value.
Number five, teamwork.
What the heck does teamwork haveto do with you as a real life
runner that may or may notactually be on a team?
believe it or not, teamworkapplies to not only your
(00:21):
running, but all areas of yourlife.
So let's chat about it.
Stay tuned.
(00:49):
What's up runners?
Welcome back to the Real LifeRunners podcast in our core
value series, where today we'retalking about core value.
Number five,
Kevin (00:57):
it's teamwork time and teamwork makes the dream work.
So this episode is gonna just beawesome
Angie (01:02):
because Kevin's gonna say teamwork makes the dream work
multiple more times, probably.
Possibly.
So those of you that.
Are new to the podcast.
Welcome.
we have been doing a little corevalue series over the last few
weeks, that has stemmed from ourwork with our high school cross
country team.
So every year we come up with aset of core values for the team,
(01:25):
and they are similar, but weoften tweak them a little bit.
And so we were thinking aboutideas for the podcast and said,
you know what?
Let's take these core valuesthat we've.
Put forth in our cross countryteam and talk about how they
apply to us as real liferunners.
And so I think that, so farwe've talked about integrity,
respect, commitment, andresilience.
(01:46):
And so if you haven't caughtthose episodes, I would suggest
going back to those you, youdefinitely don't have to listen
to those before you listen tothis one.
But teamwork is an interestingone.
I think when we look at.
Our lives as real life runnerswith, real lives.
And most of us aren't on somesort of formal type of team.
Kevin (02:06):
I feel like most people listening to this podcast are
probably not on any sort offormal team.
Maybe they've got some people,
Angie (02:11):
unless you're a part of our real life runners team,
which is awesome.
Kevin (02:14):
That's very true.
but a lot of our real liferunners team is scattered around
the world, and so it doesn'tfeel like a team in the same
sense as right.
When I was, I ran cross countryin high school.
That was a team right.
As
Angie (02:25):
kids gathering after school every single day and
running together.
Kevin (02:29):
That feels a whole heck of a lot more like a team.
Yeah.
My alarm going off at five andheading out to run in the dark
does not feel as much like ateam sport as our cross country
kids getting together at, three30.
Angie (02:39):
yeah, I would agree that it's different, but I still
think that.
What we're gonna talk abouttoday, I have a feeling all of
you are gonna be able to applyto your life.
Whether or not you are a part ofour real life runners team or
any other team.
Maybe you're part of a localrunning group.
Like those are some of the moreobvious ways that this applies.
But there's ways that you mightnot expect where this also
(03:00):
applies.
So it really matters for us totalk about this because running
can often feel.
And seem like a very individualsport, and we even talk about
this with our cross country kidsbecause.
A lot of them come into running,maybe not even realizing, like
they know that they're on a teamand they know that they're doing
this with other people, butrunning does tend to feel very
(03:22):
individual.
However, when we start to seeteamwork and we start to really
embrace it and the power that ithas, it can play a really big
role in our growth and oursuccess as runners.
Kevin (03:35):
I think the more that the kids latch onto the teamwork, it
really helps the overall teamimprove.
Yes, it is.
It is a collection ofindividuals.
any team is just a collection ofindividuals, but when
everybody's just fighting forthemselves instead of uniting
towards a common cause, I thinkthat common cause.
Creates a lot of motivationwithin each other.
(03:56):
It creates a lot of the benefitsof teamwork because you're all
striving towards the same thing.
a few years ago, there was thatbig push on that team that they
really wanted to get to thestate, meet as a full team, not
just have a couple kidsindividually qualify.
Yeah.
But as a whole team.
And that was the year that Isuggested, okay, fine.
You make it as a whole team andyou can color my hair, whatever
color you want it.
(04:16):
And it just, it added to some,like some fun.
Of chasing a very difficultphysical goal, but they were
really united in this.
We are going to get to the statemeet as a whole group, and it
tied the whole group together.
I thought,
Angie (04:30):
yeah, I agree.
And, making your hair pink andpurple was also, I think, a very
motivating factor.
Kevin (04:35):
I think it was like a little bonus that they got.
I don't, I think as the seasonwore on.
That was less exciting for themthan how close they were to
getting to the meet.
Like they kept seeing theirtimes get faster.
They kept seeing how close theywere.
I was giving them comparisons tothe other teams.
And as that goal kept gettingcloser and closer to in their
grasp, I think it, they werelike, and we get to color his
(04:57):
hair pink.
Like it was just like a bonusadd-on.
But it, that was beyond thepoint.
At that point.
Angie (05:01):
Yeah, I agree.
And it might be time to startbringing that.
Into our conversation this yearnow too, start giving the team
an idea of where we stand, don'tyou think?
Kevin (05:11):
Oh no, definitely.
Yeah, I'd, it is time'cause wehaven't done
Angie (05:13):
that yet, so I think it's time for us to bring that piece
in.
So before we jump into today'sepisode, I want to invite you,
if you are listening to thisepisode, when it is released
here, which is the actually.
This one's actually coming outin October,'cause we're
recording it in September, butthe release date of this one is
(05:34):
actually October 2nd.
So if you are listening to thisepisode during that week, I
wanna invite you to join.
The eight days of giveaways.
I'm actually running a specialpromotion right now because
Kevin, did you know that acouple of days ago we celebrated
our eight year podcastanniversary?
Kevin (05:55):
I did.
The podcast player sent me anemail that said, congratulations
on your anniversary.
Did it really?
Yes, it did.
Oh, that's
Angie (05:59):
fun.
but yes, so we have beenrecording this podcast for the
last eight years, and we haveonly missed one week recording
the podcast in eight years.
Kevin (06:11):
I have missed multiple weeks.
The podcast has missed one.
Angie (06:14):
Yeah.
Kevin (06:15):
Yeah.
I've lost my voice a few times.
You've done plenty of soloepisodes.
Angie (06:18):
Yeah.
You did a solo episode once too.
That was good.
Yes, I did.
But there was one, I forget whatweek it was, but it was like
early on in our podcastingjourney.
I wanna say it was within thefirst or second year.
I think it because we, let'ssee, we started this in 2017.
I wanna say that.
the week that we missed wassomewhere in 2018 or 2019.
But, yeah, we only have missedone week out of eight years,
(06:42):
which I am really freaking proudof.
And I think that demonstrates alot of the core, all five really
of the core values that we'retalking about today.
Integrity, doing what we said wewere going to do.
'cause I, when we started thispodcast, I said I wanted to
release a weekly podcast andwe've done that pretty much,
minus one, resilience.
Definitely coming back whenthings get hard, and especially
(07:04):
when we don't have a podcasttopic to talk about.
Or you definitely
Kevin (07:07):
resilient or we're just so tired and it's like, all
right, like tonight.
Yeah.
Or this, that's happens a lotthat it's like, we're so tired
and we've gotta get the podcastout.
We've gotta get it recorded soit can get processed and put out
there.
that's happened a few times.
Did we make it through?
Christmas break of 2017 makingpodcasts because like I had a
seizure in the middle of thatChristmas break.
Yeah, so I feel like that mayhave been the time we missed.
(07:30):
It
Angie (07:30):
might have been.
I think that it was actually alittle bit after that.
I wanna say that it was like aweek in February where just
things just went awry.
Interesting.
but it might have been, yeah, Idon't remember exactly.
Yes.
And then obviously commitmentand respect for you as our
listeners and respect for thecommitment that we made, and
then of course, teamwork becausenot only have we gotten together
(07:53):
and done the vast majority ofthese podcast episodes together,
which has been great, but.
We've also have had guests andI've done solo episodes and
you've done a solo episode, andwe also have a team that
supports us.
I have someone that edits, orshe doesn't really do much
editing, to be honest, becausewe pretty much just hit record
and then hit play.
But she publishes the episodeshe, she adds the music to it
(08:15):
and, she publishes the episodeand helps me with some social
media from the episode.
So we have a team, With thispodcast.
And so it, it is definitely hasbeen, and continues to be a
labor of love.
So we wanted to celebrate thatwith you all.
So I came up with this idea ofdoing eight days of giveaways to
celebrate eight years of thepodcast.
(08:36):
So you can go back and catch upand if you wanna do all eight of
the, days, that would befantastic.
But today, on the day that we'rerecording this, like today's.
Activity was to leave a reviewfor the podcast.
So I'm gonna give away, I'mgonna ask you for one to do one
thing to support the podcast,and then I am going to, if you
do that thing, you'll be enteredto win that day's prize.
(08:58):
So the prize today is a reallife runner shirt, which is
awesome.
and we're gonna have variousprizes to give away throughout
the eight days and variousthings that we're going to ask
you to do in order to enter thatprize giveaway drawing.
That's the teamwork that I'mgonna be asking of you guys
because this podcast would notexist if it weren't for all of
you.
This is, you are the reason thatwe do this every single week.
(09:21):
You are the reason that we stayup late and record when we are
exhausted, that we come up withnew ideas, that I reach out and
I find amazing guests to bringto you all because we love
helping you.
We love hearing from you.
And those of you that have everreached out and left us a review
or sent us an email or, POposted something on social media
(09:44):
and let us know how the episodeshave impacted you and your
running and your life, I justwanna say thank you because that
is the reason that we continueto do this.
And when I get those emails,when I get those notes or those
dms or those comments from youall.
Talking about how this podcasthas helped you or has changed
(10:07):
your life or changed yourrunning in any way, that's.
It's just further reinforcementof why we're doing this, and so
please keep those messagescoming.
If you haven't, left a review onthe podcast, I would love to ask
you to do so because when youleave those reviews, it really
does help other people find theshow and help us to reach new
runners and help more people,
Kevin (10:27):
which is ultimately why we do this.
All is, is to try to help morerunners enjoy the running
experience.
Running is not difficult.
this whole episode is aboutteamwork, and this podcast, I
think helps bring runnerstogether and realize that we're
all sort of part of this runningteam.
Angie (10:44):
Did you just say running is not difficult?
Kevin (10:46):
No, I said running is difficult.
Oh,
Angie (10:48):
okay.
Kevin (10:48):
I, at least I was aiming to say running is difficult.
I was like, like you pointedout, I'm, it's, I'm tired.
We'll wait.
but no, running is difficult andhaving other people around, but
that's not all that teamwork is.
To bring this back on to pointhere, teamwork is not just
working together.
There's a whole lot moreinvolved in the aspect of
teamwork.
Teamwork is support, it'sencouraging other people.
(11:11):
It's,
Angie (11:12):
hold on.
I have to.
Tell them how to join the eightdays of giveaways, don't you
think?
Okay, go.
So sorry to interrupt you, butyou like tried to cut me off
here.
I wasn't ready for that.
Kevin (11:21):
I was not trying to cut anything off.
I got an email.
Bring it back
Angie (11:24):
around.
Kevin (11:24):
There you go.
Angie (11:26):
they have to be on the email list essentially.
That's'cause you got the email.
I got the email that I sent out.
But yes, if you want toparticipate in the eight days of
giveaways, you have to either.
Be a part of our email list.
That's where all the detailswill be sent out every single
day.
Or follow us on social media, onInstagram at real life runners,
because I'll be posting on ourInstagram stories every day as
well.
(11:46):
So make sure that you're on ouremail list.
You can go to our website, reallife runners.com and sign up to
be on our email list there.
Or you can follow us on socialmedia.
Okay, so bring it back toteamwork.
It's not just about workingtogether.
Kevin (12:00):
It's something about makes the dream work, I think is
roughly where the topic isperfect.
That's number two.
So it's not just workingtogether, it's support, it's
encouragement.
Like you don't have to beworking and get cheering for
each other.
That is teamwork.
It's providing a source ofaccountability.
It's the common purpose,whatever that is.
Even if you're not directlyworking with another person,
(12:20):
like there is a.
Team all doing a workouttogether.
There's something to be said fora group of people knocking out
like 10 by a 400, but knowingthat you and somebody else are
both training for a similargoal, even if you're never
sharing miles with them, that isa common purpose that you're
aiming for.
Or maybe the common purpose ofsimply there is a fall race that
(12:43):
two people are training for.
That could be the commonpurpose.
All of these are differentaspects of teamwork and all of
them provide a whole heck of alot of benefit towards every
person involved.
Angie (12:53):
Yeah, I agree.
And I think that, running can belonely.
It can be a solitary type ofactivity, but.
It rarely is successful inisolation, right?
So that's where the distinctionlies.
It can be solitary, but it'srarely successful in isolation
because on a team, everyonecontributes, even if your
(13:17):
results are individual and thatactually expands out.
If you're not a part of like a.
Traditional type of team, likethe cross country team, it still
expands out to the rest of yourlife because you as a real life
runner, have a team, whether yourealize it or not.
So when we talk about it on thecross country team, we talk
about that support.
(13:37):
We talk about supporting yourteammates.
Even if you are on the varsityteam, it's a great idea that you
will stick around and cheer onthe junior varsity runners, the
JV runners, or vice versa, Justbeing there at the tent, helping
each other get ready and makesure everybody has the numbers,
and then going out and cheeringfor the runners, out on the
(13:58):
race.
All of those things are veryimportant.
Showing up for practice, that isa big part of teamwork because
the kids, they know like theyhave more fun when.
Their friends are there.
it's, yes, they are runners andthey like running.
At least most of them do.
But it's a lot more fun whenyou're there doing it with your
friends
Kevin (14:18):
and it's a lot easier to not do it if other people start
not showing up to the practice.
That's where the accountabilityshows up of teamwork.
Yeah.
Is if everybody shows up,everybody's practice starts at
three 20, so time to go topractice, then that's what
everybody does.
As you start losing a fewpeople, it makes it easier and
easier for.
The next person to be like, oh,I guess I don't also need to go
(14:41):
to practice today.
So it works both directions.
You can really help encouragepeople towards bigger goals, but
you can also help people slideand let things drift away and
lose all sorts of motivation andaccountability.
Angie (14:52):
Yeah, we talked to that about that in the race too.
if you are in a race and you arerunning with your teammate and
you notice that your teammate isstarting to slow down, you can.
Slow down with them, that is anoption.
Or you can encourage them tostay with you, right?
You can cheer them on and say,come on, we're, let's go.
we're still in this.
And so how does this.
apply to us as real liferunners.
(15:14):
like we mentioned, the obviousway are the ones, those of you
that are part of any sort oftraining, like a running club or
training team, like an, even avirtual online community, like
our real life runners team, ifyou have running buddies like.
Even if it's one or two peoplethat you train with or run with,
you don't have to do it alone.
(15:34):
And even if you don't have anypeople in person, there's tons
of Facebook groups and all sortsof online running communities
that you can be a part of.
Now, I will say that with anasterisk and I will say, please
be very careful which runninggroups you are a part of,
because I've been a part of alot of different running groups
(15:54):
online.
Some of them are toxic places tobe.
I think that there's a lot ofbad advice that gets given out
in those running groups.
You have to be very careful andvery choosy what kind of
information you want to listento, and I highly recommend that.
You join a group and you know ifit's, if there's a coach in
charge of that group, if theinformation is being vetted in
(16:17):
any way, just be careful whatyou listen to, and what you
consume because there's also alot of comparison in those
groups and there can be a lot ofjealousy and all sorts of
ickiness.
So choose wisely.
if you're choosing an onlinecommunity, I highly encourage
you to choose wisely and be verycareful with what you choose to
be a part of.
Kevin (16:38):
Yeah, the online group, and we've had a, an online group
like our team exists around theworld like, like I said earlier,
but.
I still feel very much connectedto the team.
Like when I race, I put on areal life runner's racing shirt
and I feel like I am part ofthis team.
Whether there are other peoplein the race that have that shirt
(16:58):
or not, it to me.
That is me showing up as part ofthis team.
And so I'm putting forth theeffort surrounded by my
teammates, whether they arephysically there or elsewhere.
It's still part of a whole teamthing and I think that is super
helpful'cause it's not sayingthat the weight of this entire
race is on me, it's saying I'mheading to this race with
(17:19):
support of others, with a wholecrew with me.
Angie (17:22):
Yeah, and that's who you're representing also, right?
Because teamwork is also aboutyour support crew, and this is
really where I think teamwork.
Is the strongest.
like the biggest thing that wehave to think about as real life
runners is who is a part of yourteam, like your family, your
friends, coaches, healthcareproviders, like who do you work
(17:44):
with that helps to support you?
In the thing that you are doingand that could look like, your
spouse that is not a runner thatmaybe just supports you that in
your crazy goals or your crazydreams or maybe not crazy.
I don't really like to use thatword actually.
I do like to use that word.
I use it as a more of a badge ofhonor because I think it's a
(18:04):
good thing.
Like I'm a big fan of beingcrazy.
but.
Maybe they don't do it.
Maybe they don't reallyunderstand it, but they support
you.
Maybe they're a runner also, butthey just don't run a hundred
miles, and so they don'tunderstand why you would ever
want to do that.
But they wake up and they drivelots of hours to support you and
(18:26):
they pack up the car.
And I'm not trying to toot myown horn because there's a lot
of people that do this, not justme.
And that's.
A huge thing for you tocelebrate.
So if you have a spouse, apartner, a friend that is like
that for you in your corner,that is there cheering you on at
a race or holding up a sign,even if they don't understand
(18:47):
what's going on, they are a partof your team and they're a part
of your support crew.
And if you are really, trulyhonest with yourself, you
couldn't do it without them likeyou probably could for a while.
Do you, how long do you thinkthat would really last?
Kevin (19:02):
Yeah.
Have you been at every longdistance race that I've ever
run?
I wanna say
Angie (19:08):
yes.
Like
Kevin (19:09):
you were at my first marathon.
Completely unsure of what theheck was going on.
But you had a sign.
Angie (19:14):
Yeah.
I was not a runner at thatpoint.
And this was our senior year ofcollege.
And I still hated running atthat point in time.
definitely thought there was acute boy with dimples that I was
going to cheer in Chicago,
Kevin (19:24):
which was like the full point of you going like that was
it.
It wasn't like, oh man, it'sgonna be great to go watch a
marathon.
Angie (19:30):
no.
I was also visiting my friendthat lived in Chicago, so that
was funnel, so
Kevin (19:33):
but that was unrelated to the marathon.
Yeah.
That was related to Chicago.
Angie (19:37):
Yeah, exactly.
but I had no idea why you andMark were doing this.
Kevin ran the Chicago marathonwith his best friend and
roommate.
At the time, our senior year ofcollege.
but we at that point had beentogether about six months.
'cause we got together, a littlebit longer than that.
Because we got together in Aprilofficially.
Yeah, about six months.
(19:57):
Yeah, about six months.
About six months.
'cause Chicago's in October.
I
Kevin (20:00):
wanna say October.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's coming up.
Angie (20:01):
Yeah.
So we had been dating about sixmonths at that time.
And, I didn't.
Understand it at all, but I madeyou a sign and slept on my
friend's floor and supportedChicago.
Kevin (20:12):
There you go.
Yeah, and you've been at everyrace since and there were plenty
of races from the beginning,like I remember.
Sitting on the ground at mile22, like I couldn't even make it
to the curb.
My calves completely seized up.
So I'm just like sitting on theside of the road and I knew that
I still had four miles to goBecause you were at the finish
line.
Like I had passed the last timethat I could see you during the
(20:34):
race.
Yeah.
And because I saw you
Angie (20:36):
like 21, 21 and a half.
Kevin (20:37):
Yeah.
So I knew I had four more milesto go or I wasn't gonna be able
to see you.
So you have been verymotivational from the very
beginning.
You have helped me to manyfinish lines that I don't think
I could have made it to withoutyou out there.
Aw.
So you point out that there,there are other people doing
this.
You go, you've crewed me at someultras and you watch, vans full
(20:59):
of people and families unloadingoutta these giant vans and
setting up like a whole picnictable out behind them.
The support crews at theselonger races are.
Crazy.
They're
Angie (21:09):
amazing.
Like they're amazing.
I remember the first one that wedid well,'cause the first couple
of ultras that you did wererunning down the road.
Yep.
So I didn't really have the samelevel of interaction with the
other crews that were therebecause it was just, I had us
and we were the crew in the carand we were just following you
down the road.
(21:29):
And we, I talked to a couplepeople at some of the stops that
when we were waiting for you,but that last ultra that you
did, where it was.
Kind of camp style.
Like you just, we just sat in aparking lot, a field really, and
not a lot, but we parked in afield and waited for Kevin to
come see us six times throughoutthe course of the day.
Yeah.
Kevin (21:49):
I just, I saw you every three to four hours.
Yeah.
that was the craziness.
But
Angie (21:52):
it was like, it was really cool because that's what
all of them were doing too, andthey all had their camping
chairs and they were justsitting out and just hanging
out.
Here.
I was like, okay, we saw himonce.
Let's go to get Starbucks.
Yep.
I didn't know what I had signedup for here.
Kevin (22:08):
I really hope I get into that one again.
That's gonna be a blast.
Angie (22:11):
Oh, I think I'll be much better prepared this time.
if you have someone, and maybeyou're not into marathons or
ultras, and that's cool too, doyou have someone that goes to a
5K with you or do you have otherfriends at that 5K?
Or maybe just that, those peoplethat you know, that you see at
your local 5K that you know areprobably gonna be there even if
(22:31):
you don't know their name orthose people that you see.
On your Tuesday morning runs atfive 30 in the morning because
you know that if you run Tuesdaymornings at five 30, that
person's gonna be out there too.
And you don't even know theirname.
You don't know what they'redoing.
But in a way, they're also apart of your support system.
Like I enjoy going out when I'mout on my runs and seeing those
(22:55):
people.
And when I don't see the samepeople, I'm like, oh, I wonder
where that girl is today.
Orange sports bra girl orwhatever it is, like you, you
think about those people andyou're like, oh, I hope
everything's okay.
And maybe she's outta town ormaybe she's, I hope she's not
sick or anything, but thosepeople are a part of your
routine.
Kevin (23:11):
Yeah, there was a guy that I saw all summer long on,
on the loop that I did, and itwas right around the start of
school year and we alwayscrossed each other going the
opposite direction.
And as I got to him, he startedwaving both hands.
And I'd seen him for the last, Idon't know, couple of months,
and he waved both of his handsat me to get me to stop.
And he goes, I just wanted tolet you know I'm heading back to
(23:33):
New York, so you're not gonnasee me on the loop anymore.
Angie (23:36):
Aw.
Kevin (23:37):
to make sure that I wasn't worried about him.
Like he just, he let me know I'mgoing back up oh, okay.
have a great time.
Aw.
But I had seen that guy mostdays for the last several
months, it made sense.
It was like he was saying, bye,and you don't have to worry
about me.
I'm good.
Angie (23:52):
Which I think is so cool because clearly you are a part
of his running crew.
Kevin (23:56):
Yes.
And I
Angie (23:57):
think that's really cool to think about it.
Also, you never know who's.
Support crew you're a part of.
Either like just by askingsomebody, Hey, how's your
running going?
Or Hey, how's your training?
Are you signed up for a race?
Like just expressing interestsin someone else's running or
fitness journey, I think says alot and means a lot to people
(24:20):
more than we might realize.
Kevin (24:22):
that's why I like my runs.
That I don't have to do in thepitch black because I don't
recognize that all the peopleout there and I can't exactly
see who it is.
Yeah.
There's not a lot ofconversation and even, in the
daylight, it's not like I stopand have conversations with
people, but I give the smile andthe wave.
If it looks like they're.
Pushing.
I'm like, oh, looking good,looking strong.
Like I try and say somethingpositive to whoever I'm running,
(24:45):
either opposite directions orthe same direction, whatever it
is that we're doing.
I try to send some sort ofpositive message toward that
person.
But at five 30 in the pitchblack, I don't always send that
message.
I recognize that person.
They might recognize me.
But there's not always a wholelot of talking.
There's one guy that I passedmost mornings that he's, if I'm
(25:05):
pushing, he will always sendwords of encouragement back Aw.
Of oh, looking fast thismorning.
Yeah.
And it, that's amazing to hear.
It's so if anybody ever outrunning has said something
positive to you and you're like,oh, wow, that, like that means
so much.
It seems like it's coming from astranger, but if that's ever
made an impact on your run,think about how you could do
that to everybody that you seewhen you're out running and how
(25:27):
nice that would be for them.
Angie (25:29):
Yeah, I agree.
And the other thing I wannamention too, and I wasn't really
planning on this, it just poppedinto my head, is that if you
don't have, or if there's.
A family member or a friend thatmaybe is not outwardly
supportive of your running, itmight not mean anything
negative.
It might just mean that theydon't understand it and they
(25:52):
don't understand how importantit is to you.
So tell them.
I think that's a reallyimportant thing.
'cause like for me, my mom hasbeen one of the most supportive.
People in my entire life, and Ilove her dearly.
She's always been there for me.
I have so many good things tosay about my mom, but what I,
(26:13):
but my mom did not come to myfirst half marathon, and that
hurt me a lot because I waslike, how could she not be
there?
And in my mom and I actuallybrought it up to her, relatively
recently and said, told her thatreally.
was hurtful.
Like I was upset about that,that, and she was like, oh my
gosh, I'm so sorry.
I had no idea.
She's but don't I just get tosee you like one time?
(26:36):
And I was like, yeah, but that'snot the point.
but non-runners don't understandthat.
And so if you have someone inyour life that it's important to
you that they support, you havesome more conversations with
them.
Because my mom just genuinelydidn't understand because I was
never a runner.
I.
Always hated running when I wasathletic and in into sports and
(26:58):
on different teams, and she cameto all of my games and was
always super supportive.
But this whole running thing wasjust an individual thing, I
think in her mind.
Like she, I, she just didn'tunderstand it and like it was
upsetting to me, but.
At the same time, I neverexpressed to her that it was
important for her to be there tome and I, and that's on me.
Like I think that if I would'vetold her, I think I just assumed
(27:21):
that she would know, or I justexpected her to be there.
But I never, I.
Expressed that, and that's onme.
And I think that, if there issomebody that you feel that way
with, I would just encourage youto have a conversation with that
person and tell them howimportant it's to you and tell
them how much it would mean toyou if they showed up at.
Your race.
My mom was like, wait, you wantme to wake up at 6:00 AM and
(27:45):
drive?
What?
What are you talk to, to juststand on the side of the road?
she just didn't get it.
And I was like, yeah, but that'swhat you do.
and so I think that's a helpfulconversation to have.
Kevin (27:55):
it's a helpful conversation.
It's also helpful to figure outwhat it is that you expect out
of them.
Yeah.
And maybe even help coordinatethings for them, because
especially at something longer,like a half marathon or a full
marathon, there is somelogistics in coordinating how to
see somebody multiple times.
Yeah.
Or if you're only gonna be ableto see them once alright, you
(28:15):
can see me at this part.
And then there's a coffee shopright here that you can hang out
at.
And then in about an hour I'llbe back.
And then we can meet up afterthe race here.
Yeah.
Like you might want to actuallyput some coordination for them.
Yeah.
Be, especially if this is a nonrunner that does not get it at
all.
Angie (28:31):
Yeah, for sure.
I think that would be a goodidea.
So there are people in yourlife, so whether you realize it
or not, those people that loveyou and that are in your life.
They're supporting you and youprobably wouldn't be where you
are without them.
So say thank you.
realize that they are a part ofyour team and, that requires
some teamwork.
And teamwork also requirescommunication.
(28:53):
So don't be upset if you haven'tcommunicated certain things to
them as well.
And the cool thing about allthese core values, including
teamwork, is that they allextend beyond running.
And teamwork carries over intoyour real life in so many ways
in your family.
Like you have to have teamworkin the family.
Like just think about tonight,right?
(29:14):
Tonight we definitely had someteamwork going on with taking,
we had to have someone over.
'cause now we are in the.
Dog adoption process, and someof these rescue organizations
have very extensive applicationprocesses.
So we actually had to have ahome visit tonight where they
like took pictures of our houseand did, made sure that we are
(29:36):
who we say we are.
I guess so.
I'm
Kevin (29:39):
not sure.
Angie (29:39):
Yeah, so it was pretty wild.
So we all had to be home forthat.
Like all four of us have to bethere.
And then our oldest daughter hada college fair and so I took her
to that and Kevin stayed homeand made dinner and then we,
stopped at the grocery store onthe way home and there's all
these different moving piecesand so in family life, then
there was dishes afterwards.
(30:00):
some, somebody washes somebody.
Dry.
Somebody wipes off the counterand clears the table.
There's a whole lot of teamworkinvolved in family life all the
time.
if you're trying to get kids tovarious places.
And that's a, that's ourtomorrow, Tuesday night, we've
got kids in all sorts ofdifferent places.
Tuesday night
Kevin (30:17):
just screams teamwork, like it has to be well
coordinated and wellcommunicated as to who's moving
in which direction it is.
it is a dance that we get toplay out here and that is
teamwork, that is parenting.
And, it's a great team.
You are, an amazing teamteammate,
Angie (30:34):
and you are an amazing teammate
Kevin (30:36):
also.
I try my best.
I am a niche role player.
I'm like, like on a basketballteam, Angie's clear, she's
running the point.
She's also the two guard.
She's the center.
You're probably the, I don't
Angie (30:51):
think I'm the center
Kevin (30:52):
of our family unit, definitely.
And, but I'm
Angie (30:55):
definitely not the tallest one on the court
Kevin (30:56):
and the power forward.
And I am, I'm that one that'sjust, I'm gonna set up around
the three point arc.
I've got my role and this iswhat I'm going for.
Angie (31:05):
Yep.
we all have different roles, butthat's the beauty of teamwork is
that you find people on yourteam that support you.
And I couldn't do what I do inlife without you.
Like you are the best teamplayer and I didn't realize we
were gonna get a little mushy onthis, but this is.
What it is, like even thisbusiness, you have supported me
(31:29):
100% in my crazy ideas of I'mgonna stop doing physical
therapy and create a wholeonline coaching business.
And you're like, yep, let's doit.
Like you just, you support me.
I couldn't do what I do withoutthat love and support from you.
Kevin (31:49):
Yeah.
And that allowed me to dosomething crazy, like I'm gonna
start running a hundred mile.
Yeah.
Because both of us were like,this is the thing, this is the
thing that I'm going to dothat's gonna bring the joy, but
I'm gonna need a whole heck of alot of support from you.
And that's where teamwork comesin.
And Sure, mine is related to arunning goal, but it doesn't
really matter what it is.
(32:10):
Yeah.
Like it's the teamwork thathelps you that.
Makes you feel supported thatsays, I'm gonna try this crazy
thing, and I don't know howsuccessful it's going to be.
But I feel supported in theprocess.
So it's okay if I don't haveimmediate success because the
people that I have surroundedmyself with, my team gets it.
(32:30):
They get the importance of thisand they will be there
regardless of the outcome ofthis week or next year.
They're here to support me andmy efforts.
Angie (32:39):
Yeah.
And I think that the, one of thebig.
Things with teamwork, like oneof the important points is that
in order to be a good teammember, you have to both give
and receive support.
And I think for some of us thatcan be the hardest thing.
Like we're very good at givingand we're not as good as
(32:59):
receiving sometimes.
And I think that's really whatteamwork teaches us how to do
and what running teaches us howto do.
We have to be able to both giveand receive support.
And, I think about, your race.
I know you've told this storybefore and I'll let you tell it,
here, but when you were comingup against the time deadline or
in your head the time deadlinefor Daytona The Daytona 100
(33:24):
where you had wanted to finishbefore midnight and.
We, you were getting reallyupset about it.
Kevin (33:32):
Yeah,'cause I'm doing the math and I'm trying to do math
after running for over 12 hours.
So math is not working.
The
Angie (33:37):
math is not math.
That
Kevin (33:38):
as the kids like to say,
Angie (33:40):
six, seven,
Kevin (33:41):
a good one, but I.
I was capable of doing mathenough that I knew that
midnight, the gold deadline, theCinderella hour was getting
really small.
The chances of actually crossingon the same day were getting
really slim.
And I came to you at an aidstation.
I'm like, I'm not gonna make it.
I'm not going to make midnight.
(34:01):
And you said something to theeffect of, okay, we are still
gonna be here.
And it was just like it.
It wasn't like you didn't haveto give me this giant rah
speech.
It was just like, that's okay.
We're, you're still gonna get tothe finish line and we're still
going to be here the whole time.
And I didn't need a giant rahspeech.
I just needed that support.
(34:22):
I needed it to be okay that Iwasn't gonna make it to
midnight.
Because in my head I'm like, oh,everybody had to get up so
early.
They're driving down the side ofthe road.
This has gotta be.
Awful for them.
So at least if I could do mybest to get'em done by midnight
so we could all just go home andgo back to the hotel and sleep,
that's, that would be my doing.
(34:43):
My part is maybe we can get tobed at a reasonable hour.
Angie (34:46):
to be fair, both of the girls fell asleep in the back of
the car, so it.
Truly didn't affect them.
They were just sleeping away.
Okay, but
Kevin (34:54):
you needed some sleep at some point because then you also
drove back the next day.
I can't help on the drive thenext day.
I did suggest, not afterDaytona, but after long haul
last year, that I could havedriven some of the way home.
I definitely suggested that youdid, you said?
no, it was the wholeconversation.
Angie (35:13):
And maybe laughed a little bit about it too.
Kevin (35:15):
I felt as though I was up to it.
Angie (35:17):
yeah.
No, again, that's not that's allwe need is like a calf cramp as
we're driving down the highway,like absolutely not You know
that this applies to you in yourlife, right?
In your family, in your work, inrelationships and friendships,
like you have to both give andreceive because if you're giving
(35:38):
all the time and you don't havethat reciprocated, oftentimes
that.
Leads to resentment, and that'snot gonna take you a place where
you wanna go.
Resentment's never gonna lead togood things because the stronger
your team is, the stronger yoursupport system is, the stronger
you become individually.
And that's exactly what Kevin'sstory, I think just.
(35:59):
Exemplified so beautifully isbecause he felt the love and
support from us.
He was then able to finish that100 mile race, and that was his
first 100 mile finish.
Was that race?
Kevin (36:13):
Oh yeah.
No.
if you had not given me thatconversation, I'm not sure I
would've made it to the finishline.
Angie (36:19):
And it wasn't me.
I didn't do it like, but.
Our support helped him bestronger as an individual like
you did that.
That was your accomplishment forsure.
But it was because of the loveand support that you had that
made you stronger and able tocontinue on.
Kevin (36:37):
Yeah, and that's why you need everybody and you can't
have that resentment because thetighter the team is, the
stronger each person is.
Like it's so much easier to goafter.
What if you want to call'emcrazy goals.
I think that's a great.
Great word for it.
Yeah.
It's easier to chase after crazygoals when you are well
supported by the people aroundyou.
Angie (36:57):
Yeah.
Especially when you know thatthey're going to love you and
support you no matter whathappens.
And I think that's some of thebeauty too, of your non-running
friends or family members thatdon't understand your running,
they don't care what your timeis on the clock or what distance
you run.
They think it's probably coolthat you did a marathon and.
(37:18):
They may or may not have anyidea what your time means.
oh, is that good?
Is that bad?
but they're gonna love youanyway, and they're gonna think
that you're amazing just becauseyou're out there doing it.
And I think that's reallyimportant for us to acknowledge
and be extremely grateful for,because that's going to help you
in your running and really inthe rest of your life.
(37:39):
Some practical ways to cultivateteamwork in your running, in
your life is number one.
Know who's on your team, make alist.
I would love for you to justtake five minutes and journal
and write down all of the peoplethat support you in your running
and in the rest of your life.
And just then look at that listand look how supported you truly
(38:02):
are and that is going to.
Give you so much of anopportunity for gratitude.
And gratitude is the frequencythat all of us need to tap into
more often because it helps tocalm our nervous system.
It helps to bring so muchgoodness into our lives.
But if you actually write downall of the people and all of the
ways that they have supportedyou, you're gonna realize you
(38:24):
have a lot of people on yourteam.
Kevin (38:26):
I mean you, you mentioned your mom and your half marathon
story earlier, but she's supersupportive of my going off and
running absurdly long distancesbecause she'll watch a dog.
Like she'll or I need to go getin something.
She's been supportive of uscoaching always because she'll
watch the girls like whatever itis she's there to help provide
(38:47):
support and she does notunderstand what is involved in
running a hundred miles.
No, but she has sent a solidcongratulations every time I've
done it.
Yeah, because that.
That's the support that, thatshe's providing.
That's what makes sense.
Angie (38:58):
Yeah.
I, and my mom is the best.
I like, yes, I told that onestory, but again, I take
responsibility for notcommunicating with her on how
important that it was for her tobe there.
And I also maybe didn't realizehow important it was until
afterwards.
I think that was a big part ofit too, is that I didn't realize
it until at the end when I waslike, or maybe even afterwards.
(39:20):
I don't remember exactly when,but.
then I realized oh, I wish mymom was here.
Kevin (39:25):
Yeah.
I remember shortly after youcrossed the finish line, it
seemed weird that your momwasn't there Yeah.
For that accomplishment.
But it didn't occur to youbeforehand that, that you wanted
her
Angie (39:35):
to I think that also that's.
Proof of asking for what youwant to, I think I didn't wanna
ask her and inconvenience herbecause it would've required her
to wake up at five or 6:00 AMYep.
And drive.
And to see me one or two timeslike that to me, was a big ask.
And I did realize afterwardsthat it was important to me and
I should have asked, And I thinkthat's where we can sometimes.
(40:00):
Grow like that would be an areaof growth, is really asking for
the things that are important toyou.
And I think that's.
a good thing.
Kevin (40:07):
Excellent.
Alright.
Another way to cultivateteamwork is simply to show up.
Because your presence matters.
We talked about this in terms ofteammates showing up for
practice.
The more people we have, themore likely we are to have
everybody.
As soon as you lose one or two,you're more likely to lose
three, four, and five.
Yeah.
it's just more likely thathappens with everybody.
If.
We are doing dishes afterdinner.
(40:28):
If one person can't do it, thenthe next person becomes slightly
resentful that they're doing it,and then suddenly we're down to
that person is only barely doingit, and now two people are doing
most of the work.
it all just starts fallingapart, so show up and be part of
the team.
Angie (40:45):
Share your struggles as well as your successes.
And I think that being a part ofthe social media world, it often
feels like a major highlightreel.
And oftentimes we look on toother people's posts and
sometimes can feel bad aboutwhat we're doing or what's going
on in our life.
(41:05):
And so I think it's reallyimportant as to be a good
teammate.
We also have to share some theups and downs.
Like it's important for us toshare our wins for sure, because
your wins can help other people,inspire other people, and I
think it's also important for usto be real in those times where.
Things aren't going the greatestbecause then people understand
(41:25):
that they're not alone and thatthere's nothing wrong with them
when things are down.
And I think it's important forall of us to be better about
that.
I know that is something thathas been very hard for me, to
share my struggles openly,especially.
With being a presence of apersonality online.
Like I'm not a major influencerat this point.
(41:47):
I don't have hundreds ofthousands of followers or
anything like that.
And at the same time, I do thinkthat it is important for me,
hold on.
I should go back and say I, I'mnot, that, I don't have that
many followers.
and at the same time, I.
Care about my reputation, right?
I care about what other peoplethink about me because I do want
(42:08):
to share my expertise and I wantpeople to trust me.
I want people to know that Iknow what I'm talking about.
And sometimes I feel that if Ishare too many of my struggles,
because obviously nobody wantsto be dumped on, but if I share
too many of the struggles, thenpeople will be like, this girl
has no idea what she's doing,when in reality.
(42:28):
Me showing my struggles is goingto show you that I'm a real
human being too, and that eventhough I am an expert and I do
absolutely know what I'm talkingabout, me as a person and me as
a runner, I can still experiencethose struggles as well.
Kevin (42:43):
Yeah.
sharing the struggles, I thinkjust it brings the team closer
together.
It allows the, whatever teamunit you're looking at, unite.
Like they unify if people canshare ups and downs.
Yeah.
'cause
Angie (42:57):
you don't wanna just share the struggles either.
Kevin (42:59):
you have the ups and.
On, on, following any crosscountry race.
Some people on the team aregoing to have big success
stories.
Other people are gonna be like,that was a terrible race for me.
And it all kind of balances.
And it's not a matter ofcomparison.
It's not being like, oh, thatperson had a good race, so that
was a good day for them and thatperson had a bad race.
And that was a struggle.
And that doesn't balance, butthe struggles of one person can
(43:21):
be that person's lessons, butthey can also be the lessons for
the whole team.
The success of one person couldthen lead to a lesson to
somebody else.
It's hard to learn a lot oflessons off of your own
victories, but you can learn alot of off of somebody else's
victories.
It's easy to learn off of yourown struggles, but you can learn
just as much off of somebodyelse's struggles, and then maybe
(43:41):
you don't have to experiencethose.
So to be able to share thehighs.
And the lows with the whole restof your teammate.
It unites the teammate.
It creates a stronger team, andit allows lessons to be learned
even faster.
So that's why I thinkcelebrating the high,
celebrating the low, celebrateit all because it's real and it
brings the team closer together.
But you also learn faster andget to more success.
Angie (44:04):
Yeah, absolutely.
And then as always, celebrateyour wins.
celebrate your wins, celebrateyour team wins.
And your wins can be anything.
It doesn't just have to be yourPRS or your personal best.
Every single Tuesday we meetwith our team on Zoom.
Every Tuesday at 11:00 AM wemeet on Zoom and the first 10 to
(44:25):
15 minutes of every single callis sharing wins.
And I, we always say, no win istoo small.
So some wins.
some people get on and theyshare that they ran their first
marathon or they ran theirpersonal best 5K ever.
Or they ran their longestdistance ever and other people
celebrate that.
They showed up this week thatthey made it to the team call
(44:49):
that they did their runyesterday even though they
didn't want to.
Or even though they only got in20 minutes and it was supposed
to be a 45 minute on thecalendar, or they got in one
round of strength training it,it's still a win.
And I think it's reallyimportant for us to start to
acknowledge more wins in ourlives because so many people.
(45:09):
Measure their success, in bycomparing where they are now to
where they want to be, to someideal future that they want to
be, or to some goal that theyhave set for themselves.
And they oftentimes don't lookback at how far they've come.
And it is so important for us todo that.
And that is going to be such agood way for you to cultivate
more teamwork in your own lifeas well.
(45:32):
So it, I really want you tounderstand that, teamwork is not
about.
Just being on a team of peoplethat you run with on a daily or
weekly basis.
It's about.
Taking your running experienceand connecting with other
runners or even non-runners andusing the wins, the ups, the
(45:53):
downs, in a way to continue togrow as a runner and as an
individual.
Kevin (45:58):
Yeah.
it's not about losing yourindividuality, it's about using
the benefits of those peoplearound you to improve as an
individual.
Okay.
your individual journey is.
a solo process, but it is soinfluenced by the people around
you.
And so create a giant, a niceteam around you.
(46:18):
Acknowledge that you have a goodteam around you and see what
that support network is, becausethat is so much of your real
life teammates.
Angie (46:27):
Amen.
So your challenge this week isto write down or just think
about who is on your team inrunning and in life, and also.
How can you be a better teammatethis week to whoever it is that
you want to reconnect with?
or how can you express gratitudeto someone on your team this
(46:49):
week or show up in a better waythan you have been?
Like?
I think it's important for us torealize sometimes we do go
through periods where we are.
Only focusing ourselves onourselves or focusing more on
ourselves, than we are on theother people in our lives.
So this is an opportunity to dosome self-reflection there too,
(47:09):
and figure out how you canbecome a better teammate.
And maybe that means asking forwhat you need.
Maybe that means not giving asmuch this week as you always do,
and asking other people on yourteam to step up and take some of
the.
Responsibilities off of yourplate.
I think that's also being a goodteammate because a good teammate
doesn't just do it all.
(47:29):
A good teammate asks her teamfor help also.
So reflect on that.
I'd love to hear your thoughtsand make sure that you join our
eight days of giveaways.
So you can join that on ouremail list,
over@realliferunners.com.
If you scroll all the way downto the bottom.
There's a section where you canput in your name and your email
address, I think, or actually Ithink it's just your email
(47:50):
address.
and that will put you on ouremail list.
So you'll get the rest of theemails in our eight days of
giveaways.
And you can also follow us overon Instagram at real life
runners and learn about what thetask is for every single day and
be entered to win the prize forthat day.
So as always, thanks for joiningus.
This has been The Real LifeRunners podcast, episode number
429.
(48:10):
Now get out there and run yourlife.
This is the Real Life Runners Podcast, episode number
4 29.
Today we are finishing up ourseries on core values with core
value.
Number five, teamwork.
What the heck does teamwork haveto do with you as a real life
runner that may or may notactually be on a team?
believe it or not, teamworkapplies to not only your
(00:21):
running, but all areas of yourlife.
So let's chat about it.
Stay tuned.
(00:49):
What's up runners?
Welcome back to the Real LifeRunners podcast in our core
value series, where today we'retalking about core value.
Number five,
Kevin (00:57):
it's teamwork time and teamwork makes the dream work.
So this episode is gonna just beawesome
Angie (01:02):
because Kevin's gonna say teamwork makes the dream work
multiple more times, probably.
Possibly.
So those of you that.
Are new to the podcast.
Welcome.
we have been doing a little corevalue series over the last few
weeks, that has stemmed from ourwork with our high school cross
country team.
So every year we come up with aset of core values for the team,
(01:25):
and they are similar, but weoften tweak them a little bit.
And so we were thinking aboutideas for the podcast and said,
you know what?
Let's take these core valuesthat we've.
Put forth in our cross countryteam and talk about how they
apply to us as real liferunners.
And so I think that, so farwe've talked about integrity,
respect, commitment, andresilience.
(01:46):
And so if you haven't caughtthose episodes, I would suggest
going back to those you, youdefinitely don't have to listen
to those before you listen tothis one.
But teamwork is an interestingone.
I think when we look at.
Our lives as real life runnerswith, real lives.
And most of us aren't on somesort of formal type of team.
Kevin (02:06):
I feel like most people listening to this podcast are
probably not on any sort offormal team.
Maybe they've got some people,
Angie (02:11):
unless you're a part of our real life runners team,
which is awesome.
Kevin (02:14):
That's very true.
but a lot of our real liferunners team is scattered around
the world, and so it doesn'tfeel like a team in the same
sense as right.
When I was, I ran cross countryin high school.
That was a team right.
As
Angie (02:25):
kids gathering after school every single day and
running together.
Kevin (02:29):
That feels a whole heck of a lot more like a team.
Yeah.
My alarm going off at five andheading out to run in the dark
does not feel as much like ateam sport as our cross country
kids getting together at, three30.
Angie (02:39):
yeah, I would agree that it's different, but I still
think that.
What we're gonna talk abouttoday, I have a feeling all of
you are gonna be able to applyto your life.
Whether or not you are a part ofour real life runners team or
any other team.
Maybe you're part of a localrunning group.
Like those are some of the moreobvious ways that this applies.
But there's ways that you mightnot expect where this also
(03:00):
applies.
So it really matters for us totalk about this because running
can often feel.
And seem like a very individualsport, and we even talk about
this with our cross country kidsbecause.
A lot of them come into running,maybe not even realizing, like
they know that they're on a teamand they know that they're doing
this with other people, butrunning does tend to feel very
(03:22):
individual.
However, when we start to seeteamwork and we start to really
embrace it and the power that ithas, it can play a really big
role in our growth and oursuccess as runners.
Kevin (03:35):
I think the more that the kids latch onto the teamwork, it
really helps the overall teamimprove.
Yes, it is.
It is a collection ofindividuals.
any team is just a collection ofindividuals, but when
everybody's just fighting forthemselves instead of uniting
towards a common cause, I thinkthat common cause.
Creates a lot of motivationwithin each other.
(03:56):
It creates a lot of the benefitsof teamwork because you're all
striving towards the same thing.
a few years ago, there was thatbig push on that team that they
really wanted to get to thestate, meet as a full team, not
just have a couple kidsindividually qualify.
Yeah.
But as a whole team.
And that was the year that Isuggested, okay, fine.
You make it as a whole team andyou can color my hair, whatever
color you want it.
(04:16):
And it just, it added to some,like some fun.
Of chasing a very difficultphysical goal, but they were
really united in this.
We are going to get to the statemeet as a whole group, and it
tied the whole group together.
I thought,
Angie (04:30):
yeah, I agree.
And, making your hair pink andpurple was also, I think, a very
motivating factor.
Kevin (04:35):
I think it was like a little bonus that they got.
I don't, I think as the seasonwore on.
That was less exciting for themthan how close they were to
getting to the meet.
Like they kept seeing theirtimes get faster.
They kept seeing how close theywere.
I was giving them comparisons tothe other teams.
And as that goal kept gettingcloser and closer to in their
grasp, I think it, they werelike, and we get to color his
(04:57):
hair pink.
Like it was just like a bonusadd-on.
But it, that was beyond thepoint.
At that point.
Angie (05:01):
Yeah, I agree.
And it might be time to startbringing that.
Into our conversation this yearnow too, start giving the team
an idea of where we stand, don'tyou think?
Kevin (05:11):
Oh no, definitely.
Yeah, I'd, it is time'cause wehaven't done
Angie (05:13):
that yet, so I think it's time for us to bring that piece
in.
So before we jump into today'sepisode, I want to invite you,
if you are listening to thisepisode, when it is released
here, which is the actually.
This one's actually coming outin October,'cause we're
recording it in September, butthe release date of this one is
(05:34):
actually October 2nd.
So if you are listening to thisepisode during that week, I
wanna invite you to join.
The eight days of giveaways.
I'm actually running a specialpromotion right now because
Kevin, did you know that acouple of days ago we celebrated
our eight year podcastanniversary?
Kevin (05:55):
I did.
The podcast player sent me anemail that said, congratulations
on your anniversary.
Did it really?
Yes, it did.
Oh, that's
Angie (05:59):
fun.
but yes, so we have beenrecording this podcast for the
last eight years, and we haveonly missed one week recording
the podcast in eight years.
Kevin (06:11):
I have missed multiple weeks.
The podcast has missed one.
Angie (06:14):
Yeah.
Kevin (06:15):
Yeah.
I've lost my voice a few times.
You've done plenty of soloepisodes.
Angie (06:18):
Yeah.
You did a solo episode once too.
That was good.
Yes, I did.
But there was one, I forget whatweek it was, but it was like
early on in our podcastingjourney.
I wanna say it was within thefirst or second year.
I think it because we, let'ssee, we started this in 2017.
I wanna say that.
the week that we missed wassomewhere in 2018 or 2019.
But, yeah, we only have missedone week out of eight years,
(06:42):
which I am really freaking proudof.
And I think that demonstrates alot of the core, all five really
of the core values that we'retalking about today.
Integrity, doing what we said wewere going to do.
'cause I, when we started thispodcast, I said I wanted to
release a weekly podcast andwe've done that pretty much,
minus one, resilience.
Definitely coming back whenthings get hard, and especially
(07:04):
when we don't have a podcasttopic to talk about.
Or you definitely
Kevin (07:07):
resilient or we're just so tired and it's like, all
right, like tonight.
Yeah.
Or this, that's happens a lotthat it's like, we're so tired
and we've gotta get the podcastout.
We've gotta get it recorded soit can get processed and put out
there.
that's happened a few times.
Did we make it through?
Christmas break of 2017 makingpodcasts because like I had a
seizure in the middle of thatChristmas break.
Yeah, so I feel like that mayhave been the time we missed.
(07:30):
It
Angie (07:30):
might have been.
I think that it was actually alittle bit after that.
I wanna say that it was like aweek in February where just
things just went awry.
Interesting.
but it might have been, yeah, Idon't remember exactly.
Yes.
And then obviously commitmentand respect for you as our
listeners and respect for thecommitment that we made, and
then of course, teamwork becausenot only have we gotten together
(07:53):
and done the vast majority ofthese podcast episodes together,
which has been great, but.
We've also have had guests andI've done solo episodes and
you've done a solo episode, andwe also have a team that
supports us.
I have someone that edits, orshe doesn't really do much
editing, to be honest, becausewe pretty much just hit record
and then hit play.
But she publishes the episodeshe, she adds the music to it
(08:15):
and, she publishes the episodeand helps me with some social
media from the episode.
So we have a team, With thispodcast.
And so it, it is definitely hasbeen, and continues to be a
labor of love.
So we wanted to celebrate thatwith you all.
So I came up with this idea ofdoing eight days of giveaways to
celebrate eight years of thepodcast.
(08:36):
So you can go back and catch upand if you wanna do all eight of
the, days, that would befantastic.
But today, on the day that we'rerecording this, like today's.
Activity was to leave a reviewfor the podcast.
So I'm gonna give away, I'mgonna ask you for one to do one
thing to support the podcast,and then I am going to, if you
do that thing, you'll be enteredto win that day's prize.
(08:58):
So the prize today is a reallife runner shirt, which is
awesome.
and we're gonna have variousprizes to give away throughout
the eight days and variousthings that we're going to ask
you to do in order to enter thatprize giveaway drawing.
That's the teamwork that I'mgonna be asking of you guys
because this podcast would notexist if it weren't for all of
you.
This is, you are the reason thatwe do this every single week.
(09:21):
You are the reason that we stayup late and record when we are
exhausted, that we come up withnew ideas, that I reach out and
I find amazing guests to bringto you all because we love
helping you.
We love hearing from you.
And those of you that have everreached out and left us a review
or sent us an email or, POposted something on social media
(09:44):
and let us know how the episodeshave impacted you and your
running and your life, I justwanna say thank you because that
is the reason that we continueto do this.
And when I get those emails,when I get those notes or those
dms or those comments from youall.
Talking about how this podcasthas helped you or has changed
(10:07):
your life or changed yourrunning in any way, that's.
It's just further reinforcementof why we're doing this, and so
please keep those messagescoming.
If you haven't, left a review onthe podcast, I would love to ask
you to do so because when youleave those reviews, it really
does help other people find theshow and help us to reach new
runners and help more people,
Kevin (10:27):
which is ultimately why we do this.
All is, is to try to help morerunners enjoy the running
experience.
Running is not difficult.
this whole episode is aboutteamwork, and this podcast, I
think helps bring runnerstogether and realize that we're
all sort of part of this runningteam.
Angie (10:44):
Did you just say running is not difficult?
Kevin (10:46):
No, I said running is difficult.
Oh,
Angie (10:48):
okay.
Kevin (10:48):
I, at least I was aiming to say running is difficult.
I was like, like you pointedout, I'm, it's, I'm tired.
We'll wait.
but no, running is difficult andhaving other people around, but
that's not all that teamwork is.
To bring this back on to pointhere, teamwork is not just
working together.
There's a whole lot moreinvolved in the aspect of
teamwork.
Teamwork is support, it'sencouraging other people.
(11:11):
It's,
Angie (11:12):
hold on.
I have to.
Tell them how to join the eightdays of giveaways, don't you
think?
Okay, go.
So sorry to interrupt you, butyou like tried to cut me off
here.
I wasn't ready for that.
Kevin (11:21):
I was not trying to cut anything off.
I got an email.
Bring it back
Angie (11:24):
around.
Kevin (11:24):
There you go.
Angie (11:26):
they have to be on the email list essentially.
That's'cause you got the email.
I got the email that I sent out.
But yes, if you want toparticipate in the eight days of
giveaways, you have to either.
Be a part of our email list.
That's where all the detailswill be sent out every single
day.
Or follow us on social media, onInstagram at real life runners,
because I'll be posting on ourInstagram stories every day as
well.
(11:46):
So make sure that you're on ouremail list.
You can go to our website, reallife runners.com and sign up to
be on our email list there.
Or you can follow us on socialmedia.
Okay, so bring it back toteamwork.
It's not just about workingtogether.
Kevin (12:00):
It's something about makes the dream work, I think is
roughly where the topic isperfect.
That's number two.
So it's not just workingtogether, it's support, it's
encouragement.
Like you don't have to beworking and get cheering for
each other.
That is teamwork.
It's providing a source ofaccountability.
It's the common purpose,whatever that is.
Even if you're not directlyworking with another person,
(12:20):
like there is a.
Team all doing a workouttogether.
There's something to be said fora group of people knocking out
like 10 by a 400, but knowingthat you and somebody else are
both training for a similargoal, even if you're never
sharing miles with them, that isa common purpose that you're
aiming for.
Or maybe the common purpose ofsimply there is a fall race that
(12:43):
two people are training for.
That could be the commonpurpose.
All of these are differentaspects of teamwork and all of
them provide a whole heck of alot of benefit towards every
person involved.
Angie (12:53):
Yeah, I agree.
And I think that, running can belonely.
It can be a solitary type ofactivity, but.
It rarely is successful inisolation, right?
So that's where the distinctionlies.
It can be solitary, but it'srarely successful in isolation
because on a team, everyonecontributes, even if your
(13:17):
results are individual and thatactually expands out.
If you're not a part of like a.
Traditional type of team, likethe cross country team, it still
expands out to the rest of yourlife because you as a real life
runner, have a team, whether yourealize it or not.
So when we talk about it on thecross country team, we talk
about that support.
(13:37):
We talk about supporting yourteammates.
Even if you are on the varsityteam, it's a great idea that you
will stick around and cheer onthe junior varsity runners, the
JV runners, or vice versa, Justbeing there at the tent, helping
each other get ready and makesure everybody has the numbers,
and then going out and cheeringfor the runners, out on the
(13:58):
race.
All of those things are veryimportant.
Showing up for practice, that isa big part of teamwork because
the kids, they know like theyhave more fun when.
Their friends are there.
it's, yes, they are runners andthey like running.
At least most of them do.
But it's a lot more fun whenyou're there doing it with your
friends
Kevin (14:18):
and it's a lot easier to not do it if other people start
not showing up to the practice.
That's where the accountabilityshows up of teamwork.
Yeah.
Is if everybody shows up,everybody's practice starts at
three 20, so time to go topractice, then that's what
everybody does.
As you start losing a fewpeople, it makes it easier and
easier for.
The next person to be like, oh,I guess I don't also need to go
(14:41):
to practice today.
So it works both directions.
You can really help encouragepeople towards bigger goals, but
you can also help people slideand let things drift away and
lose all sorts of motivation andaccountability.
Angie (14:52):
Yeah, we talked to that about that in the race too.
if you are in a race and you arerunning with your teammate and
you notice that your teammate isstarting to slow down, you can.
Slow down with them, that is anoption.
Or you can encourage them tostay with you, right?
You can cheer them on and say,come on, we're, let's go.
we're still in this.
And so how does this.
apply to us as real liferunners.
(15:14):
like we mentioned, the obviousway are the ones, those of you
that are part of any sort oftraining, like a running club or
training team, like an, even avirtual online community, like
our real life runners team, ifyou have running buddies like.
Even if it's one or two peoplethat you train with or run with,
you don't have to do it alone.
(15:34):
And even if you don't have anypeople in person, there's tons
of Facebook groups and all sortsof online running communities
that you can be a part of.
Now, I will say that with anasterisk and I will say, please
be very careful which runninggroups you are a part of,
because I've been a part of alot of different running groups
(15:54):
online.
Some of them are toxic places tobe.
I think that there's a lot ofbad advice that gets given out
in those running groups.
You have to be very careful andvery choosy what kind of
information you want to listento, and I highly recommend that.
You join a group and you know ifit's, if there's a coach in
charge of that group, if theinformation is being vetted in
(16:17):
any way, just be careful whatyou listen to, and what you
consume because there's also alot of comparison in those
groups and there can be a lot ofjealousy and all sorts of
ickiness.
So choose wisely.
if you're choosing an onlinecommunity, I highly encourage
you to choose wisely and be verycareful with what you choose to
be a part of.
Kevin (16:38):
Yeah, the online group, and we've had a, an online group
like our team exists around theworld like, like I said earlier,
but.
I still feel very much connectedto the team.
Like when I race, I put on areal life runner's racing shirt
and I feel like I am part ofthis team.
Whether there are other peoplein the race that have that shirt
(16:58):
or not, it to me.
That is me showing up as part ofthis team.
And so I'm putting forth theeffort surrounded by my
teammates, whether they arephysically there or elsewhere.
It's still part of a whole teamthing and I think that is super
helpful'cause it's not sayingthat the weight of this entire
race is on me, it's saying I'mheading to this race with
(17:19):
support of others, with a wholecrew with me.
Angie (17:22):
Yeah, and that's who you're representing also, right?
Because teamwork is also aboutyour support crew, and this is
really where I think teamwork.
Is the strongest.
like the biggest thing that wehave to think about as real life
runners is who is a part of yourteam, like your family, your
friends, coaches, healthcareproviders, like who do you work
(17:44):
with that helps to support you?
In the thing that you are doingand that could look like, your
spouse that is not a runner thatmaybe just supports you that in
your crazy goals or your crazydreams or maybe not crazy.
I don't really like to use thatword actually.
I do like to use that word.
I use it as a more of a badge ofhonor because I think it's a
(18:04):
good thing.
Like I'm a big fan of beingcrazy.
but.
Maybe they don't do it.
Maybe they don't reallyunderstand it, but they support
you.
Maybe they're a runner also, butthey just don't run a hundred
miles, and so they don'tunderstand why you would ever
want to do that.
But they wake up and they drivelots of hours to support you and
(18:26):
they pack up the car.
And I'm not trying to toot myown horn because there's a lot
of people that do this, not justme.
And that's.
A huge thing for you tocelebrate.
So if you have a spouse, apartner, a friend that is like
that for you in your corner,that is there cheering you on at
a race or holding up a sign,even if they don't understand
(18:47):
what's going on, they are a partof your team and they're a part
of your support crew.
And if you are really, trulyhonest with yourself, you
couldn't do it without them likeyou probably could for a while.
Do you, how long do you thinkthat would really last?
Kevin (19:02):
Yeah.
Have you been at every longdistance race that I've ever
run?
I wanna say
Angie (19:08):
yes.
Like
Kevin (19:09):
you were at my first marathon.
Completely unsure of what theheck was going on.
But you had a sign.
Angie (19:14):
Yeah.
I was not a runner at thatpoint.
And this was our senior year ofcollege.
And I still hated running atthat point in time.
definitely thought there was acute boy with dimples that I was
going to cheer in Chicago,
Kevin (19:24):
which was like the full point of you going like that was
it.
It wasn't like, oh man, it'sgonna be great to go watch a
marathon.
Angie (19:30):
no.
I was also visiting my friendthat lived in Chicago, so that
was funnel, so
Kevin (19:33):
but that was unrelated to the marathon.
Yeah.
That was related to Chicago.
Angie (19:37):
Yeah, exactly.
but I had no idea why you andMark were doing this.
Kevin ran the Chicago marathonwith his best friend and
roommate.
At the time, our senior year ofcollege.
but we at that point had beentogether about six months.
'cause we got together, a littlebit longer than that.
Because we got together in Aprilofficially.
Yeah, about six months.
(19:57):
Yeah, about six months.
About six months.
'cause Chicago's in October.
I
Kevin (20:00):
wanna say October.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's coming up.
Angie (20:01):
Yeah.
So we had been dating about sixmonths at that time.
And, I didn't.
Understand it at all, but I madeyou a sign and slept on my
friend's floor and supportedChicago.
Kevin (20:12):
There you go.
Yeah, and you've been at everyrace since and there were plenty
of races from the beginning,like I remember.
Sitting on the ground at mile22, like I couldn't even make it
to the curb.
My calves completely seized up.
So I'm just like sitting on theside of the road and I knew that
I still had four miles to goBecause you were at the finish
line.
Like I had passed the last timethat I could see you during the
(20:34):
race.
Yeah.
And because I saw you
Angie (20:36):
like 21, 21 and a half.
Kevin (20:37):
Yeah.
So I knew I had four more milesto go or I wasn't gonna be able
to see you.
So you have been verymotivational from the very
beginning.
You have helped me to manyfinish lines that I don't think
I could have made it to withoutyou out there.
Aw.
So you point out that there,there are other people doing
this.
You go, you've crewed me at someultras and you watch, vans full
(20:59):
of people and families unloadingoutta these giant vans and
setting up like a whole picnictable out behind them.
The support crews at theselonger races are.
Crazy.
They're
Angie (21:09):
amazing.
Like they're amazing.
I remember the first one that wedid well,'cause the first couple
of ultras that you did wererunning down the road.
Yep.
So I didn't really have the samelevel of interaction with the
other crews that were therebecause it was just, I had us
and we were the crew in the carand we were just following you
down the road.
(21:29):
And we, I talked to a couplepeople at some of the stops that
when we were waiting for you,but that last ultra that you
did, where it was.
Kind of camp style.
Like you just, we just sat in aparking lot, a field really, and
not a lot, but we parked in afield and waited for Kevin to
come see us six times throughoutthe course of the day.
Yeah.
Kevin (21:49):
I just, I saw you every three to four hours.
Yeah.
that was the craziness.
But
Angie (21:52):
it was like, it was really cool because that's what
all of them were doing too, andthey all had their camping
chairs and they were justsitting out and just hanging
out.
Here.
I was like, okay, we saw himonce.
Let's go to get Starbucks.
Yep.
I didn't know what I had signedup for here.
Kevin (22:08):
I really hope I get into that one again.
That's gonna be a blast.
Angie (22:11):
Oh, I think I'll be much better prepared this time.
if you have someone, and maybeyou're not into marathons or
ultras, and that's cool too, doyou have someone that goes to a
5K with you or do you have otherfriends at that 5K?
Or maybe just that, those peoplethat you know, that you see at
your local 5K that you know areprobably gonna be there even if
(22:31):
you don't know their name orthose people that you see.
On your Tuesday morning runs atfive 30 in the morning because
you know that if you run Tuesdaymornings at five 30, that
person's gonna be out there too.
And you don't even know theirname.
You don't know what they'redoing.
But in a way, they're also apart of your support system.
Like I enjoy going out when I'mout on my runs and seeing those
(22:55):
people.
And when I don't see the samepeople, I'm like, oh, I wonder
where that girl is today.
Orange sports bra girl orwhatever it is, like you, you
think about those people andyou're like, oh, I hope
everything's okay.
And maybe she's outta town ormaybe she's, I hope she's not
sick or anything, but thosepeople are a part of your
routine.
Kevin (23:11):
Yeah, there was a guy that I saw all summer long on,
on the loop that I did, and itwas right around the start of
school year and we alwayscrossed each other going the
opposite direction.
And as I got to him, he startedwaving both hands.
And I'd seen him for the last, Idon't know, couple of months,
and he waved both of his handsat me to get me to stop.
And he goes, I just wanted tolet you know I'm heading back to
(23:33):
New York, so you're not gonnasee me on the loop anymore.
Angie (23:36):
Aw.
Kevin (23:37):
to make sure that I wasn't worried about him.
Like he just, he let me know I'mgoing back up oh, okay.
have a great time.
Aw.
But I had seen that guy mostdays for the last several
months, it made sense.
It was like he was saying, bye,and you don't have to worry
about me.
I'm good.
Angie (23:52):
Which I think is so cool because clearly you are a part
of his running crew.
Kevin (23:56):
Yes.
And I
Angie (23:57):
think that's really cool to think about it.
Also, you never know who's.
Support crew you're a part of.
Either like just by askingsomebody, Hey, how's your
running going?
Or Hey, how's your training?
Are you signed up for a race?
Like just expressing interestsin someone else's running or
fitness journey, I think says alot and means a lot to people
(24:20):
more than we might realize.
Kevin (24:22):
that's why I like my runs.
That I don't have to do in thepitch black because I don't
recognize that all the peopleout there and I can't exactly
see who it is.
Yeah.
There's not a lot ofconversation and even, in the
daylight, it's not like I stopand have conversations with
people, but I give the smile andthe wave.
If it looks like they're.
Pushing.
I'm like, oh, looking good,looking strong.
Like I try and say somethingpositive to whoever I'm running,
(24:45):
either opposite directions orthe same direction, whatever it
is that we're doing.
I try to send some sort ofpositive message toward that
person.
But at five 30 in the pitchblack, I don't always send that
message.
I recognize that person.
They might recognize me.
But there's not always a wholelot of talking.
There's one guy that I passedmost mornings that he's, if I'm
(25:05):
pushing, he will always sendwords of encouragement back Aw.
Of oh, looking fast thismorning.
Yeah.
And it, that's amazing to hear.
It's so if anybody ever outrunning has said something
positive to you and you're like,oh, wow, that, like that means
so much.
It seems like it's coming from astranger, but if that's ever
made an impact on your run,think about how you could do
that to everybody that you seewhen you're out running and how
(25:27):
nice that would be for them.
Angie (25:29):
Yeah, I agree.
And the other thing I wannamention too, and I wasn't really
planning on this, it just poppedinto my head, is that if you
don't have, or if there's.
A family member or a friend thatmaybe is not outwardly
supportive of your running, itmight not mean anything
negative.
It might just mean that theydon't understand it and they
(25:52):
don't understand how importantit is to you.
So tell them.
I think that's a reallyimportant thing.
'cause like for me, my mom hasbeen one of the most supportive.
People in my entire life, and Ilove her dearly.
She's always been there for me.
I have so many good things tosay about my mom, but what I,
(26:13):
but my mom did not come to myfirst half marathon, and that
hurt me a lot because I waslike, how could she not be
there?
And in my mom and I actuallybrought it up to her, relatively
recently and said, told her thatreally.
was hurtful.
Like I was upset about that,that, and she was like, oh my
gosh, I'm so sorry.
I had no idea.
She's but don't I just get tosee you like one time?
(26:36):
And I was like, yeah, but that'snot the point.
but non-runners don't understandthat.
And so if you have someone inyour life that it's important to
you that they support, you havesome more conversations with
them.
Because my mom just genuinelydidn't understand because I was
never a runner.
I.
Always hated running when I wasathletic and in into sports and
(26:58):
on different teams, and she cameto all of my games and was
always super supportive.
But this whole running thing wasjust an individual thing, I
think in her mind.
Like she, I, she just didn'tunderstand it and like it was
upsetting to me, but.
At the same time, I neverexpressed to her that it was
important for her to be there tome and I, and that's on me.
Like I think that if I would'vetold her, I think I just assumed
(27:21):
that she would know, or I justexpected her to be there.
But I never, I.
Expressed that, and that's onme.
And I think that, if there issomebody that you feel that way
with, I would just encourage youto have a conversation with that
person and tell them howimportant it's to you and tell
them how much it would mean toyou if they showed up at.
Your race.
My mom was like, wait, you wantme to wake up at 6:00 AM and
(27:45):
drive?
What?
What are you talk to, to juststand on the side of the road?
she just didn't get it.
And I was like, yeah, but that'swhat you do.
and so I think that's a helpfulconversation to have.
Kevin (27:55):
it's a helpful conversation.
It's also helpful to figure outwhat it is that you expect out
of them.
Yeah.
And maybe even help coordinatethings for them, because
especially at something longer,like a half marathon or a full
marathon, there is somelogistics in coordinating how to
see somebody multiple times.
Yeah.
Or if you're only gonna be ableto see them once alright, you
(28:15):
can see me at this part.
And then there's a coffee shopright here that you can hang out
at.
And then in about an hour I'llbe back.
And then we can meet up afterthe race here.
Yeah.
Like you might want to actuallyput some coordination for them.
Yeah.
Be, especially if this is a nonrunner that does not get it at
all.
Angie (28:31):
Yeah, for sure.
I think that would be a goodidea.
So there are people in yourlife, so whether you realize it
or not, those people that loveyou and that are in your life.
They're supporting you and youprobably wouldn't be where you
are without them.
So say thank you.
realize that they are a part ofyour team and, that requires
some teamwork.
And teamwork also requirescommunication.
(28:53):
So don't be upset if you haven'tcommunicated certain things to
them as well.
And the cool thing about allthese core values, including
teamwork, is that they allextend beyond running.
And teamwork carries over intoyour real life in so many ways
in your family.
Like you have to have teamworkin the family.
Like just think about tonight,right?
(29:14):
Tonight we definitely had someteamwork going on with taking,
we had to have someone over.
'cause now we are in the.
Dog adoption process, and someof these rescue organizations
have very extensive applicationprocesses.
So we actually had to have ahome visit tonight where they
like took pictures of our houseand did, made sure that we are
(29:36):
who we say we are.
I guess so.
I'm
Kevin (29:39):
not sure.
Angie (29:39):
Yeah, so it was pretty wild.
So we all had to be home forthat.
Like all four of us have to bethere.
And then our oldest daughter hada college fair and so I took her
to that and Kevin stayed homeand made dinner and then we,
stopped at the grocery store onthe way home and there's all
these different moving piecesand so in family life, then
there was dishes afterwards.
(30:00):
some, somebody washes somebody.
Dry.
Somebody wipes off the counterand clears the table.
There's a whole lot of teamworkinvolved in family life all the
time.
if you're trying to get kids tovarious places.
And that's a, that's ourtomorrow, Tuesday night, we've
got kids in all sorts ofdifferent places.
Tuesday night
Kevin (30:17):
just screams teamwork, like it has to be well
coordinated and wellcommunicated as to who's moving
in which direction it is.
it is a dance that we get toplay out here and that is
teamwork, that is parenting.
And, it's a great team.
You are, an amazing teamteammate,
Angie (30:34):
and you are an amazing teammate
Kevin (30:36):
also.
I try my best.
I am a niche role player.
I'm like, like on a basketballteam, Angie's clear, she's
running the point.
She's also the two guard.
She's the center.
You're probably the, I don't
Angie (30:51):
think I'm the center
Kevin (30:52):
of our family unit, definitely.
And, but I'm
Angie (30:55):
definitely not the tallest one on the court
Kevin (30:56):
and the power forward.
And I am, I'm that one that'sjust, I'm gonna set up around
the three point arc.
I've got my role and this iswhat I'm going for.
Angie (31:05):
Yep.
we all have different roles, butthat's the beauty of teamwork is
that you find people on yourteam that support you.
And I couldn't do what I do inlife without you.
Like you are the best teamplayer and I didn't realize we
were gonna get a little mushy onthis, but this is.
What it is, like even thisbusiness, you have supported me
(31:29):
100% in my crazy ideas of I'mgonna stop doing physical
therapy and create a wholeonline coaching business.
And you're like, yep, let's doit.
Like you just, you support me.
I couldn't do what I do withoutthat love and support from you.
Kevin (31:49):
Yeah.
And that allowed me to dosomething crazy, like I'm gonna
start running a hundred mile.
Yeah.
Because both of us were like,this is the thing, this is the
thing that I'm going to dothat's gonna bring the joy, but
I'm gonna need a whole heck of alot of support from you.
And that's where teamwork comesin.
And Sure, mine is related to arunning goal, but it doesn't
really matter what it is.
(32:10):
Yeah.
Like it's the teamwork thathelps you that.
Makes you feel supported thatsays, I'm gonna try this crazy
thing, and I don't know howsuccessful it's going to be.
But I feel supported in theprocess.
So it's okay if I don't haveimmediate success because the
people that I have surroundedmyself with, my team gets it.
(32:30):
They get the importance of thisand they will be there
regardless of the outcome ofthis week or next year.
They're here to support me andmy efforts.
Angie (32:39):
Yeah.
And I think that the, one of thebig.
Things with teamwork, like oneof the important points is that
in order to be a good teammember, you have to both give
and receive support.
And I think for some of us thatcan be the hardest thing.
Like we're very good at givingand we're not as good as
(32:59):
receiving sometimes.
And I think that's really whatteamwork teaches us how to do
and what running teaches us howto do.
We have to be able to both giveand receive support.
And, I think about, your race.
I know you've told this storybefore and I'll let you tell it,
here, but when you were comingup against the time deadline or
in your head the time deadlinefor Daytona The Daytona 100
(33:24):
where you had wanted to finishbefore midnight and.
We, you were getting reallyupset about it.
Kevin (33:32):
Yeah,'cause I'm doing the math and I'm trying to do math
after running for over 12 hours.
So math is not working.
The
Angie (33:37):
math is not math.
That
Kevin (33:38):
as the kids like to say,
Angie (33:40):
six, seven,
Kevin (33:41):
a good one, but I.
I was capable of doing mathenough that I knew that
midnight, the gold deadline, theCinderella hour was getting
really small.
The chances of actually crossingon the same day were getting
really slim.
And I came to you at an aidstation.
I'm like, I'm not gonna make it.
I'm not going to make midnight.
(34:01):
And you said something to theeffect of, okay, we are still
gonna be here.
And it was just like it.
It wasn't like you didn't haveto give me this giant rah
speech.
It was just like, that's okay.
We're, you're still gonna get tothe finish line and we're still
going to be here the whole time.
And I didn't need a giant rahspeech.
I just needed that support.
(34:22):
I needed it to be okay that Iwasn't gonna make it to
midnight.
Because in my head I'm like, oh,everybody had to get up so
early.
They're driving down the side ofthe road.
This has gotta be.
Awful for them.
So at least if I could do mybest to get'em done by midnight
so we could all just go home andgo back to the hotel and sleep,
that's, that would be my doing.
(34:43):
My part is maybe we can get tobed at a reasonable hour.
Angie (34:46):
to be fair, both of the girls fell asleep in the back of
the car, so it.
Truly didn't affect them.
They were just sleeping away.
Okay, but
Kevin (34:54):
you needed some sleep at some point because then you also
drove back the next day.
I can't help on the drive thenext day.
I did suggest, not afterDaytona, but after long haul
last year, that I could havedriven some of the way home.
I definitely suggested that youdid, you said?
no, it was the wholeconversation.
Angie (35:13):
And maybe laughed a little bit about it too.
Kevin (35:15):
I felt as though I was up to it.
Angie (35:17):
yeah.
No, again, that's not that's allwe need is like a calf cramp as
we're driving down the highway,like absolutely not You know
that this applies to you in yourlife, right?
In your family, in your work, inrelationships and friendships,
like you have to both give andreceive because if you're giving
(35:38):
all the time and you don't havethat reciprocated, oftentimes
that.
Leads to resentment, and that'snot gonna take you a place where
you wanna go.
Resentment's never gonna lead togood things because the stronger
your team is, the stronger yoursupport system is, the stronger
you become individually.
And that's exactly what Kevin'sstory, I think just.
(35:59):
Exemplified so beautifully isbecause he felt the love and
support from us.
He was then able to finish that100 mile race, and that was his
first 100 mile finish.
Was that race?
Kevin (36:13):
Oh yeah.
No.
if you had not given me thatconversation, I'm not sure I
would've made it to the finishline.
Angie (36:19):
And it wasn't me.
I didn't do it like, but.
Our support helped him bestronger as an individual like
you did that.
That was your accomplishment forsure.
But it was because of the loveand support that you had that
made you stronger and able tocontinue on.
Kevin (36:37):
Yeah, and that's why you need everybody and you can't
have that resentment because thetighter the team is, the
stronger each person is.
Like it's so much easier to goafter.
What if you want to call'emcrazy goals.
I think that's a great.
Great word for it.
Yeah.
It's easier to chase after crazygoals when you are well
supported by the people aroundyou.
Angie (36:57):
Yeah.
Especially when you know thatthey're going to love you and
support you no matter whathappens.
And I think that's some of thebeauty too, of your non-running
friends or family members thatdon't understand your running,
they don't care what your timeis on the clock or what distance
you run.
They think it's probably coolthat you did a marathon and.
(37:18):
They may or may not have anyidea what your time means.
oh, is that good?
Is that bad?
but they're gonna love youanyway, and they're gonna think
that you're amazing just becauseyou're out there doing it.
And I think that's reallyimportant for us to acknowledge
and be extremely grateful for,because that's going to help you
in your running and really inthe rest of your life.
(37:39):
Some practical ways to cultivateteamwork in your running, in
your life is number one.
Know who's on your team, make alist.
I would love for you to justtake five minutes and journal
and write down all of the peoplethat support you in your running
and in the rest of your life.
And just then look at that listand look how supported you truly
(38:02):
are and that is going to.
Give you so much of anopportunity for gratitude.
And gratitude is the frequencythat all of us need to tap into
more often because it helps tocalm our nervous system.
It helps to bring so muchgoodness into our lives.
But if you actually write downall of the people and all of the
ways that they have supportedyou, you're gonna realize you
(38:24):
have a lot of people on yourteam.
Kevin (38:26):
I mean you, you mentioned your mom and your half marathon
story earlier, but she's supersupportive of my going off and
running absurdly long distancesbecause she'll watch a dog.
Like she'll or I need to go getin something.
She's been supportive of uscoaching always because she'll
watch the girls like whatever itis she's there to help provide
(38:47):
support and she does notunderstand what is involved in
running a hundred miles.
No, but she has sent a solidcongratulations every time I've
done it.
Yeah, because that.
That's the support that, thatshe's providing.
That's what makes sense.
Angie (38:58):
Yeah.
I, and my mom is the best.
I like, yes, I told that onestory, but again, I take
responsibility for notcommunicating with her on how
important that it was for her tobe there.
And I also maybe didn't realizehow important it was until
afterwards.
I think that was a big part ofit too, is that I didn't realize
it until at the end when I waslike, or maybe even afterwards.
(39:20):
I don't remember exactly when,but.
then I realized oh, I wish mymom was here.
Kevin (39:25):
Yeah.
I remember shortly after youcrossed the finish line, it
seemed weird that your momwasn't there Yeah.
For that accomplishment.
But it didn't occur to youbeforehand that, that you wanted
her
Angie (39:35):
to I think that also that's.
Proof of asking for what youwant to, I think I didn't wanna
ask her and inconvenience herbecause it would've required her
to wake up at five or 6:00 AMYep.
And drive.
And to see me one or two timeslike that to me, was a big ask.
And I did realize afterwardsthat it was important to me and
I should have asked, And I thinkthat's where we can sometimes.
(40:00):
Grow like that would be an areaof growth, is really asking for
the things that are important toyou.
And I think that's.
a good thing.
Kevin (40:07):
Excellent.
Alright.
Another way to cultivateteamwork is simply to show up.
Because your presence matters.
We talked about this in terms ofteammates showing up for
practice.
The more people we have, themore likely we are to have
everybody.
As soon as you lose one or two,you're more likely to lose
three, four, and five.
Yeah.
it's just more likely thathappens with everybody.
If.
We are doing dishes afterdinner.
(40:28):
If one person can't do it, thenthe next person becomes slightly
resentful that they're doing it,and then suddenly we're down to
that person is only barely doingit, and now two people are doing
most of the work.
it all just starts fallingapart, so show up and be part of
the team.
Angie (40:45):
Share your struggles as well as your successes.
And I think that being a part ofthe social media world, it often
feels like a major highlightreel.
And oftentimes we look on toother people's posts and
sometimes can feel bad aboutwhat we're doing or what's going
on in our life.
(41:05):
And so I think it's reallyimportant as to be a good
teammate.
We also have to share some theups and downs.
Like it's important for us toshare our wins for sure, because
your wins can help other people,inspire other people, and I
think it's also important for usto be real in those times where.
Things aren't going the greatestbecause then people understand
(41:25):
that they're not alone and thatthere's nothing wrong with them
when things are down.
And I think it's important forall of us to be better about
that.
I know that is something thathas been very hard for me, to
share my struggles openly,especially.
With being a presence of apersonality online.
Like I'm not a major influencerat this point.
(41:47):
I don't have hundreds ofthousands of followers or
anything like that.
And at the same time, I do thinkthat it is important for me,
hold on.
I should go back and say I, I'mnot, that, I don't have that
many followers.
and at the same time, I.
Care about my reputation, right?
I care about what other peoplethink about me because I do want
(42:08):
to share my expertise and I wantpeople to trust me.
I want people to know that Iknow what I'm talking about.
And sometimes I feel that if Ishare too many of my struggles,
because obviously nobody wantsto be dumped on, but if I share
too many of the struggles, thenpeople will be like, this girl
has no idea what she's doing,when in reality.
(42:28):
Me showing my struggles is goingto show you that I'm a real
human being too, and that eventhough I am an expert and I do
absolutely know what I'm talkingabout, me as a person and me as
a runner, I can still experiencethose struggles as well.
Kevin (42:43):
Yeah.
sharing the struggles, I thinkjust it brings the team closer
together.
It allows the, whatever teamunit you're looking at, unite.
Like they unify if people canshare ups and downs.
Yeah.
'cause
Angie (42:57):
you don't wanna just share the struggles either.
Kevin (42:59):
you have the ups and.
On, on, following any crosscountry race.
Some people on the team aregoing to have big success
stories.
Other people are gonna be like,that was a terrible race for me.
And it all kind of balances.
And it's not a matter ofcomparison.
It's not being like, oh, thatperson had a good race, so that
was a good day for them and thatperson had a bad race.
And that was a struggle.
And that doesn't balance, butthe struggles of one person can
(43:21):
be that person's lessons, butthey can also be the lessons for
the whole team.
The success of one person couldthen lead to a lesson to
somebody else.
It's hard to learn a lot oflessons off of your own
victories, but you can learn alot of off of somebody else's
victories.
It's easy to learn off of yourown struggles, but you can learn
just as much off of somebodyelse's struggles, and then maybe
(43:41):
you don't have to experiencethose.
So to be able to share thehighs.
And the lows with the whole restof your teammate.
It unites the teammate.
It creates a stronger team, andit allows lessons to be learned
even faster.
So that's why I thinkcelebrating the high,
celebrating the low, celebrateit all because it's real and it
brings the team closer together.
But you also learn faster andget to more success.
Angie (44:04):
Yeah, absolutely.
And then as always, celebrateyour wins.
celebrate your wins, celebrateyour team wins.
And your wins can be anything.
It doesn't just have to be yourPRS or your personal best.
Every single Tuesday we meetwith our team on Zoom.
Every Tuesday at 11:00 AM wemeet on Zoom and the first 10 to
(44:25):
15 minutes of every single callis sharing wins.
And I, we always say, no win istoo small.
So some wins.
some people get on and theyshare that they ran their first
marathon or they ran theirpersonal best 5K ever.
Or they ran their longestdistance ever and other people
celebrate that.
They showed up this week thatthey made it to the team call
(44:49):
that they did their runyesterday even though they
didn't want to.
Or even though they only got in20 minutes and it was supposed
to be a 45 minute on thecalendar, or they got in one
round of strength training it,it's still a win.
And I think it's reallyimportant for us to start to
acknowledge more wins in ourlives because so many people.
(45:09):
Measure their success, in bycomparing where they are now to
where they want to be, to someideal future that they want to
be, or to some goal that theyhave set for themselves.
And they oftentimes don't lookback at how far they've come.
And it is so important for us todo that.
And that is going to be such agood way for you to cultivate
more teamwork in your own lifeas well.
(45:32):
So it, I really want you tounderstand that, teamwork is not
about.
Just being on a team of peoplethat you run with on a daily or
weekly basis.
It's about.
Taking your running experienceand connecting with other
runners or even non-runners andusing the wins, the ups, the
(45:53):
downs, in a way to continue togrow as a runner and as an
individual.
Kevin (45:58):
Yeah.
it's not about losing yourindividuality, it's about using
the benefits of those peoplearound you to improve as an
individual.
Okay.
your individual journey is.
a solo process, but it is soinfluenced by the people around
you.
And so create a giant, a niceteam around you.
(46:18):
Acknowledge that you have a goodteam around you and see what
that support network is, becausethat is so much of your real
life teammates.
Angie (46:27):
Amen.
So your challenge this week isto write down or just think
about who is on your team inrunning and in life, and also.
How can you be a better teammatethis week to whoever it is that
you want to reconnect with?
or how can you express gratitudeto someone on your team this
(46:49):
week or show up in a better waythan you have been?
Like?
I think it's important for us torealize sometimes we do go
through periods where we are.
Only focusing ourselves onourselves or focusing more on
ourselves, than we are on theother people in our lives.
So this is an opportunity to dosome self-reflection there too,
(47:09):
and figure out how you canbecome a better teammate.
And maybe that means asking forwhat you need.
Maybe that means not giving asmuch this week as you always do,
and asking other people on yourteam to step up and take some of
the.
Responsibilities off of yourplate.
I think that's also being a goodteammate because a good teammate
doesn't just do it all.
(47:29):
A good teammate asks her teamfor help also.
So reflect on that.
I'd love to hear your thoughtsand make sure that you join our
eight days of giveaways.
So you can join that on ouremail list,
over@realliferunners.com.
If you scroll all the way downto the bottom.
There's a section where you canput in your name and your email
address, I think, or actually Ithink it's just your email
(47:50):
address.
and that will put you on ouremail list.
So you'll get the rest of theemails in our eight days of
giveaways.
And you can also follow us overon Instagram at real life
runners and learn about what thetask is for every single day and
be entered to win the prize forthat day.
So as always, thanks for joiningus.
This has been The Real LifeRunners podcast, episode number
429.
(48:10):
Now get out there and run yourlife.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.