The role of the second or support crew is often something that is severely underrated by many endurance athletes. They compete only along very selfish lines and don't take into account those that will help them be they volunteers or simply friends who offer up time to help out during training (which to be honest can be very lonely). These folks often also assume events just take place and they don't acknowledge all the volunteer assistance.
Having been on the giving and receiving ends of assistance in the past, I used to be very keen to help out a number of people. Slowly though one observes that there are those that you can trust to assist you back and those who will just take and never give back in any way shape or form. Now I still willingly give back to only a select group who I care about.
Yesterday I was able to spend some quality time encouraging a dear friend who is taking on the Ironman for the first time. It has been a pleasure to be part of their training and to see them flourish and become fitter and stronger than I've seen them. Success in training is in no part due solely to the second, but their presence I have found can often be the difference between wanting to get out and train and lying in bed on a cold wet day. As with the group mentality if I know that someone has agreed to come out and help me, I'm more inclined to get my butt out of bed and training.
Having a friendly face to see every now and then can also mean the world of difference.
Supporting your mates is a sure fire way to find out just who would be there for you in an emergency.
Running together (while supporting your mates), stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller
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