So sorry about this, she's obviously in a really tough place. She seems like such a free-spirited, endearing, generous person (I think back to last year's USAs, when she was asking her fans for THEIR autographs when they approached her). But obviously there's a dark side there too. Hopefully by next year, we'll still have everything that's great and unique about her, but she'll be free from whatever she's suffering through now.
Some of the most celebrated beautiful souls have had demons that they wrestled with. I think it can be a life long struggle with a lot of ups and downs. I get the sense that she is a person who gives 1000% to what matters to her. I hope she does not beat herself up for not having it yesterday. She is still a great runner, and she seems like a true awesome person.
They say comparison is the death of joy, and competitive sports is probably the hardest example of that - comparison to personal standards, to competitors, and to expectations set by others. The people at the top of this sport have achieved so much at a young age and hold themselves up to a level that is impossible to maintain constantly. The human body is not designed to allow perfection all the time - we will all fail. Most people figure that out but sometimes, you get a person who just refuses to accept it and they break down, sometimes in the worst way. I hope Krissy finds a way towards acceptance of her fallibility and gets the help she needs to move past whatever it is she is going through. Her life is worth so much more than stupid medals or a sponsorship.
I know these are just athletes to us, people we can speak about as if they're not real human beings with issues and failings of their own, but please try to think about Krissy's post before you hit send on a post that is unnecessarily harsh or cruel to them. You never know what someone is going through, and those people actually read these boards and take the words to heart. Krissy's pain feels more personal to me than it would have before. I lost one of my closest friends to suicide this year. She appeared to have it all - a huge group of friends, perfect marriage and kids, published author, a moderately upper middle class life, and an ideal physical type that most people were envious of - nearly 6', blonde, thin, and a beauty that allowed her to date several professional athletes. She was always a bit erratic in her behavior, but it was more a quirkiness than anything seriously wrong (she was an artist and wasn't ever going to be the woman who worked in an office - so a bit flighty, new age-ish, goofy beach girl type). Out of the blue, she decided to leave her marriage, her husband kept primary custody of the kids and within months, she was hospitalized for trying to harm herself. Once released, she went rapidly downhill, cut her longtime friends out of her life, and about three months ago, she killed herself. Her mother told me that it hurt her to say, but it was almost a relief. Watching her vibrant daughter deteriorate so quickly was killing her and the rest of her family too. I had no idea it was that bad, or I would have tried to help. I'll never fully get past knowing that my beautiful, sweet and gentle friend - someone who loved being a wife and mom more than anything - could check out like she did without saying goodbye to so many of us who loved her.
So, please, again, this may just be a sport to us, but the sport is filled with athletes who are real people. If you have some empathy to lean on, tap into it before writing something like, "Krissy sucks and she can't handle knowing she'll never be better than her peers" - think about why you need to put that out into the world.
I think she's one of the kids that just does so well when things are lighthearted and fun. She gets to the big one and it's all business and I think that hit her hard after the first lap. Spends a lap or two trying to shake it off and focus but ultimately that probably added to the panic. Feel bad for her and hope she is back in 4 years. I hope she is okay.
Her IG post just before this last one sounds like she has found a lot more happiness and does not need running as much for fulfillment. She is re-evaluating why she still wants to do this. That alone is enough. Being a pro steeplechaser sounds grueling. You would need to be fueled with a drive from somewhere. It sounds like she has actually done a lot of healing, and as a result is not feeling as much fire to run so hard. I see that as a good thing. Maybe she will find a different reason and be back with all of her running talent. I have a feeling that Krissy Gear is talented in a lot more things than running, and if she decides she is done with this she will be shining somewhere else. I am far less worried after reading the other IG post by her. The previous post on this thread that mentioned her having a black page really freaked me out. I don't think she is in that kind of space right now.
she just left a worrying message on Instagram. she simply quit the race. I've been saying all week she didn't seem to be there mentally. hope she gets some help. maybe a long break from running will do her good.
She needs to either go all in 100% or it's over. She seemed kinda different. Not sure how badly she wants to be pro runner. T&F is so competitive now in US. You have to be mentally tough with resolve. She can do it. Shacarri came back laser focused and a totally a different person.
she just left a worrying message on Instagram. she simply quit the race. I've been saying all week she didn't seem to be there mentally. hope she gets some help. maybe a long break from running will do her good.
She needs to either go all in 100% or it's over. She seemed kinda different. Not sure how badly she wants to be pro runner. T&F is so competitive now in US. You have to be mentally tough with resolve. She can do it. Shacarri came back laser focused and a totally a different person.
In a podcast that talked about her trials build, she said when she graduated Arkansas, she didn't really care if she became a pro runner. She said she basically only did it because she got a sponsor with a training group. I don't think she is all in. She honestly might be happier NOT running professionally. In the podcast, the joy in her voice talking about her volunteer work and wanting to have a career in the police force to make a difference in the world was a stark contrast to her speaking about running. She also said her goal with running is to get stronger and go back to the 1500. She does not like steeple - was only doing it because it was an easier route to making teams. Also she was very sad about Culpepper leaving as he "recruited" her. I wish her the best.
She needs to either go all in 100% or it's over. She seemed kinda different. Not sure how badly she wants to be pro runner. T&F is so competitive now in US. You have to be mentally tough with resolve. She can do it. Shacarri came back laser focused and a totally a different person.
In a podcast that talked about her trials build, she said when she graduated Arkansas, she didn't really care if she became a pro runner. She said she basically only did it because she got a sponsor with a training group. I don't think she is all in. She honestly might be happier NOT running professionally. In the podcast, the joy in her voice talking about her volunteer work and wanting to have a career in the police force to make a difference in the world was a stark contrast to her speaking about running. She also said her goal with running is to get stronger and go back to the 1500. She does not like steeple - was only doing it because it was an easier route to making teams. Also she was very sad about Culpepper leaving as he "recruited" her. I wish her the best.
I do believe she's done with the steeple. she said it was NAZ Elite who wanted her to give it a try and after winning trials last year it cemented her as a long term steeplechaser, which I don't think she wanted. she's always been a miler. when she does return to running expect to see her running 1500's.
My twin brother (who passed away last week) was on the track when Kathy Ormsby ran by. He regrets not following her and was distressed upon hearing the event.
I hope Ms Gear is ok and that remember how challenging the sport can be.
Very sorry to hear about your brother. Wishing you peace during this difficult time.
Yes, Kathy Ormsby had been a top collegiate runner in 1986 when she snapped. See 'And Then She Just Disappeared' - Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com. When I read the story about Gear today this was the kind of thing I worried about.
As many of you know, there is a classic book about these things called "The Silence of Great Distance: Women Running Long" by Frank Murphy. Some of the runners in the book were at Wisconsin. Ironically, the book came out before the great Suzy Favor Hamilton started her infamous meltdown.
I was at Penn Relays the year Arkansas and NC State battled in the 4x1500. It was an epic duel between anchors Krissy Gear and Katelyn Tuohy. Gear refused to let Tuohy get the best of her and pulled out the win for the Razorbacks. Later, as she was cooling down, I yelled "Hey, Arkansas. Great anchor!" from the stands. Gear looked up, smiled and said "Thank you." I've been a Krissy Gear fan ever since and I hope she's okay. She's tough as hell and great for the sport.
