I’ve heard someone tell me that they started running because they wanted to do something competitive after years of playing baseball. Likewise, this past weekend a trail runner told me that he started running after years of playing competitive football (those two sports usually don’t go hand in hand) to be competitive, but still missed the team aspect he got from football. I always think about running as an individual sport, me against myself, the course, and the other competitors. How I perform is up to me. No one else has anything to do with it. Maybe that’s why I enjoy being entrepreneurial. Entrepreneurial like a cheetah!
But what about running in a team? Like the trail runner, I also miss being on a team, like when I was on the strongest team I’ve ever been on, my platoon while being deployed to Iraq. Probably the strongest team ever put together. So I thought about how I can make running be a team sport too. Track and cross-country are both running team sports but they are mostly reserved for High School and College teams. I then started researching and came across this relay, Ekiden Trail Running Race, near Atlanta with the tagline: “It’s a relay race – It’s gonna be fun!” Sounds like a perfect way to enjoy competitive running while also being a part of a team; not to mention running on a trail! I think I’m going to have to look up local race results and make some phone calls…
Here are some benefits to running in on a team, relay or non-relay type:
Better Training: When you are on a team and training together, everyone is forced to run as fast as the fastest runner. During tempo runs and even training runs, the other runners on the team will try to keep up with the fastest runner no matter what, making the team faster as a whole. See, you can be a part of a team while still improving yourself. Trust me, there’s strength in numbers. Speaking of which, join the National Trail Running Day Facebook page.
Communication: You learn a lot about communication when on a running team. The batton hand off may be the most important aspect of running a relay and without communication it is often foiled. Do not go without hearing the word “go” or it can be detrimental to your team. Remeber, if you do not pass go, you will not collect 200 dollars. I own Boardwalk yo!
Accountability: I can’t say the word enough, accountability, accountability, accountability. I just did that so in a google search for “accountability” my name will come up. Running on a team holds you accountablein all aspects of your training. Unlike a running group keeping you accountable, the team relies on you, so everything you do or don’t do hurts them. Just showing up isn’t enough. Be a team player and be the face of accountability. You’ll look as cool as me.
Build Teamwork Skills: We all have to work in teams so any practice we can get is beneficial. Unless you are like me and have attained the highest level in teamworking ability possible; leadership too, I’ve been told I do both of those perfectly and never have to improve those skills again for the rest of my life. It’s pretty sweet. Being on a running team takes a lot of discipline which may create more difficult team dynamics than your kickball team. Weird. You have to make sure you keep everyone actively involved and training how they are suppose to. You may even have to leave a teammate behind if he/she can’t keep up, that’s the hardest thing to do as a teammate.
Social Skills: Being on a team is a great way to make friends and bring prior friends closer together. There is nothing better for building a relationship than having to rely on someone else. Just watch Maurey Povich and you’ll find all kinds of people in relationships just because they have become reliant on each other. Don’t over do it though, you’re still a runner and no one else can perform for you.
So join the team sport of running and experience a whole new aspect of running.