Get Healthy as a Group: How to Train a Team for Your First Relay Race

When we think of running, most associate it with individualism and personal motivation. However, relay races are growing in popularity and allowing avid runners the chance to engage with others and be part of a team. Even marathons and half-marathons are now offering the chance to team up and allow relay teams to tackle segments of the race together. With the expectations other team members have, each one has the pressure of doing their best to support both themselves and the collective group, so it's important to take the time before your first relay to train. There are some tips you should employ to ensure you're ready on race day. Doubling Your Efforts This technique is especially helpful if the team will be relying on you to run more than once during the course of the relay. You may have little recovery time, so you should double your training efforts to prepare for this very real possibility. So, if you typically take a day off after a strenuous day of training, start by running on two consecutive days. Gradually incorporate more running time until you have the stamina for more than one run per day. Consider the Conditions While training in the comforts of a gym can be convenient, you must consider the actual conditions you'll be facing on the day of the race. For instance, if you'll be racing before the sun rises, get the team together for a pre-dawn practice session a few days per week. Also include running uphill if these conditions will be present to build proper endurance. This also allows you to consider necessary tools you'll need to succeed such as flashlights. Going the Distance As you train, keep the long leg of the race in mind. Depending on the distance covered, there are various ways to go about this. For example, if the long leg covers ten miles or less, work that distance regularly into your training. If it's longer than ten miles, you should take a more gradual approach to avoid injuries. A couple weeks before the big day, start running the entire distance to help you gauge your body before you find yourself in the moment. Set the Mood for the Team Is your team competitive and in it to win it? Or do you just want to have fun and have a common goal of finishing strong? This is important to understand so you can work on setting the right pace to succeed. Making sure your whole team is on the right page is crucial for creating a solid race plan. If morale is low, put in some effort towards reassuring everyone that you’re all in this together. Outfit your team in custom shirts by SKG to promote a sense of teamwork and unity. Plan a meet-up after the race for all of you to get together and celebrate your accomplishment—this will demonstrate your commitment to making sure everyone has fun and recognizes each other’s efforts. Practice makes perfect, and the best way to assure you and your team are fully prepared on race day is to have a clear and effective training regimen in place far ahead of time. The efforts made by each team member are crucial. By following these tips, you can be on your way to a race you can be proud of.