Peer pressure: Pros and cons of running in a relay race

Being in a team can often elevate the performance of an individual to heights never achieved before, writes

Laura Dorgan

FOR the most part, athletics or track and field events, such as race running, see participants compete as individuals, rather than as part of a team.

Because a full marathon is run over an arduous 26.2 miles, not everyone is capable of completing such a mammoth distance on their own. That’s why the relay is such a wonderful alternative, allowing people to participate in an exciting event and at the same time experiencing all the benefits that come with belonging to a team.

How to train as part of a relay team

A team is a group of people competing as one unit to achieve the same objective. Everyone is different and everyone has strengths and weaknesses and competing as a team helps people pool their best attributes together in order to maximise the performance of the team.

Some people may be better at running on flat terrain, others are more powerful going up hills, whereas speedy people are able to move their feet fast enough to withstand downhill slopes. Therefore, dividing the race up helps people to put their best foot forward.

Not only that, mindset often plays a big role in performance and some people can really excel on hearing an enthusiastic compliment from a fellow teammate or friend whom they respect, helping to enhance their performance.

Sometimes, things may not go to plan and a few words of encouragement often go a long way, elevating the performance of an individual to heights never achieved before.

Everyone is aware that the success depends on each other working together as a unit. Yes, to a certain extent there is an individual element to a team event, you must get yourself in order; your mindset, your preparation and your performance have to meet certain standards, without which the team won’t succeed.

Yes, when you are running, it is about you, how you are feeling, your pace, etc, but as soon as your run is complete, it’s all about being a team player and doing what’s in the best interest of the team as a whole. This is a fantastic skill to learn and it can be brought into all areas of your life, whether it be team building in sport, the workplace etc.

Remember, committing to a race is one thing, but committing to other people who are using up their free time is a huge responsibility, they are trusting in you to give it your best shot!

However, as the old saying goes, “there is no ‘I’ or ‘me’ in team”, and in a great team there is no individual greater than the team. Some people can be just as competitive within a team and want to be the star of the show, even if it is to the detriment of the team.

Just like individuals, teams will experience highs and lows along the way which may require some straight talking in order to get things in order. Understand that this is often not personal and being able to take constructive criticism can help you grow by shedding light and giving you the opportunity for improvement.

The importance of training with friends

Training with a friend keeps you more accountable. Sometimes, finding the motivation to stay focused on exercise can be harder than the event itself, requiring stern discipline, and it can be easy to lose sight of the end goal. If you feel close to giving up training with friends can be all the more important, because they can help build your motivation again. There is every chance they are feeling the same way, or are having similar problems. Sharing these thoughts with friends, especially on tough or damp days when sitting at home seems a better option, can help you to refocus and stay committed to achieving your goals, regardless of how far away they may seem.

Some people on your team may have more experience of relay races and they can draw on their experiences to help you get over whatever hiccups may fall your way.

Committing in advance to days and times to train with friends helps you stay focused. Naturally, we don’t like to let other people down, so you are far more likely to turn up for a training session rather than make an excuse if you have someone counting on you, especially if it’s a friend.

Challenges among friends can help you to push each other and stretch your limits. Oftentimes, it is the bond built up over the weeks and months of training which can be more rewarding than the race itself.

What happens when one wants to walk and another wants to run?

Don’t be embarrassed to walk. It may be called a ‘race’, but it’s only as competitive as you or your team make it. Certain steep hills along the course can be practically impossible to get up without walking. Often, breaking up your leg of the relay into walking, jogging, and running intervals might be the way to go and it may actually increase your time rather than running your whole section at a mundane pace. It’s important to know what works for each individual and discussing this with your teammates before the race should assuage any fears you have of walking.

Even if you feel full of energy at the beginning, it’s essential to pace yourself in order to conserve enough energy to see out your leg. It would be far better to complete your section by incorporating a walk rather than burning yourself out and not completing it at all.