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With a big race on the horizon, you have a couple options to get race-ready. Whether it’s a 10k, a marathon or a triathlon, training groups have popped up and are popular ways to meet new people and get yourself to the finish line. There are pros and cons to training with a group and training solo; find out which is the best option for you.
Benefits of training with a team
1. Get Motivated
If you aren’t a particularly self-motivated athlete, running with a big group can help you stick to your training schedule. Knowing that you have calendar appointments with teammates will make you less likely to skip that early morning run on the weekends. Michele Udin, a two-time half marathon runner decided to join Team in Training as she made the jump to the NYC marathon. “I saw how much time and dedication it took to get me to 13.1 miles and I knew I needed a little more motivation and guidance to prepare for 26.2. With TNT I have awesome coaches and inspirational teammates; it’s a huge help getting me ready for the race in November” explains Michele.
2. Make New Friends
And speaking of teammates, training with a team is an excellent way to meet people with similar interests and health and fitness goals. If you get lonely on long runs, having new friends to chat with will keep you entertained and moving along. Sure, maybe you have a million friends already, but will any of those friends run 20 miles with you at 7:00 am on Saturday? Perhaps not, but by joining a training team you’ve got a built-in group of fitness-focused buddies.
3. Stay Safe & Learn
If you’re training for a race more complex than running, like a triathlon, and you’re a first-timer, you should strongly consider training with a team or coaches to gain knowledge about the sport. Safety is a big part of triathlons; whether you’re new to swimming in open water, or you’ve never ridden a bike in a race situation, having a coach and teammates to guide you will make a huge difference. Coaches can also help you with proper technique and race-day nutrition; which can make or break your race.
4. Do Good As You Train
Training for a race is great for your health, and if you want to do good for others at the same time, look for a charity team. Finding a cause that you can connect with will make you more focused on your fundraising goals and your eventual race.
Considerations for training with a team
While there are lots of benefits to training with a team, there are a few considerations that may make solo training a better fit for you.
Can you find the time?
A big issue that arises with group training is being able to make the time for team workouts. If you have an unpredictable work schedule, travel often or live far from where your group trains, it may be easier to train alone. Team workouts also tend to take more time than working out by yourself. In addition to the time you actually spend working out, you’ll typically receive advice or lectures from coaches, nutritionists and experienced athletes, which is great to help you gain knowledge as you prep for your race, but if you’re on a tight schedule, you may not be able to dedicate the necessary amount of time needed to train with a group.
If you decide training with a team is in your future, check out upcoming races and the teams that prep for each. If solo training is more your speed, be sure to make yourself a training plan to stay on track.
The post Train with a team or train solo: What’s best? appeared first on Girls Gone Sporty.