A Lesson Learned from the Ragnar Relay Race

Today I want to reflect on a lesson I learned a few weekends back from an event I participated in. The event was called the Ragnar Relay, and every team member is expected to run 3 different routes, 14 miles total, one at a time and in sequence. This means that the team always has someone running, at all hours of the day and night, to accomplish the task.

Not only is it a very difficult physical test, but it was a great demonstration of teamwork and camaraderie. My buddy Bobby organized the event and made sure everyone was comfortable with the flow and expectations for it. My girlfriend, Irene, kept track of everyone’s projected running times and woke up multiple times in the middle of the night to make sure no one missed their “shift”. And we all shared notes about the routes we had already ran to prepare others for their upcoming run with a little more fatigue.

The accomplishment of finishing was spectacular. Knowing that we all were working together, toward the same goal, and doing what was required of us at any time of day was a special experience. I would not have been able to go as fast, or even complete the different running routes at all had it not been for the accountability, motivation, and well wishes of my teammates.

I say this all the time but I’ll say it again. We are better when we’re working together.  Whatever team you’re on, whether it’s at work, playing sports, or in a relationship, ask yourself how could you be a better teammate?