What can I Expect?

Question

I'll be running XC in college next year and I am going to start training to improve as soon as the snow leaves, but I am curious about what to expect. Do not get my wrong, I know everything will increase, mileage, workout lengths, racing distances. I know a lot about XC and all it entails. However I am trying to get a better idea of how much I wil be running. Please only smart college runners answer or something who has recently ran in college. Also I will be running at a Division 2 school. Thanks

Answer 1

I ran XC in college and high school.

If you ran in high school, its about the same, just more intense, and with my coach there was much more emphasis on personal responsibility. So our weekly running goals would be spelled out, but you were expected to get in a lot of the running on your own time or with groups of friends. If you couldnt get in the miles and your times sucked, too bad you're off the team.

Also during the meets, people were much more cut throat. Expect lots of nasty competition, especially in the woods where the refs cant see. Things like tripping, blocking, pushing, etc. It gets pretty physical, and I heard the boys teams were worse.