I already run about 2 miles a day, but I run alone. I don't really get along with people too well. My friend joined Cross Country and likes it, but I just don't know if this is right for me. I know sometimes in Track you have to jump over things, and you're on a team, but I'm not into that, really. What do you think?
2007-03-05 15:00:14 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Running
I would do both, since they're in different seasons. There's really different reasons to like both sports-cross country is a bit less boring, since you spend more time practicing outside of the track, which can get a bit dull after awhile, and the race is longer. Track, on the other hand, has a variety of events to try, from sprinting to distance to hurdles to pole vaulting, and practices are usually shorter than cross country practices.
I'm not a people person at all; my counselor says I'm anti-social. Despite that, I love cross country more than any sport I've ever done. There is something satisfying about slogging through mud during practice, and the variety in workouts is a lot of fun. Track is also fun, but in different ways. Give at least one-preferably both- a try, and see how you like it. Good luck!
2007-03-06 09:22:37 · answer #1 · answered by Aurelia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, how do you feel about running more than 2 miles? If you don't want to run more than that, you might not be able to do either. In Cross Country, Jr. High runs a 2 mile race, and in Senior High, they run 5K, which is 3.1 miles. To train for these races you have to run MORE than 2 miles to really be good, and you need to push yourself to keep improving. If you are just running for fitness, maybe that's all you are motivated to do.
Both sports are team sports, so if you don't care about people or can't get along with them, this will be a problem, unless your are REALLY GOOD. In cross country, your finish place scores points for the team, and the less points, the better, so you need to beat as many people on the other teams as you can to help your team. In Track, you score points also, 5 for first, 3 for second, 1 for third, and those points add up so that the highest total wins the meet. So here again, you need to try to beat people to help your team.
As I said earlier, if you're really good, and you're winning, then you'll be out ahead, and maybe it will be easy for you.
This came out pretty negative, but, perhaps you should go out for track right now (it is starting now) and maybe you will find that your people skills will improve, and you may enjoy people more than you might think. It can be a lot of fun to be part of a team!
2007-03-06 20:54:20 · answer #2 · answered by chustplayin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jumping over things is only the hurdles. There is middle/long distance running available (800m, 1 mile, 2 mile) usually track is in spring and XC is in the fall so you could do both. If it is a one or the other situation I would do track because XC is only one race while track you have a variety of options in order to find out what is right for you.
2007-03-05 23:13:55 · answer #3 · answered by irishrunner1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You sound like an independent runner so you'd probably enjoy XC. With XC it's you against the clock and not many teammates (if your good) around. If your competitive against others and have the drive to finish well on your own you'll thrive in XC. You'll need to work up to at least double the distance your running now to be sucessfull though. You'll learn the joys of training LSD (long slow distance) and fartlek's (interval training).
If you wanted to join track you could run the 800 or 1600 (mile). You would need to train long sprints for this and step up your running pace.
Hope this helps and good luck, it's very rewarding!
2007-03-06 01:52:38 · answer #4 · answered by elong 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a people-person either. Track may look like a team sport, but it's really not. I would say that it's an individual-team sport.
You do have to train with your teammates, but when it comes to the actual meet, you are by yourself and your performance depends on you alone. I ran track and found that it had a nice balance of companionship (when I wanted it) and alone time (when I needed it!).
I never ran XC, so I really can't tell you about that one....but give it a whirl if you are interested! You might like it. :-)
2007-03-06 14:02:34 · answer #5 · answered by YSIC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, if you want to feel like you're on a hampster wheel, you should go for track, track is more social, more spectators, I definately prefer cross country over track. It's very laid back.
2007-03-05 23:46:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
depends...track is more short-distance running, while cross country is for longer distances and is more of an endurance type of running...and in track you can pick the events you get involved in, so you don't have to run the hurdles events if you don't want to or its unnecessary
2007-03-05 23:07:13 · answer #7 · answered by sabes99 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
why not do both?
cross country is a fall sport, and track is done in the spring. lots of runners do both.
2007-03-06 08:46:11 · answer #8 · answered by Kutekymmee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋