Running help?

Question

I play soccer and run track and am considering running cross country next school year. However, i'm concerned that running cross country will cause me to lose my speed when I do track again. Is this true and if it is what can I do about it?Any help is appreciated.Thanks

Answer 1

I hate it whenever I read about ppl thinking that Cross-Country will hurt their speed....IT IS NOT TRUE!!!!! I too ran Track and Cross-Country, but I ran distance in Track.....I had a few friends though, that ran the 100,200,400 meters and the relays, and on top of that, they ran X-Country too.......What Cross-Country will give u is ENDURANCE and STAMINA! True, the mechanics u use for short distance in Track are wayyy different than X-Country, but that is the beauty of it: the versatility u will gain as an athlete to tackle any kind of physical test! Whether it be a sprint, or a good 'ol mile! Just one thing.....If u do X-Country, and I hope u do....Do the workout ur Coach gives u, let's say, he tells u guys that u will run 5 miles that day....Well, when u come back from ur run, do maybe 4 quick 100 meter sprints.....Not only will that keep ur muscles still warm after ur long run, but it will also better ur "last kick" for a future X-Country race, and to top it off, u are still getting the practice and benefits of Sprinting for when Track rolls around in the Spring......Just make sure that u stretch and cool-down with a lap around the track, before u go home...It will prevent injuries.......So go for it! Do X-Country also......It won't hurt u in any way, if anything, it will give u a wayyy better edge against ur rival runners, since u will have the speed of a sprinter, but also, the endurance and stamina of a distance runner!!! And with the strength that X-Country gives u, u will be able to keep ur sprint more solid, lasting, and most of all, you will better ur clock time!!!! Good luck!!!!

Answer 2

Well I think the answer to this question depends on whether you have a good coach or not. If he is good, by the end of the cross country season he will make you do sprints to improve your speed. But if you have a very unknowledgable coach he will just want you to work on your endurance. I suppose that is good in some aspects, but that is not what your are looking for.

Answer 3

Well yes this is absolutely true because cross country is great and gets you exercised but when you are a sprinter it can hurt your speed because when you are in cross country they teach you how to manage your speed and how to breath and it is all about how to run longer rather than faster!!
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Answer 4

C'mon Melissa, xc will HELP you in both track and soccer. Your endurance and recovery times will improve dramatically. A pro soccer player can run 6 miles in a match, granted most of it shorter sprints. And adding xc to your program will give you dramatic recovery, thereby making you a better player.

Likewise in track, the quicker you recover the better your next run.

Good Luck

Answer 5

if you run the 100 meters there is now reason for you to run cross country. but if you run 400 meters and up then cross country is ideal. you will not necessarily lose speed but your endurance will sky rocket who knows you could be running the 800 meter at state.

Answer 6

lol.....whilst my dad's away and cannot choose me up and i am approximately to overlook the bus (which might actually imply me having to take an hour lengthy stroll again dwelling as there don't seem to be some other shipping amenities in which i are living!!)