Cross-Country running question?

Question

I'll be a high school sophomore next year, and I would really like to join my school's girls Cross Country team. This summer I have been running 2-3 miles a day for about 2 weeks so far. However, I'll be away on vacation for about a month and I don't know if I will be able to run where I am vacationing. I know it will probably be hard for me to run when I get back from vacation, and I was wondering what I can do to make it easier to start running again once I return. I was also wondering how much I should be training. I've never been on the cross country team before and I heard that they usually run around 3-5 miles. I can run three miles but I'm still not very fast yet. Is there anything I should be doing to improve my speed besides practice? Also, is it okay if I listen to music while I run? I'm pretty sure I won't be able to listen to my iPod during practices or anything, but will it be harder for me to run if I'm not listening to it? Thanks for your suggestions!

Answer 1

You should be able to run while on vacation. The best thing about running is all you need is a good pair of shoes. You can run anywhere in the world. You need to increase your mileage. If you are doing 2-3 miles start doing a longer day 2 times per week. Do not run 7 days per week, take off 1 day. What you heard about the team doing 3-5 miles is probably correct. Alternate days so that you do 2 days of 5 miles and do the other days of 3 miles. To improve your speed on 2 of the shorter days per week do tempo runs. That is you can put in fast sections where you run at race pace, or fast for 2 minutes and then run easy for 1 minute to recover and then run fast again. You can listen to music on the long easy days, but you should concentrate on your pace and training on the hard days. Once you are used to training you will not miss the music on the tempo days. Since you can run the 3 miles you will be able to run the hard days and the longer days as long as you recover and take off 1 day and do not run on that day. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and cool down and stretch after running.

Answer 2

Okay, well you have to commit to running if you want to be good, so on vacation make sure to bring running stuff in case you have spare time. Also if there is a pool where you are going where you could swim laps or if you have a bike you could bring, those are really good ways to keep fit and help with running. You will want to run longer the further into the summer you go, by the end you should be able to run 6 or 7 miles. So keep running 3 then maybe every other week go up a mile. The ipod thing, i don't think once you are with your team mates you will notice it gone. Best of luck with your new hobby!!

Answer 3

Any coach welcomes someone who is willing to try and give it their all. During a season, you will build your endurance and milage. if you're not able to run during the summer, you might not be the top dog and it will take you a few weeks to start getting into the groove of what cross country is about however it's still do-able. As far as music- if it motivates you now, great. During the season because you'll be running with other runners THAT will be your motivator. Do what you can, and give the team 100%. I'm sure you'll do great!

Answer 4

The first answer from lestermount was great. Read it all the way through and make a plan based on his response. ALSO...... tell the girls on the team that you want to join in the fall. They may do team runs during the summer where you can join in, learn techniques, make friends, have fun.

Keep this in mind: Running may be an indivdual activity, but Cross Country (and Track) are TEAM SPORTS! You will (must) learn to rely on your teammates for motivation, support, and friendship. In turn, you will learn to provide the same to them. You have such a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow and make friends. With those things, you will find running to be much more enjoyable and it WILL improve your performance.

Good luck! Work hard. And most imporant, have fun!!!

Answer 5

You should be able to run while on vacation...honestly that's when I run the most.

Focus on building up your mileage right now. Speed will come with being on the team and doing workouts. You want to build your base.

Music is fine but play it low. You want to be able to hear cars, bikes, etc...Also, years ago I read an article that loud music during exercise can harm the ear drum....couldn't find it for you though.

Answer 6

no matter where you'll stay there will be a place to run, a hotel w/ exercize room, the beach, the campground a temorary membership at a gym... just search the 'net before you go. just build your miles when you come back, start easy, and build up. do speed workouts, head to the track and do 400m or 800m sprints. it will probably be okay to listen to your iPod after the coach talks to you about the work out , just talk to him/her about their preferance, if they send you out on a long run, then probably take your iPod w/ you. although you can't use them in races, good luck

Answer 7

Just take your shoes and a pair of running shorts and you should be able to run. One of my favorite things about traveling is getting to run in new locations.

Yes, you probably need to increase your mileage to hang with the X-Country team. Use this summer to bring it up gradually. Don't worry about your pace right now. Your coach will have workouts for you this year that will speed up your pace. Just worry about getting the mileage in this summer and building your base cardio fitness.

Answer 8

One of the challenges runners face is motivation. How to keep your motivation up. If you want to be a great runner, then you have to set a schedule and keep it. You have to work hard. And you have to follow the good advice that you get. Its all about hard work.

Before the summer of my senior year, I worked hard and kept motivated. I really improved my performance and pulled the team up with me. So, go for it!!