Can i sprint and do cross country?

Question

ok,

i do track& im a rlly good sprinter(i do 100s and 200s and 4x1s) and now that track season is over i was thinking about doing cross country. but one of my friends told me that its not good to do cross country and sprinting because cross country will slow me down once track season starts again.

i really want to do both but will cross country really slow me down?

i really need sum opinions

thnxx

Answer 1

At least you are around the sport but you are going to have to build the muscles involved in heel to toe running.  Sprinting requires you to run on your toes but in cross country you have to hit your heel to the ground and then transact to the toe.  Totally different muscles are used.  Also you will need to build endurance and lung capacity.  I would start with some easy long runs to build those things up.  This is surely possible because you do have some strength in your legs from sprinting.

Answer 2

It depends on what level you do it, most prbably not, but ask you're coach for advice and follow it, but it shouldn't affect it too much in itself as long as you keep them both balanced in fair proportion!

Answer 3

I went to state in cross country and foolishly thought I couldn't sprint, but had a state qualifying time in the 220, but I was a long distance guy and didn't run the 220 except in training--go for it!!!

Answer 4

do cross country just to stay in shape. not competetively

Answer 5

Cross country will not slow you down if you continue to do something at sprint speed once or twice each week.

Along with cross country training you should be lifting weights.

Then do strides probably 10x100 so that you keep the fast twitch muscles functioning.

The only problem with doing distance work is if you don't do any speed work; if you don't use a muscle system you will lose some of their abilities which would require longer training in pre track season to get back into fast running.