Decent 3 mile XC time for first meet?

Question

I'm a freshman and I just started running cross-country. We run 3.0 miles, not 5k like most schools. I was wondering what a decent time would be for the first meet. It's on September 4th, I'll have only been training about 3 weeks by then.

Answer 1

Times vary from one course to another.  Look at times from other races on that course, see what other freshmen did last year.

Answer 2

It really depends on how much training you have been doing and what your current level of fitness is.  An average freshman should be able to run between 19 (6.20/mile) to 22 (7.20/mile) minutes for a 3 mile race.  The first race go out and run the best you can. Use  the 2/3 rule.  which means run the first 2-miles at a challenging pace that you can hold. The really push the pace and try to pass people in the last mile. Remember top 5 runners score so you want to cross the finish line before their fifth man.

Ran XC in hs and college

10 year so coaching HS xc and track in CA  

Answer 3

Those are all good answers, but it also depends on your gender. Good times for freshmen girls would probably be under 22 minutes, while for guys a good time would be under 18 minutes.

Answer 4

jt485 has the best answer!!! go with his:]

Answer 5

20 mins it good.

Answer 6

the extra .1 of a mile is about 30 seconds.  I'd say if you're a freshman any time around 20 minutes is a decent time.