First Meet, Cross-Country?

Question

Okay I'm in tenth grade never ran before i got into high-school, but i joined cross-country. My first meet is 5 days from today, & i need major help on how to get prepared. I can already do 2-21/2 mile's for sure, meets are 3.1mile's. I really just need help on speed and the extra 1.1 or half a mile i need to succeed, speed is my main thing though, the reason alot of times why i stop after 21/2 is becuase my legs cramp or i feel a burning feeling in my stomach, OR I CANT GET MY BREATHING UNDER CONTROL, pleasepleaseplease helllllp (:.

i don't wanna be the reason my team looose, hahaha.

Answer 1

I just had my first cross country meet yesterday, I bet you'll do fine. I was so nervous, but it really wasn't that bad. Just run for yourself to get your personal record. When your running, pick out a person in front of you to catch up to. Once you pass them, pick someone else out. Just keep breathing and telling yourself it's only 3.1 miles, if you stopped in the middle of the race, what would that do for you? Focus on running the entire race, even if you have to slow down, just don't walk. It will only hurt worse to start running again if you walk.

To help with the breathing, breath in through your mouth and out through your mouth. This will get you more oxygen faster. Take deep breath, instead of really short fast ones. Stretch and warm up before the race, and don't eat anything really heavy or hard to digest before the race. If your hungry the hour before the race, eat a banana. Bananas help prevent side stitches. Good luck! :)

Answer 2

just calm down

you will do fine

good luck!

Answer 3

eat pasta!!!! ima have my first race soon too. and just be glad that in ur first EVER crosscountry meet u dont have to run through thigh deep water like me. so when u feel pain jus think about how much harder it would have been to run through water.

Answer 4

before you even worry about speed you should worry about base training so if you cant even run 3.1 miles by now your just going to just have to focus on running the entire course.

Answer 5

don't worry about a thing. you'll do GREAT.(:

just don't drink a whole bunch of water before you run. only take a few little sips. make sure you don't eat cookies,brownies,cake or candy. eat a lot of whole grain things and baked snacks instead of fried.[baked cheetos,chips etc.] and pace yourself!

most importantly,

have fun!

you'll do fine so don't worry at all

xoxo

sam♥

Answer 6

i just joined cross country this year too! to make sure you can make it though the whole ran pace your self, slow down a little on the first 2 miles so you can make it though the last mile.

Answer 7

first of all relax! its your very first meet, nobody expects you to break a world record!

this week focus on running a little farther without stopping.

the problem with your stomach probably has to do with what your eating. make sure you eat healthy during the season. if your race is in the morning have a peanut butter bagel or sandwich 3 hours before you run. if its in the afternoon maybe eat something small a couple hours before.

as for your breathing, just try to relax and get a rhythm going. and remember it is ok to be out of breath! if your really having problems you may have Asama and should go to a doctor to get an inhaler. it has worked wonders for a lot of people!!

remember your not the only first year runner competing and EVERYBODYS nervous! just relax, run your race and have fun! good luck!