I'm overweight, but I really want to join Cross Country.?

Question

All my life, I have hating running. However, I've been determined to lose weight since the beginning of the year, so I started running right before summer. It wasn't much, but it was a good pace for me. I also kind of enjoyed it. I had a good feeling after the jog/run, and it gave me the opportunity to listen to my music without interruption.

Lately, I've stopped my running routine due to a long-term guest and vacations. I'm starting back up with she leaves, which will give me about 21 days to prepare for XC season. I will be a sophomore in high school.

My problem is that I have a terrible endurance, and I'm terrified that my weight will hold me back. I hate it when people watch me exercise and I get really self-conscious.

Also, I'm worried the coach won't cut any sort of slack to my beginner status and make me run tons of miles when I simply can't (yet).

Should I try out for XC? Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Advice?

Answer 1

no.

Answer 2

Run by yourself for the rest of this year. If you were really determined you would have run whether you had a guest or not.

Answer 3

Brian, you must be a smart kid.

Anyway, I believe that you should definitely begin running ASAP! The longer you stay away from it the easier it will be to quit running all together.

Personally, when I quit training I feel sick about it.

I'm an ambitious guy and so I can understand why you want to get on the XC team this year, If I was in your shoes, however, I would set up my own routine for the remainder of your senior year in highschool and think seriously about joining the XC team in University, or at least trying out.

I would set my mind on running/jogging about 10 K a week for your first month back and 15k/wk the second month, 20 the next ect...this will give you ample time to settle into and get used to the amount of running you are doing.

This time next year, if you are faithful, you'll be doing 50 - 70 k/wk which is just average for a University XC runner.

For the winter months I would suggest running on a Tread mill in a gym where you can easily guage how fast and far you are running each day. The exposure in the gym will also help you lose that self-concious nature that wears on you at times and may also get you introduced to different activities that will help you get fit such as a bit of light weight training or even swimming.

I would aim for running in a University XC team by the beginning of your second year...if you can do this you should feel extremely proud!

Hope this helped!

Matt

Answer 4

I think you definitely should join Cross Country. Before Cross Country starts, just try to get outside everyday (or as much as possible) and just do an easy run for a half hour (or more). When Cross Country starts, you'll be in at least in decent shape. You can tell your coach that this is your first year of Cross Country, and you're going to try to do your best.

Answer 5

If you really want to join then go ahead, you're there voluntarily, if the coach treats you badly, you can just quit.

Answer 6

Join cross country and just stick with it.  I doubt your coach is going to be mean to you.

When I was in high school, there was kid who had what we thought was a mild case of CP or something.  Sure enough, his freshman year he was out there with his unorthodox form and trailing the pack every run and every practice but he was out there every time working his hardest.  Wouldn't you know it, by his Junior year, he was one of the quicker people out there.  He couldn't run that fast, but he could run forever.

Join XC.  Your endurance will get better, your weight will go down, and I bet you'll have a lot of fun too.

Answer 7

of course you should join cross country....  expecially if running gives you a good feeling.  anyone who is new when they start cross country is going to have some endurance problems.  thats what practices are for.....  as you practice you build up to be able to run longer.  how long has the cross country coach been coaching.  a good, experianced coach knows that not everyone can just run and keep running forever.  dont worry.....  a good coach will never try and put you through something they know you cant do.... but they will challenge you.  thats how you get better.  i run cross country, and my coach puts us into groups according to how far and fast we can run, then we go out, run, and have a great time.  your coach may do the same thing, and then you will get to run with people who are in the same situation as you.  Remember, anyone can run, and differnt types of people are always runnning.  im sure you'll find someone who you can run with, and im sure that you'll have a great time!!!!!  you can do it!!!!!!!!!!  good luck in cross country!!!!!  you dont have to be the fastest, cross country is a personal develpoment sport.  run to make yourself better!!!!!!!

Answer 8

All I can say is, never give up. Never give in. Never let anyone or any social norm tell you you can't do something.

Go for it. Prove them wrong.

If you're able to run, you can outrun them all.

Answer 9

Start out by jogging one minute, walking the next and repeating. Your fitness should start to improve and you'll loose some weight. When you feel comfortable with that try doing 2 mins running, 1 minute walking, 1 minute running, 1 minute walking and repeating. Continue changing the time between running and walking until you can run the whole time.

Answer 10

I think you should go for it =] It will be very hard starting out, but eventually you will get into shape. For the next 21 days, make a workout routine and try to work out at least 5-6 days a week. Start out small, like jogging for 20 mins, then work your way up to like 45 mins before you start in school. As long as you're willing to work hard, you should be fine.

When I was in highschool I started out as the worst on my team, but I made varsity after a year, and you can too as long as you stay motivated and work hard!

And it is a lot of fun, it's not just running and feeling miserable, it always turns into something fun.