Is it worse to be a slow runner on a cross-country team or not to be there at all?

Question

I'm going out for my second year of cross-country as a high school sophomore, but I only run because I enjoy it. I'm very short, and I am not even close to being the best runner on the team. I didn't make varsity, but I was still on the team last year and very much enjoyed myself despite not being a naturally fast runner. I was just wondering if it hurts my team's scores at all due to my slower times than if I wasn't on the team at all? I don't want to disadvantage my team just because I run slowly. If being slow is a disadvantage to my team, I may not even do cross-country at all. Thanks for any advice!

Answer 1

First of all, you know better if you ran last year. No one can hurt the team except with attitude problems. 1-5 score and 6-7 can displace. You've seen the examples above. The team my children run on have nearly 30 girls out and 20 boys. We have girls that run in the 18's and girls that run 25 min.or more. Girls 12-30 don't even sniff varsity, but they still come out and improve and sometimes eventually help the team. Last year we had 4 key girls get hurt and all of a sudden some of those girls that had no chance of helping out the team were thrown into the mix and ran well enough to get us to the state meet. If you like it, by all means do it and keep working as hard as you can and eventually you might help your team with your legs but even if you don't, help your team out with your leadership and experience. You will be a junior and senior someday and sometimes leadership  and attitude are bigger assets to the success of the team as how fast or slow you cover the course.

Answer 2

I was an open runner all my years of cross country; junior high and high school, and I loved running despite not being among the better half on my team. You're not bringing the team down for two reasons; the most important is that you love what you are doing and have a geniune drive to get out there to train and race when for a lot of people wouldn't even consider running our distances. The second reason is if you are not in the Top 7 you don't score for your team. It was a bitter pill to swallow when I realized I'd never be in the Top 7 but I saw it as a blessing. Instead of worrying about the team's outcome I could focus on my race and my race alone. Cross Country is a team sport but in the end, everyone races for themselves, no one but the individual can cross the finish line but themselves. Running slow is not a disadvantage to your team. If anything, this gives a sense of purpose to improve your training and time. Just don't give up. In your second year, you'll see improvement and gain confidence in running and yourself. Just be patient, run like you stole something and never get down on youself. Getting faster is the central goal but you have to 100% believe you will and are faster psychologically. Good Luck!

Answer 3

If you arent that good, i dont understand why you would want to be on XC to bring the team down. Try playing a different sport like soccer or basketball if you enjoy running. Maybe just run at home. No offence, but if you just enjoy running to run then maybe you should leave it to the big dogs.

Answer 4

it is not a disadvantage to your team and you are awesome that your just doing what you love

Answer 5

Don't quit!

No one is a naturally fast runner. Running is a sport where the amount of work that you put into it will equal your results.

Its okay to just run for fun!! there NOTHING wrong with that!!

Answer 6

This is my first year running cross country

and today was my first practice.

and I was one of last ones to finish

And i like running to even though i'm not that fast.

But if you enjoy doing it.

then just push yourself a little harder everytime you run

that way you won't feel like you have to quit.

:]

Answer 7

It may hurt your team's score a little bit if you get a really high place, but since you aren't on varsity or anything I  think you should keep running. Who knows, maybe if you train hard you will get better and become an asset to your team. I run competatively, but some of my friends just run on the team because they enjoy it, and to me there isn't a problem with that as long as you're trying your hardest.

Answer 8

no it does not hurt the team if your not fast. the fastest 5 people score.  and up to 7 can run varsity.

here is an example of a possible teams score....

person 1....... 5

person 2....... 9

person 3.......17

person 4.......19

person 5.......26(you)

person 6.......29

person 7.......33

TEAM SCORE..... 138

If you were not there the score might look like.....

person 1....... 5

person 2....... 9

person 3.......17

person 4.......19

person 5.......29

person 6.......33

person 7.......37

TEAM SCORE.....149

The lower your score the higher your team places.

so keep up the hard work snd go out for xc this fall!!!!

:)

Answer 9

If you enjoy running enough to join the xC team, I would continue to stick with. Besides you never know, some slow people drop their times. :) Good Luck

Answer 10

it doesnt hurt your team at all we had a pretty good team last year with one kid running around 32 minute 5ks. Only the fastest 7 runners on varsity realy matter, but the other 20 or so guys help make the team better some by motivating the varsity 7-5 runners to work harder so they dont lose there varsity spot to the jv guys and some just have a good attitude motivate people to try there hardest in practice or races or whatever. and you never know i wasnt fast freshmen year and now ive been varsity last 3 years so you can improve