Run faster in Cross Country?

Question

I'm 12, and I have been running cross country for about a month. I am wondering how to improve my time of two miles (17:10)...I feel that I really slow because a lot of people run in 14 to 15 minutes and I really want to improve so I am just as fast and get into the better group. Any ideas on how to improve???

Answer 1

just make sure that you take advantage of the weekends, and other days off, that your teamates may not be running. run as much as possible, and always run like your in a race. push yourself harder and harder everyday. pick the next slowest person to you, and try to catch him, and then the next, and so forth. think of it like they are your opponents and just try to beat them. you could also do some speedwork on a track, with some mile repeats.

good luck.

Answer 2

It looks like you're doing something right! You've made a lot of progress for just 4 weeks. I agree: find someone who runs a pace just a bit faster than yours. Try and keep up with them, and soon you'll find you're running at their rate, or beating them. Also, take advantage of days you don't have practice to run, but be sure and get at least one rest day in. Good luck!

PS: 14-15 minutes for a 5k is very, very good. I'm amazed that guy has multiple people who can run that. At my school, a boy who runs about 17 minute 5ks went to state.  

Answer 3

i try to answer a lot of running questions and give tips to improve distance running. ive never said this to anyone before and i really dont mean it in a bad way, but i dont really think ure running the right event. where i live we run 5k (3.1 miles) xc and there are guys on my team alone that can run it faster than u can run the two miles. so im not saying give up running but see if ure better at something else.