Running on a cross country team!?

Question

i am thinking about running on my schools cross country team that starts this august.. the only problem is i can only run a half of a mile right now without stopping! i plan on running everyday until then! how far will i be able to run by then if i start tomorrow? oh and what are some tips on breathing, strength, and duarability while running?

Answer 1

if you want to get in shape, you should gradually build up your endurance and mileage. run for 2 minutes, walk for a minute many times until you can run continuously. Once you can do that, run a little more everyday. 1 mile one day,1.5 half the next. Or if you dont know distance just focus on time, run for 10 min straight and keep adding time. if you can eventually run for 30 minutes straight, you'll be in decent shape by the start of xc. add in some hill repeats at some point, when the season gets closer. dont run everyday if you're sore or feel tired out.

take sips of water a lot, even when you're not thirsty. dont run for an hour after a snack and 3 hours after a meal. just try to keep a steady breathing pattern. make sure to stretch before and after. your endurance should gradually improve. running is a great sport.

good luck!

Answer 2

First, great choice on deciding to join cc. Since u r just starting i would do a month of solid endurance training. Easy long runs with ab workouts to strength ur endurance. After this period is over start doing interval training until cross country. If possible try to get into the gym to do some lifting and once a week to give your legs a rest from running try to swim or bike. With this said you will be able to run at least 3 miles without stopping. Good  Luck

Answer 3

Good choice with cross country! It is such a great sport for so many reasons. I did fall cross country this past fall in my school and although I'm not an amazing runner -- I still had a lot of fun, and improved so much beyond belief in the areas of running and running endurance!

I am not a great runner, but all I can tell you is that even though I was probably second to last finishing in every cross country meet, at the end of the season -- I was able to look back on the whole entire XC experience (my first one I might add) and be able to say that I tried my hardest, never gave up, and completed it with as much pride and dignity as I could ever put into something, and hey... that in itself is a great thing :)

Some tips on breathing are breath IN through your nose and OUT through your mouth! Take long strides with your legs when you're running (you'll get to your final destination faster if you take BIGGER and LONGER strides!) Also, pump your arms by your sides at 90 degree angles without having them cross in front of your body. Look straight ahead, and when you're running your race... keep your head focused on the opponent in front of you and feel their running stride and ability -- and sooner or later you will connect to their same running endurance level.

I wish you so much luck with this! I really hope you do join cross country. It is an amazing sport, and I guarantee you'll have the time of your life! Running can be a tough one -- but when the season is over... you'll be able to look back on it and say that you gave it your all ;)

Answer 4

You should totally join cross country! It is an amazing sport! And don't worry about not having any running expierience, when I started freshman year, the most I had ever run was like 2 miles. The coaches will help you to gradually build up your endurance.

Make sure you drink TONS of water and have fun!

Answer 5

This is what I think you should do.

                                 ~Training Dates and Time~                   Run 4-5 days a week, 1-3 mile(s). You don't want to over run. It could work against you and let you get a stress fracture, and if serious death.