XC or Track? Opinions please?

Question

In highschool, I'm thinking about doing cross country or track, because I love to run. I'm a young girl who weighs an average of 105 pounds 5'4'', and I have some muscle in my legs. I'm not completeley sure which one I should do...

I know track has a veriety of events while XC is distance...

which one do you think I should do?

I tend to be less agressive, but very motivated in sports. I'm also a dancer, swimmer, and archer.

Do you have to try out?

What should I do to prepare?

Answer 1

since you are relatively short (this is just a guess) i would go with xc since it is not a detrement (possibly even an advantage over those 6'6" people). the only other thing i guess besides the difference in distance, is that xc is much more of a team sport and track is more individual. it really just depends what you want to do. in track you can try different events though (it doesn't even have to be running: high jump, javelin, long jump, etc.).

EDIT: you probably don't have to try out for either, but there is more of a chance for track.

if you decide to do xc, you just want to focus on building a "base" of endurance. try working your way up to 3-4 mile runs. only once you are this fast should you even remotely worry about speed.

if you do track, speed is more important, but you still need to work on distance some. if you can get to a track do 400m repeats (1 lap). try doing about 5 of these to start with maybe 3 minutes rest between. run at about 85% of how fast you would do 400m in a race. for the rest just do 1-2 mile runs to build endurance. occasionally go like 4 miles to build endurance (unless you are going a shorter distance than the mile). anyways, you won't believe how many 200, 400, and 800m repeats you do if you end up in track.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

try them all, and see what you like.

track and XC is the best sport

Answer 3

i think you should do xc because if you find a person that you can match or can match with in the near future you guys will be able to have friendly competition and will be able to encourage eachother. and to prepare just run ALOT. you dont have to be organized and have a set goal just make sure you run like 3 to 5 miles each day and then keep going until you stop.

Answer 4

Well, considering the two sports are in different seasons (X-country being a fall sport, track being winter and spring), I suggest doing both if you love running that much.

Answer 5

DO BOTH. XC and Track/Field start at different seasons.

Answer 6

I like cross country better

Answer 7

Do both! XC is durring the fall and track is during the spring.  Every high school is different for trying out, most likely you will make one of the teams (JV or Varsity). To prepare, run 6 days a week. Have atlest four long runs and 1 day of sprtinting, and one day of recovery. Good luck!

Answer 8

Can you run long distance?  Try it and see.  It sounds like you have the right physique to do it.  Go to the track, (outside anywhere you can)and start running and see how you do.  Make sure you get running shoes if you don' t already have them.  Check with your school about tryouts.  In track and field there are usually many events and the coaches usually pick whose best in each event.  Maybe you should contact your high school coach and tell him/her you are interested and ask them what they recommend you do next.  They might have a summer time training program.  Good Luck!

Answer 9

I would do both, because Cross country prepares you for Track respiratorally and strength wise in the long run scheme of things.

Answer 10

well most distance runners do both as theyre in different seasons. i reccomend xc and distance track because you need to be more motivated to work hard, because its a lot more work, but almost anyone can be good at distance running if they work at it hard enough.