Why Cross Country Runners Should Run in Track Meets (Opinion)

            Cross country is a sport that takes place in the fall. Most runners spend their entire summer training for seven or eight races that take place the following season. But one of the most crucial times for runners is the off-season (November-May). Despite this fact, a lot of runners do not do the type of training that is necessary for them to continue to improve their cross country abilities.

            I believe that cross country runners (high school or collegiate) should participate in winter and spring track meets for two reasons. The first of these reasons is that it helps them develop some abilities that do not get very much attention throughout the cross country season. High School Cross Country races are 3.1 miles, women’s collegiate races are typically either 3.1 miles or 3.7 miles, and men’s collegiate races are typically either 4.97 miles or 6.2 miles. This is a big difference from the distances of most track races.

            While some collegiate track meets have a 3.1 mile race, the majority of the races are two miles or less. These races are important for a cross country runner because it helps to develop their leg turnover (the time between one step and the next). Because track races are shorter than cross country races, they are naturally at a quicker pace. This quicker pace means that the runner’s legs will turn over more quickly. This quick leg turnover will eventually translate to the cross country season. No, it does not mean that the runner will be able to run a 3.1 mile race at the same pace as a one mile race, but it will help the runner’s legs be able to turn over more quickly than they normally would during a cross country race.

            The second reason is that it is an easier way to stay in shape during the off-season. A lot of runners like to just do light runs or spend a lot of time not running at all during the off-season. While runners can typically get themselves back into the same shape they were in during the previous season using this strategy, it is really difficult to improve from where they were at the end of that previous season. Think of it like building a house; the builder works on the house for a day, goes home and sleeps, and then comes back and builds off of the progress made during the previous days. Using the strategy of no or light running during the off season is like starting to build a house one day, going home, and coming back the next day and all of the progress you made previously is gone. It is almost impossible to improve your running season using this strategy.

            Runners want to keep a consistent training regimen that will allow them to maintain the progress from the previous cross country season eventually building off of it once the new season comes around. Track meets help with this because it gives runners something to train for. You cannot expect to run lightly or not at all and then be competitive in track meets. You have to train for these, which will allow you to continue to build off of your cross country training. It can be hard to get motivated to run during the off season if you do not have something in the near-future to train for. Participating in track meets will give you something to train for and keep you motivated to run and stay in shape during the off season.

            Ultimately, it is crucial for runners to participate in track meets during the off season. The fact that they improve leg turnover and give runners motivation to train during the offseason makes them extremely valuable.  

            - Apr. 18, 2016