How to Run Cross Country

If you are looking at this Instructable, I can only assume you are curious about the sport known as cross country. Who can blame you? Now, for those of you who do not know, cross country is a long distance running sport. It is run at meets, like track & field, but unlike track, cross country is ran on trails, golf courses, and even roads. The sport is not only a challenge of who can run the fastest, but who can run the longest, and who can master the terrain the best. In the end though, all that matters is running to the best of your ability. As a cross country runner at my high school for four years, I know a good deal about running. I have experienced the ups and downs (yes, that does mean hills), the good and the bad, and of course met many great people along the way. Unfortunately, there are many people who do not know how the sport works, or what it is. Whether you are a beginning runner, or are just looking for a new challenge, you have to come to the right place, because in this Instructable I will show you how to run cross country in high school*.

*Yes, I understand many of you who read this are not in high school, and therefore cannot run on a high school team, but the steps given in here can also help anyone who is desiring to become a distance runner.

Step 1 Supplies

Yes, I know it may seem strange, but there are a few supplies that are needed before you can run. You will need:

Running shoes*
Proper running attire*
A watch*
A coach and team (if you plan on running on a high school team)
Time (not really a physical supply, but very important)
Willpower (again, not a real supply, but cross country is a very trying sport, both physically and mentally. Always have goals and don't give up on them)

*The price of these items is really up to you, because you can either spend a little bit of money and get the same basic results, or spend more if you choose and get a few bonus features with your running products. I'm not saying that paying more money always means you're being scammed, because in some cases throwing in the extra cash will actually help some, but the key is knowing whether or not you need or even want the extras. In the next few steps I will help explain what is needed and what might help while running, but in the end it all comes down to personal preference.

Comments

[cyberviper42]

I'm well out of my High School cross country days, but one of the most fun runs that I do is to just go out and explore. Exploratory runs are generally medium-long distance runs that take you somewhere new. Going into the next town over can be fun because it is not your normal route, but you still know the general area so you won't get super lost and spend hours trying to find your way back.

Doing the same old routine gets boring, so adding this type of run into your workout schedule helps make running fun.

[lemonie]

A common mistake on this site is to talk about something, without actually showing how to do anything.
Classically, a person says: (These things), well it depends upon-. (This), it depends whether-. (That) well, that's up to you / your coach...

L