Like this site:


[?] Subscribe To This Site

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

 

Cross Country Running





What is cross country running?

It is a type of running, out in the open, the woods or rugged land.

The obstacles that the runners face can include water as well as mud or the woods.




Cross Country Running: Some History


Cross country running has it’s roots in the Rugby School in England. The Crick Run that started here in 1837 was the beginnings of this sport. Since early in the 19th century cross country running has been a sport in every private school in England.

When the sport was brought to the U.S., in 1878 it was not actually a sport. Mainly used for training track and field athletes, cross country running became a sport in 1887. Although it had been included as a part of the Olympic Games in 1924 it was taken off due to being a winter sport rather than a summer one. Cross country running is regulated by the International Amateur Athletic Federation. In the 1960s women were allowed to compete in this sport for the first time.


Although the distances in cross country running are normally the same, the shape of the course on which you run normally is not. It is because of this that records for completing the course cannot be kept. What might be a fast time for one track may not be at a later date or on another track. The weather and the conditions of the track can make a difference when it comes to how long it takes to complete the run.





Cross Country Running: Individual Races or in Teams


Cross country running can be done individually or in teams. When racing alone it is just your time that counts of course, when racing in teams there are different methods used to determine the winning team. Sometimes organizers may choose to add up all the finishing teams of the runners in the team and see which team needed the least time to finish all runners.
Another method, more often used, is to award points, equalling the position the runner had when finishing. The first three or five runners of the team are counted. The team with the lowest number of points is the winner.


How Do You Train for Cross Country Running


When you are training for cross country running, many of the normal training principles apply. So, your base running is still incredibly important and should be the foundation of your running. And I definitely encourage you to browse through the many pages in my running training section a bit more for some running tips.

When you do that, make sure you also have a look at my cross country running tips.


Cross country running is a lot of fun.

Whether you do it as part of a team or on your own, a cross country race can be challenging and very rewarding.

It can be a breath of fresh air from road running, so if I were you, I'd definitely do a few cross country races a year!





Wish to get more running tips?
Subscribe to the Best Running Tips Newsletter or to my site blog.



Go from Cross Country Running Page to Running Training Page



Go from Cross Country Running Page to Best Running Tips Homepage



Running Training
Questions: Ask Your Running Training Questions | Running Training Q&A Summary |
Running Workouts: Base Running | Tempo Running | Interval Running | Fartlek / Speed Play | Goal Pace Running | Special Workout: Billat's 4 x 5 | Special Workout: Yasso 800 | Running Workouts | Hill Running Tips and Workouts |
Running Programs: Heart Rate Monitor Running Programs | 10K Running Program | Half Marathon Running Program |
Running Technique: Running Cadence | Running Strides | Running Technique | Pose Running Technique | Barefoot Running |
Other: Running Stretches | Cross Country Running Tips | Cross Training for Runners | How to Improve YOUR Running | Increasing Mileage Safely | Periodization | Five Basic Running Tips | Tips on Running Races | Speed Training | Running Journal / Running Log | Cross Country Running | Running Records



Like this page:

New! Comments


Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

 

CROSS COUNTRY TRAINING COURSE

Into cross country? Then make sure you check out the NEW cross country training course from Coach Christensen.

Click here for more information


NEWSLETTER

Click the picture above to subscribe to the FREE Best Running Tips Newsletter
Comes with free ebook.


COACHING

Need help with your running?
Then check out my NEW Best Running Coach
Coaching Service.

Offers in-depth analysis of your current situation, strengths and weaknesses and a custom-tailored running program that brings results.


BEST MARATHON PLAN

Do you want to run your first or fastest marathon? Find out how to train for a marathon the right way with the 100 Day Marathon Plan. Of all the marathon plans I have seen this is the best.

100 Day Marathon Plan Review


BEST RUNNING GEAR


When you are a runner, you are doing intervals. The Gymboss is a really clever and cheap piece of running gear that makes interval running a lot more comfortable. Check out the Gymboss review to find out why.


WEIGHT LOSS

Do you need to lose weight? And want a little bit of help? Then check out the "How to Lose 10 Pounds" ebook. It's not about pills, potions or powders, but about stuff that works.


How to Lose 10 Pounds in 10 Days


BRT eBOOK

Want to get all the information from this site in one handy ebook?


The Best Running Tips eBook...
More than 250 Pages in 1 Easy eBook.

Click here for more information.




Find Your Next Page Below


Home | What's New | Newsletter | Beginners | Running for Weight Loss | Running Quiz | Running Training | Marathon | Get a Coach | Running Injuries | Calculators | Diet | Books | Shoes | Heart Rate Monitor | Apparel | Running Gear | Treadmills | Your Questions | Your Quotes | Your Stories | BRT eBook

Recommended pages:
100 Day Marathon Plan | Gymboss Review | The Guide to Weight Loss






What's New