Is XC bad for sprinters?

Xc training should help you for 400m.

I'd take that the time it takes to run XC and concentrate on what is the real factor in 400m sprinting, that would be 200m speed.

Look at who holds the WR's

WVN who can run a sub10.00/19.90.

Marita Koch has broke the 200m WR numerous times.

Michael Johnson holds the American record in both the 400 and 200.

The faster you can run a 200m the faster you will run the 400m.

I don't see a XC hurting anything other than taking away from the time you could be working on what really matters.

Frosh wrote:

I am a sprinter for my HS track team and my best event is the 400 (about 51 seconds, hand timed). My coach wants me to do XC because he thinks it will make me significantly better at it. I have done some research on it and the people who have written articles are all over the map. Some say it is bad, some say it is good, others say it is ok. What are your opinions on running XC as a sprinter and why?

At the HS level a freshman running 51 seconds shows talent I'm sure your coach is looking toward having you fit for indoor. My HS coach had everyone out for XC shot putters too.

Team Bonding is part of the HS equation.

Some school systems fund XC, indoor and outdoor as three sports so it's a way to have athletes covered insurance wise as they build core in the preseason.

My HS ran XC at NYC Van Cortlandt Park and our relay guys were able to do pre-indoor season stick work and block work at the track near the XC Course.

Run You will enjoy it.

Our 220/440/880 stud ran as 5th or 6th Varsity in XC. Good athletes are good athletes.

depends what grade r u in?

You are in high school, so you are still young. There is nothing wrong with diversity in training. Here are some things to consider:

1. If not running cross country, what would you be doing? If you wouldn't be playing another sport, or not in an otherwise structured training program, then running cross country is certainly a better alternative. (i'd personally pick soccer as a better fall alternative)

2. Will you be running a "true 5k training program" or can/will it be modified? Can you have 1-2 days per week dedicated to acceleration and maximum velocity training? Then perhaps 1 day of "cross country workout" and a couple days of ez runs.

The fall is a time for GENERAL training for 400 meters. General training is pure speed, and the kind of endurance that might be equivalent to 2-mile pace.

High school rules don't always allow for "track and field practice with a track and field coach" in the fall. So modified cross country is a solid option. Full out traditional 5k cross country training is better than nothing.

I can't believe I'm the first to say it, but in true LRC fashion I say you might be an 800m runner.

You haven't ran enough to know.

I do know mid major colleges that have there 100/200 types run cross, with the races being treated as 5 mile long runs. On our team our 4th best women's 400m runner was fast enough to make XC varsity on our team (dead last in a major conference) but the head track coach made her give it up to train sprints year round.

It depends. Are you decent (compared to your 400m time) in the 100m? If not doing modified XC would be beneficial for you. Only run workouts and races etc...

Is the track and xc coach the same person?

If I were the track coach, I would want you to train with the xc team 2-3 days per week running no more than 800m at a time (400, 600, 800 repeats) then do your 5k long run on saturday. I wouldn't even tell you to warm up for more than 3-4 minutes before the race other than stretching.

Frosh wrote:

I am a sprinter for my HS track team and my best event is the 400 (about 51 seconds, hand timed). My coach wants me to do XC because he thinks it will make me significantly better at it. I have done some research on it and the people who have written articles are all over the map. Some say it is bad, some say it is good, others say it is ok. What are your opinions on running XC as a sprinter and why?

No don't do it. XC does pretty much zero for your sprinting even the 400m. You'll be training ur slow twitch fibers with XC instead of fast twitch which is going to make you SLOWER at track. 400m speed is ultimately limited by your speed reserve which depends on how fast your 100m is NOT endurance. Also, XC technique is completely different from sprint technique and you'll form bad sprint habits with lots of distance running.

You want to get a head start on track? Do hurdle hops and weightlifting (Olympic style) to get a good base then focus on getting fast at 30m-60m then extend to 100m then 200m then 400m. Got it? K cool

Your coach is an idiot btw.

xc is better than doing nothing at all until december. Even if you suck at it, its fun. You barely beat anyone, so what you're a sprinter. Enjoy the scenery and crush those distance guys at workouts. Your coach may see 800 meter potential in you and that's why he wants you to run xc.