should I quit college running already?

I think you should stick it out for at least a year. Run your own pace not your teammates. You never know, these guys could be overtraining and you end up beating them at conference when it counts.

Yeah, I'd quit competitive running if I were you. I was in a similar spot, but much worse than you as I was a walk-on with a crappy DII team at a second rate state school. You're 17-18 years old and even with a lack of perspective that age gives you, you're realizing in your gut that the ROI (return on investment) just isn't there for you to continue forcing yourself into a space where you don't fit in, socially or athletically. With the extra time that comes from quitting and concentrating on school, you can prioritize relationships that are more fulfilling and organic to you, branch out into pursuing other interests outside of running, and concentrate on performing well in your field of study.

I decided to quit competitive running back in '08 and never regretted it. I still run for fun, but it's nice not dealing with embarrassment that came with caring so much about a sport that I was never particularly talented at. I was able to work while in school, graduate debt free, meet some really cool friends outside of the running community, and enjoy having more time to cultivate other interests and hobbies.

I know this is tough because running coaches tend to be dogmatic act as if there's some hidden reservoir of talent you haven't tapped into yet that will yield a breakthrough, but after what I imagine has been years of running for you, if you haven't transcended into a D1 caliber athlete yet, you probably won't. No shame in that, just some people don't have the gift and others do.

I'll be curious to see what other responses you get here. The way I see it, the way you see a movie like, "Rudy" will frame what your perspective on a choice like this is. Either your loved Rudy and found it inspiring, or you're in the small minority of people that hate Rudy and thought he was pathetic for insinuating himself into a competitive space he had no business being in and using pity as a vehicle for achieving his goals.

Kvothe wrote:

I think you should stick it out for at least a year. Run your own pace not your teammates. You never know, these guys could be overtraining and you end up beating them at conference when it counts.

Inclined to agree with this. Try a semester with the team. If you're still way off the back and not fitting in, then leave. You'll still have 3.5 years to have a better college experience. And you may improve more than you think you will running wise. But I don't know a whole lot about your situation, do what you feel is right.

Try at least one season. Lots of guys are training hero’s in August but then fade badly when the real racing starts in October and November. As others have said give one season a try and then evaluate if the time and energy are worth it. As you realize there’s lots of ways to socialize in college besides a sport.

What is the COVID situation where you are?

see if your school has a club running team and go that route

I agree stick it out a semester

Always stick it out for the year, it may seem bad right now but it’s hard for everyone transitioning into college.

I too, hope you'll stick with it for at least a semester. Good luck brother.

Stick it out.....I don't know what the statistic is but pretty much everyone who sticks with it and makes it through the first 2 weeks will make it the rest of the 4 years. My freshman year (DI) we had a team roster and I would go back to my dorm room each day after practice and cross off the kids who quit. We started with about 12-15 freshman, by the end of 2 weeks there were only 5-6 of us freshman......4 years later, those 5-6 of us graduated together while running xc and track all 4 years. If you hate it when Christmas break comes, then make your decision. Don't quit this soon!!

Listen, I was also a walk-on when I first started running and experienced all of those same challenges as you. I stuck with it, and after a while ended up being the top dog on the team and getting a full scholarship and it totally transformed my life.

Please give it a go. You'd have more regret not giving it a go than giving it a chance.

It's so hard to say with Covid. Without the Covid situation, my response would be that you shouldn't quit to room with your high school buddy. College is a great time to meet new people, and so you shouldn't stick with your old high school friends.

However, to quit or not is about opportunity cost. If you run on a D1 team, you can't take up a new, less competitive club sport at which you might excel, like crew or triathlon. You can't join and outdoor club and take up rock climbing or backpacking. You probably won't have the energy time to join into the foolishness of frat parties and tailgate parties. You'll be busy and probably exhausted all the time.

(Except, Covid, so are any of the other options really a thing right now? No idea.)

So it kind of depends on you and what kind of person you are. Given Covid, I'm guessing the opportunity cost of running is much lower than normal, so I'm kind of inclined to say that you shouldn't quit. If it weren't for Covid, I'd be leaning towards thinking you should. Given Covid, I'd be inclined to stick it out for at least another month and see how you're feeling.

Some of this depends on how you were trained in high school. Do you feel you were well developed in high school? If you were under trained, consider giving yourself a year to acclimate. Even consider just training with the team, and either red shirting or not racing. I was in a similar scenario walking onto a D1 school my F year. After a year of training, I was shocked to become a consistent Top 5 performer in Cross Country and even lettered in track my Sophomore year. My approach was to see the opportunity as a gift, and I just worked hard the first year and let go of high expectations from high school. I was dropped on many tempos/ longer runs, but once I acclimated, I ended up doing more than I dreamed.

Socially, don’t underestimate how your disappointment in your immediate running could fuel ideas you don’t fit in. Try to connect and don’t allow the fact you’re slower now color the perception you don’t belong.

Some people need more time to adjust and to develop. See what happens after a year of pushing through. Talk with your coach about an individualized plan. I hope it works out for you.

Hey OP:

That is a very grown up choice you are wrestling with. What do you want? What do you stand to gain or lose? Do you want to be on this team, or do you want to be a normal college student? Which path will help steer you toward the adult you want to be? Will you regret quitting the team without giving it a fair chance? There are certainly pros and cons to both - having picked the team/running route some 22 years ago I can only comment on my experience. Since you chose to post this on a running forum - I'm going to give you some encouragement and insight from my experience. You only get one shot (with a few exceptions) at being a college athlete. If you decide you want it, I encourage you to go for it now, make a commitment to the lifestyle and don't look back. However, if you are not committed to being a college athlete it most likely be a negative experience. Being a successful student athlete takes a big commitment of your time and talent, it takes a lot of hard work. I would stop here but you said one think that I really liked, "you hate the idea of quitting." If you hate quitting that is just a different way of saying that you are willing to work hard and not always take the easy path. That same mentality kept me from quitting xc my freshman year of college, and I'm glad that I stuck with it and encourage you to do the same. That same mentality is what it takes to be good at anything - so challenge yourself, make this team. Don't go live with your best friend from high school, that's the easy way out and won't help you grow. Make new friends, challenge your body and your mind. Learn about people (like your roommate) who are different from you - it will be good for both of you.

The first 6 weeks of freshman xc was very difficult for me - up to that point in my life it was without question the most challenging time I had experienced. It was both a physical challenge transitioning from running flat at sea level to running on hills and at elevations of up to 5,000 feet. At the same time it was mentally challenging getting accustomed to a new coach, competitive mindset, being away from my family/support base, and adjusting to not being one of the top guys (reality check). I thought I was going to show up and be pretty good. I quickly learned I was not where I needed to be fitness wise, but I decided I would hang in there (I got lapped in our VO2 test!). It was hard, I thought about quitting - like you, I had no financial incentive (scholarship) to stay - but after some sole searching I decided I wanted to run, I wanted to get better, and I wanted to be on the team. When I made that decision I never looked back, I went for it and it worked out. It took time, about 6 -8 weeks, for my body to adjust to the training, but then I started to improve, I made friends, and I started to enjoy running again with a new mindset of wanting to be a good runner for my teammates. Eventually my teammates excepted an awkward freshman with bad form and a hitch in his stride. I got lucky - I made really good friends on the team and ended up living with them later, I did not have any major injuries until after xc my senior, and I continued to improve each year. Some 22 years later I rarely talk with any of my high school friends (and I had some pretty good ones) but I talk with an see many of my college running buddies frequently. The hardships, challenges, and successes that we experienced forged friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime.

I think many college runners have felt exactly like you do right now - I know I did some 22 years ago. Other freshmen on your team probably feel the same way. Reading your post brought back a lot of memories and freshman xc is very much a character building experience. I encourage you to "think" about what you want rather than "reacting" to a challenging situation. It is your choice, and you need to do what is right for you - but I like your "I hate quitting attitude" and I think you should give it some more time. Everyone is different and not everyone excels at running in college, but you won't know unless your try, and success is not always measured by a stopwatch.

I want you to know, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but it entirely depends on you and whether you "want to be there, and want to be part of the team." I think you want to be there, and if I'm right then I encourage you to commit to your team. If you do then they will be there for you, they will help you when you struggle, they will celebrate with you when you excel and you will do the same for them.

Honestly - the fact you are getting smoked by everybody on the team (I know how you feel - it sucks) is a good thing. You want to be a place were you can improve. Running/training with better runners helps you improve - you are in a good place. If you train smart (listen to your coach, don't kill the easy days, don't stay out all night, run the workouts smart) and stay healthy - chances are you will improve, maybe substantially. Then in 22 years you can tell someone who is having a rough patch that it was worth it. Good luck!

It’s been one week, give it some time. I’d at least train a full season and really put forth an effort to make friends on the team. You don’t have to be best buds, but it helps to get along with the people you’re training with.

As for training, this isn’t uncommon for freshman. Keep working hard but make sure you’re recovering. Also, the other guys expect to be faster than you as you are a walk on after all. Have a long term mindset that you’re looking to gradually get faster and hopefully one day be a key contributor (and there are ways to help the team without being in the top 7).

chances are you'll become much better sticking it out. totally agree with giving it a full season/year. pick some days to give good effort, and lay back on others. you cant train hard all the time and race effectively.

what are your times relative to the rest of the team?

It seems like most of the peanut gallery here suggests staying with it - or at least trying to. I believe that is because it's what they did. Consistent with that trend, I'll recommend quitting. It's not technically what I did - I never participated in the NCAA in any way nor did I try to - but I am very glad I didn't go the route you are. In fact, I'd suggest bailing out of the school altogether. I did a year and it was the biggest mistake of my life. I certainly would recommend it to my worst enemy. Just my 2 cents. By the way, I'm not just trying to store the pot; I am dead serious.

My view? If you aren't getting money, walk out.

There are a lot of activities on campus that you can enjoy. The great thing about running is that you can run anywhere you want. You can also enter local races and open meets.

Focus on your studies and get out in the minimum time. That is way more impressive to an employer than that you walked on. Kids your age develop over time. If you are one of those late bloomers keep running on your own.

As an aside, running is great fun. Its not a living. I was a full ride D 1 athlete. I loved my time in the sport. Its a short period in your life and not the most important thing. Right now its getting through college in the most favorable way.

well, actually..... wrote:

It seems like most of the peanut gallery here suggests staying with it - or at least trying to. I believe that is because it's what they did. Consistent with that trend, I'll recommend quitting. It's not technically what I did - I never participated in the NCAA in any way nor did I try to - but I am very glad I didn't go the route you are. In fact, I'd suggest bailing out of the school altogether. I did a year and it was the biggest mistake of my life. I certainly would recommend it to my worst enemy. Just my 2 cents. By the way, I'm not just trying to store the pot; I am dead serious.

How is school a mistake?