advice for a new/slow runner on trying to make a univ. XC team

Just run baby!

bump

Anyone think a certain approach would be best?

My training seems to be paying off some. I ran a 18:25 5K in July, yesterday I ran a 17:22.

The main thing to do is talk to the coach and see a) if this would be feasible and b) what advice he/she might have. If you have ever enrolled in college, i.e. when you were 18, even for a semester, then you won't have any eligibility by NCAA standards. Second, Middle is one of those cash-strapped schools using football to cling to membership in Division I-A. (Yes, I know they beat Vanderbilt, but they lose millions on FB every year.) Thus, this may be one of those places that doesn't allow male walk-ons because it would screw up their numbers for Title IX purposes, and they are too lazy to find better ways of complying with the law.

That said, there are plenty of 30-flat 8k runners in Division I cc. Good luck!

There is also a D1 age restriction. I don't know what it is for sure, but you might already be passed that by the time you try to run there. Does'nt mean you cant talk to the coach and see if you could train with the team at least. Many coaches from smaller programs are very down to earth in that sense and wouldn't mind having you train with them. Just expect to have to pay for race entries.

Start running 85-100 miles every week with a long run of 15-20 miles. Do two tempo runs a week one shorter - 4 miles - and one longer - 6 to 10 miles. Comfortably hard but don't be afraid to throw down the last mile or two.

Get used to running high miles and be patient. Keep your mileage up this year, run some races to see how you are progressing, but don't lower your weekly mileage anything for the races.

Follow this schedule and you won't be last guy on the team...you will be a damn fine runner. Good Luck.

would like to run college XC wrote:

I'm 24 and have been running a little over a year now. I run about 45 mpw. My 8K PR is 30:23. I know I couldn't even practice with most schools with that time. However, I'm going to be enrolling at Middle Tennessee State Univ. next summer and would like to walk onto their XC team (not a very good team by Let's Run standards). I know I would probably be the last place guy in most meets with those times, but I think it would be fun, and naturally I would improve.

What would you recommend for me to get faster by then? I'm not too concerned with any certain races before that time.

Slowly build up aerobic mileage only?

Try to peak for certain races before that summer to see where my fitness is?

Thanks for any advice.

I think your on the right track with your improvements...but hopefully you will also see making the team as not one of being last in the race or on the team, but, the fun and experiences you will get from it...I see so many guys that could have ran in college but didn't and they would now give their left...(you know) to just be able to say there were on a team...ENJOY the run...