Is it too early to start training for cross country?

Others will weigh in on your second question (and will be more specific). I'll just make two general remarks:

First, it's certainly not too early to start training for cross. Most people can handle very well two performance peaks per year, hence *roughly* six months of buildup/peak. You'll be getting seven months. No problem.

Second, assuming that you are not a 98% slow-twitch type (and hardly anyone is), there should never be an "all-slow" period of your training. Though the emphasis may well be on longer/slower during much of your buildup, there should be a mix of speeds within your training week and within some of your individual training sessions.

It's never too early to start training. I'd keep the mileage high and not worry too much about exact numbers. Don't run all easy, that'll just make you slow. Do a tempo once a week.

why aren't you racing track?

certainly, start building up now, make sure that you get some "b" races in over the summer - 5k, 10k, 10 miles, half marathon. don't get too caught up in the base building - it seems like a lot of guys here are always in perpetual base building and never racing. you have to live for the fight, and not continually preparing for the fight ... and never actually fighting.

i wouldn't worry too much about track workouts ... do striders, fartlek, tempo runs and repeats on the grass.

again, why aren't you racing track now?

My sophomore year i redshirted outdoor track (not injured). I took a week off after indoors then built up to 90 mpw by July. I did one workout of hill repeats a week after a few weeks of base. I felt fine going into xc. I ran over a minute faster then the year before.

I'm not doing track because my IT band caused me to take more time off than I had hoped. I've been doing some very light aqua jogging and biking, while rolling out my knee. I just want to ease into things again and eventually hit 85 by the end of august?

If you have had IT band problem in the past I would be careful about how many miles you do. It could come back if you dont take care of yourself. If you feel anything in that area make sure to take a couple days off from running. You cant run fast if you are not healthy.

Watch the surfaces you are running on too. If they are too bumpy then it can casue your IT to flair up again. Best of luck.

If you have had IT band problem in the past I would be careful about how many miles you do. It could come back if you dont take care of yourself. If you feel anything in that area make sure to take a couple days off from running. You cant run fast if you are not healthy.

Watch the surfaces you are running on too. If they are too bumpy then it can casue your IT to flair up again. Best of luck.