Mileage Vs. Cross Training

High School Running High School Training

11 years ago 07/17/2012 3:04pm EDT

I am currently going into my junior year in high school and I run cross country and track. I want to start winning races and get attention from colleges. Right now i am training for triathlons and I'm only running between 20-25 miles per week, and biking A LOT (sometimes up to 140 miles per week) and we don't do a lot of swimming. Should i be doing more miles as opposed to biking so much? Will doing this triathlon training give me an edge over someone who just runs mileage or not? Thanks for the input

11 years ago 07/17/2012 3:31pm EDT

re: Advice?

Just run. Run, run, and more running.

11 years ago 07/17/2012 3:41pm EDT

re: Advice?

Depends what you consider high mileage and if you're physically ready for it. My high school had me running 60 miles a week my first year and I ended up with recurring stress fractures for most of my career. Now I'm a tri-guy. Had I put in more cross training and fewer miles at that age I might have been stronger and ready for high mileage in a couple of years. Be careful & good luck!

11 years ago 07/17/2012 3:45pm EDT

re: Advice?

11 years ago 07/17/2012 4:42pm EDT

re: Advice?

so you wanna be the next verzbicas, eh?

The time you spend on the bike will help develop you aerobically.

However 20-25 miles running is severely low if you're serious about getting noticed.

Based on your current training, NO. You will not have an advantage over someone who is putting 40-50 miles per week in on foot.

11 years ago 07/17/2012 7:40pm EDT

re: Advice?

Don't underestimate the effect all that cycling has on your fitness. A lot of people on here are ignorant to the positive effects of cross training. "just run 100 mpw bla bla bla"

You need to decide what your long term goals are. If you are planning on sticking with triathlons then I wouldn't sacrifice that training just for a few xc races. If you are planning on running in college then you should try and increase the mileage. But I wouldn't be too quick to drop the cross training.

11 years ago 07/18/2012 11:12pm EDT

re: Advice?

Somewhere in a Lukas Verzbicas article, he mentioned that during senior year, when he ran 3:59, 8:29 (?), low 14's, etc. he was running around 30-40 mpw tops, swimming either 10k or 20k yards per week, and biking the same amount as you do. You are not just training for triathlons, you are training to be an endurance athlete, which will definitely help in cross country. Alan Webb was a competitive swimmer for 10 years roughly before his 3:53. That's where he got his cardio endurance. Yes, you're swimming mileage will bump up don't worry. Also, what runners on the high school level can sustain 2 hour workouts? You can! Not many others. You will have an edge, but only if you have faith in your training, stay focused, stay healthy, and remain optimistic.

Reply Replying to

Username

Password

Leave the password field blank to post anonymously.

Post Preview

By posting you acknowledge that you have read and abide by our Terms and Conditions.

Remember me on this device.

Mileage Vs. Cross Training

Hot Now

Of General Interest

This thread has already been deleted.

You have been subscribed.

Mileage Vs. Cross Training

Follow runfasterbro

Block runfasterbro

Hot Now

Of General Interest

This thread has already been deleted.

Reply Replying to

You have been subscribed.