College Club XC

Three things:

1) Your lack of specifics make it very hard to judge.

2) Not all club teams are created equal. The best ones in the country are indeed competitive, probably along the level of regionally competitive DIII programs.

3) With all due respect to guys on the club team, they're on the club team because they aren't good enough to run on the school's NCAA team. Which leads me to think that they'd be willing to take guys on the slower end.

I'd say give it a shot anyway. Worst case, and you can't keep up with their next slowest guy even on a regular distance run, you aren't obligated by scholarship or whatever to show up every day.

nocturnalrunner wrote:

Three things:

1) Your lack of specifics make it very hard to judge.

2) Not all club teams are created equal. The best ones in the country are indeed competitive, probably along the level of regionally competitive DIII programs.

3) With all due respect to guys on the club team, they're on the club team because they aren't good enough to run on the school's NCAA team. Which leads me to think that they'd be willing to take guys on the slower end.

I'd say give it a shot anyway. Worst case, and you can't keep up with their next slowest guy even on a regular distance run, you aren't obligated by scholarship or whatever to show up every day.

What specifics should I include?

Also, I'm a girl, just FYI. And I don't believe that my school's club team is one of the best in the country, but I know they are pretty good.

What you are asking is no different than what most walk-ons to college teams ask themselves prior to giving it a shot. Contact the group leader/coach and ask your questions to get a feel for what they are willing to accept. The way I look at it, clubs can't really turn people away. My son is going to a university that has over 800 clubs and if you can't find the one you are looking for, you can probably start one yourself. Also, the town your college is in might have a local running club or group that probably meets occasionally that would be very accepting of anyone that shares an interest in running. These groups are often preparing for fall marathons but I've seen a lot of people of varying abilities including college aged students. Once you move in a direction within your comfort level and that meets your schedule, you will probably experience a lot of enjoyment in running with others. Consider biking groups too as they are a lot of fun and another avenue to meet people and participate in a healthy activity. Good Luck.

didn't you ask this same question a little while ago? we all said the same things

NIRCA clubs turn no one away. The only thing is, like in NCAA xc, if you can't make the top 7 you won't be racing at nationals. However I believe NIRCA has a B race at nationals for people outside the top 7. NIRCA nationals is extremely competitive, some years the girls that win are former D1 runners who have used up their eligibility. You might be on the slower side of the team at first, but work hard and you'll notice yourself move up. You'll get a mix of runners, from those who run in a half donkey fashion, missing a lot of runs and those who don't give their all to those who are busting their nuts (err girl parts) as much as top D1 runners are.

You should try it out.

Worst thing that could happen is you decide its not for you.

My school's running club (Lehigh University) has a competitive and non competitive aspect.

If you choose to race in NIRCA there are expectations and some workouts, but otherwise, you can make it what you want. Everyone is very welcoming.

Even if your school's club is among the top clubs in NIRCA, they will still take you. Speaking from experience - a good club coach will take everyone because you never know who is going to turn out to be good a few years later. And everyone contributes, whether in running, leadership, logistics, or something else.

I used to coach the club team at Illinois. We won nationals in 2011. Our fifth woman was a graduated student who did not run competitively in high school or college. I don't think she had any sport background at all. But after two years she became one of the most valuable runners on the team.

The whole point of club cross country and track is to give everyone a chance because you never know who is going to surprise you.