I have missed the majority of the winter cross country season through injury, meaning I've missed most training sessions and long runs. I still want to run a fast time in the summer but don't think its possible without some base endurance from the winter.
What is the main thing which winter training and long runs help improve, e.g. VO2 Max, aerobic threshold?
Also, as I've missed out on this training is it possible to replace/ gain the same things as I would have done through the winter training through another type of training such as cycling?