Is college XC/track worth it?

I can't decide! wrote:

I have always been more of an endurance runner, so the longer the race, the better I am. I love doing high mileage and being self-coached, and have had success at the half-marathon distance (much more than the 5K).

I know I want to move up to the marathon distance and eventually ultras, but I don't know whether I should participate in college XC and track. I'd probably have to be D3 because I'm barely D2 talent and definitely not D1.

Is it worth it to run college XC and track, or would it be better to just follow my passion and run marathons during college?

bruh, if you do d3 you get no scholarship athletically, just do it not on the team so you can make your own schedule

If you have to ask the answer is probably no.

If you think you'd benefit from good coaching from an experienced HC, group training, a good med' staff (hopefully) strength trainer, track right outside your LR, some money if you are any good ...then yeah.

Yes, run track/XC. There is a reason why a lot of great marathon runners come from the track. It will prepare you for the longer distances, and it will fortify your speed.

East Africans take cross country seriously. It is a staple competition for the progression of young runners. Haile, Bekele, Tirunesh, They all ran XC. Bekele and Tirunesh dominated XC, and look at where they are now.

You can get into marathon running in your middle to late 20s, but first focus on 5ks ,10ks ,track and cross country, and allow your body to evolve gradually.

the marathon is a track event in the NAIA. College xc and track is worth it if you pick the right school. If you're an idiot and go to state u or u of state or city university it might not be worth it, but if you find a school that fits you, absolutely.

Don't miss out on the opportunity! It's like being on a high school team, but 10x more fun! You can gain close friends easily and have others who care about running as much as you do. You get free entry and travel to meets. Plus, people to work out with will help you stay focused.

Try it for your first year, then if you don't like it, run on your own. But it's definitely worth a try.

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.

If I chose to go by myself, I would most definitely work on my speed in the 5K and 10K (but mix in a few marathons while I'm at it).

I'm just really sick of being coached by a high school coach and having to follow programs that don't fit me. They just never work for me. Teammates compete with each other on easy runs and workouts, and all they try to do is beat me. But my 5K time is much faster than any of theirs (we're talking minutes).

If college programs are really better than high school then I might try it. But if it is just an extension of high school programs, then no.

Absolutely worth it.

It's a chance to actually run against and race your peers.

You are at the age where you are at your fittest and strongest.

You have coaching, training partners, and facilites.

You also get to race against someone that my be a future Olympian, World Champion, or national champion.

You are going to pass that up to "race" a bunch of soccer moms and paunchy old men in some road race?

Step up to your real competition, don't hide.

I can't decide! wrote:

I'm just really sick of being coached by a high school coach and having to follow programs that don't fit me. They just never work for me. Teammates compete with each other on easy runs and workouts, and all they try to do is beat me. But my 5K time is much faster than any of theirs (we're talking minutes).

Whoa lots of red flags going up here.

First, college XC/track is amazing, and if you have the opportunity you should absolutely take it. Developing those distances will make you better at the longer distances as well.

Second, your attitude is narcissistic and crazy. As a coach I'd be hesitant to take you because you sound like you'd be a cancer to any team. You think you know better than everybody else? Chances are you don't. If you aren't open to actually being coached then for the sake of your teammates and coaches, do not run for anybody but yourself.

Third, having said that, college programs are usually better than HS. Usually. Finding one that's good is on your shoulders.

Okay, I'll take that. But I don't think I know better than everyone else.

I have burnt out/overtrained for three years in a row. Two different coaches. I will always be skeptical of a coach's plans because of this. But no matter what, I know I will not have as much experience as any coach.

I have done a lot of reading and learning, and I know what's good for me at this point. I also know what's not going to make me better, through pure trial/error over the years. No coach has been with me long enough to know me better than I do. Coaches do make a program that gets kids to improve, but it is often one-size-fits-all and often makes me tank at one point in the season because I'm the only one who comes into the season in shape and several other reasons.

That said, I'm definitely willing to be coached. Only by someone who is willing to listen and take into account the differences between all teammates, not force me to take a concrete approach that won't do me any good. I don't know enough to create my own program from scratch but I do know enough to use my own judgement on certain aspects of training.

Thanks for the advice, I'll reconsider joining a college XC/track program. Remember, I'm an introvert that likes to take matters into his own hands. I'm not a careless extrovert who is lucky enough to have a good coach that he can listen to without doubt.

On second thought you sound like a tool. The guys on the team will crush you, you'll be ostrosized and left on the sidelines.