Some can be good at all but why do some outperform faster track and road runners on XC courses and vice versa?
What are the differences and why does this happen?
Some can be good at all but why do some outperform faster track and road runners on XC courses and vice versa?
What are the differences and why does this happen?
Track races favor a more bouncy stride. Not so much for cross country. See Garrett Heath, Leonard Korir vs Mo Farah at the Edinburgh cross country races.
Some people are natural “rhythm runners” who excel at pacing and have strong efficient form on level surfaces. Others are better at responding to change in pace and undulations and shine on the cross country course and the steeple pit. Others are good with tactics and perform best on the track. Others like Desi Linden and Jared Ward are like metronomes who can maintain an expert pace for miles, even while running solo, but don’t have a devastating kick.
leg strength vs aerobic strength. two different things. duh