After making friends with a few XC runners at my school and converting them over to triathletes (dear lord, someone else teach them how to swim please!), I was able to get in touch with the XC coach and it seems that he might be willing to give me a scholarship position with the team. Looking at something like $2,000+ per year… and since I’m already on a full academic scholarship, that money would go straight into my tri fund! I’d only be required to attend 2 meets during the Fall season. Also, there would be no interference between NCAA XC and USAT because they take up different seasons of the year.
But to the real question at hand:
Is it wise for me to pursue an opportunity with XC during the next school year?
Backgroud
I’m by no means ‘fast’. Ran high school XC since 7th grade, PR was a mid-19 5k. Ran a 2hr 13.1 at Augusta 70.3 on ~15 mi/week.
Recently, I ran my first open half - 1:37 on a semi-hilly course on ~ 15 mi/week.
Due to laziness and injury, I’ve been barely scraping by with my mileage since I picked up triathlon, and it’s definitely my biggest weakness. I feel like XC would give me access to coaching (and free medical treatment, gear, etc) and would allow me to steadily increase my mileage and build a solid run base for longer distance.
But what the heck do I know… opinions are appreciated!
DO IT. Especially since it sounds like your coach won’t have a problem with you doing tri in the spring instead of track.
That is my big plus. He’s even letting the XC runners who are doing tri miss the required spring training.
It seems like he’s pretty flexible, which can be a big bonus when it comes to IM training.
Which leads me to my next question. I’m doing IMFL this year, which will happen right in the middle of the XC season. Any IMers/marathoners out there think this would be bad timing?
Back when I was in college, I was asked to join the Cross Country team even though I was on the lacrosse team. I did not join so that I could play in the informal fall ball season. I’ve always regretted that decision. Join up and have a blast.
I’m not going to tell you to blow off IMFL, but I do think that you should take advantage of this opportunity to become a better runner. Keep IMFL on your schedule, but make running your focus for the rest of 2011. The benefits will last for 30 years.
I’m doing IMFL this year, which will happen right in the middle of the XC season. Any IMers/marathoners out there think this would be bad timing?
I think it would be bad timing, read below to find out.
I ran 3 years in college xc, focused on triathlons the rest of the time. I think you should take advantage of your college days to become the best damn runner you can be. No one ever crossed the finish line in a triathlon and said if only i had run 2 minutes slower then it would have been good. Just about everyone says if only I ran x minutes faster.
How are you going to get faster? There is going to be no better time in your life then your college days to take advantage of that.
Triathlons will always be there, the sport isn’t going anywhere. You college eligibility is.
My biggest regret from my college xc days is not running more during the school year. First semester was always xc focused 2nd semester was always triathlon focused. In hindsight, I would have ran track as well, and worried about triathlons from May-August, while worrying Aug-May on how to become the fastest 10k runner I could be.
Ultimately you can fund your post college triathlon with your scholarship funds, and become a better runner & fwiw there is a strong correlation between 10k speed and marathon speed.
By all means run x-country. I really think that athletes should focus on learning how to race and to run fast instead of ironmans or Marathons at the college age. if the coach has no problem with the two season you should do it. Not only does it help your long term running but it is an experience you will not forget. I am assuming this is a D-2 school. As a former high school country most of my runners continued on and got a lot better as runners not to mention have a good time.
Brian,
training with the guys is something I really miss about College and High School cross country. Even though that was a long time ago for me those guys were like brothers and thebonds over long runs will not be broken.
I’d only be required to attend 2 meets during the Fall season. Also, there would be no interference between NCAA XC and USAT because they take up different seasons of the year.