Cross country often is perceived as the toughest kind of long-distance racing. With brutal hills, sharp changes in direction and surfaces ranging from soft grass to deep mud, it's a test not only of fitness but also of guts. Accordingly, training for and competing in these events -- whether at the high-school level or in world-class meets -- is physically demanding and results in various injuries, often to the knee.
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Cross-country runners usually compete off of paved roads, and common sites for races include parks, golf courses or trails. The fastest runners are lean, because extra body fat keeps you from achieving your full potential in cr...
As endurance athletes, cross country runners must practice sound nutrition to fuel demanding training routines and race events. These individuals need significantly more calories than the average person, and they should adhere ...
Cross country is a sport that you can start to participate in as a child. It is a unique running event because, rather than competing on an oval track, the race takes place over varying terrain -- often off-road -- that changes...
Although somebody doing his road work cross-country is technically running, common usage often draws a difference between the two. Running often returns to speed workouts like sprinting, while longer distance workouts are calle...
The IAAF is the international governing body for track and field, multi-sport combined events, cross country and many other running and walking events. Athletes competing in sprinting events as part of a "multi-sport," combined...
Cross country is an endurance sport. This type of running is aerobic, which means that your muscles are receiving an adequate amount of oxygen to continue a long run. You can test whether or not your are running aerobically by ...
Cross country is a sport that requires a combination of endurance and speed. According to Brad Hudson, author of "Run Faster," racing distances of 5000 meters demands the highest level of oxygen consumption. Before the season b...
Cross country runners who perform upper body workouts have a lower risk of injury and improve their running economy. Unlike other high school sports, like football, cross country coaches may not supervise strength training work...
Steeplechase originated as a hybrid between obstacle course races and cross-country running events. The event brings long distance running, water jumps and hurdling together into one grueling event. Runners consider a 3000 m st...
They have less support, so are lighter than training shoes. Spikes also are made with a slight upward curve in the toe to push the runner more onto their toes.
Cross-country running is a fall varsity sport at most high schools and colleges in the United States. Typically, high school boys and girls compete over 5-km, or 3.1-mile, courses while college men and women race 6-km and 10-km...
According to data from the National Federation of State High School Associations, cross country was one of the top 10 most played high school sports for boys, with more than 239,600 participants running at nearly 14,000 schools...
Cross country is a challenging, rewarding sport that involves coping with varying train, from grass, asphalt, gravel, mud and dirt to streams, hills, prairies and forests. The sport requires endurance and perseverance, as well ...
Cross-country running is performed both as a sport and for recreation, and relies largely on leg strength as well as lung and heart stamina. Whether preparing for a high school meet or running independently, to persevere to the...
If you've ever watched a track meet, you know it involves a variety of running, throwing and jumping competitions. The type of event you're competing in will determine the equipment and tools you need for competition. If you're...
Your body has just taken a pounding from cross country running competition, and now you've got three to four months before you face the demands of track and field season. You want a break. But you also want to set personal reco...
Cross-country runners have different nutritional needs than nonrunners. They require an increase in certain nutrients to provide sustained energy for long distance runs. The best diet for running cross-country consists of a pre...
Cross-country runners with wide feet need accommodating, well-fitting shoes. Cross-country terrain irregularities -- uneven grass, soft dirt, rocky paths -- demand surefootedness and agility, and you need shoes that fit perfect...
The 1,500-meter run is a middle-distance run that's a classic Olympic track and field distance. Equating to roughly 0.93 miles -- and sometimes referred to as "the metric mile -- the 1,500 meters requires endurance, quick spee...
Track and cross-country are different sports with widely different energy demands and running styles. While track involves high-intensity bursts of speed over short durations, cross-country requires efficient running over long ...
Track involves a set of conditions, including track size and shape, the distances raced and the physical surroundings. If you decide to give it a try--and adjust your expectations wisely--running track can be the highlight of y...
According to the International Associations of Athletics Federations, the distance of a men's race is 12 km and the distance of a women's race is 8 km. In order to run this distance and produce a good time, you have to train ex...
The designer of a cross country course does not have to adhere to a strict set of rules. According to Faqs.org, the International Amateur Athletics Federation does not standardize world records or course lengths, though it does...
While it may not possess the popularity of college football or basketball, cross-country running nonetheless commands attention from many colleges and universities. As a high-school runner, finding a scholarship to one of these...
Colorado's dramatic scenery, elevation and diversity of terrain help to make it a popular location for cross-country runners. The state is home to several running camps that provide training, fitness education, camaraderie and ...
While running, your ability to remain agile regardless of the obstacles that you encounter can prove a useful skill. Especially useful for runners who specialize in cross country events, agility can also have some impact when n...
Although school is out for the summer, use this time to begin training for your cross country runs. Whether you live in Colorado or simply wish to visit the scenic state, consider attending a summer cross country running camp i...
You need to find something that the person wants, that he does not have, and that you can afford. Fortunately, if your gift recipient is a cross-country runner, there is a wide selection of running gear in all shapes, sizes, st...
Cross-country running can be difficult. Terrain and weather can change at a moment's notice, and the potential for sprains, falls or other injuries increases the moment you leave the pavement for the trail. Although running on ...
Track and field is one of a few sports that is made up of a collection of different events. Track events include sprint, distance, hurdle and relay runs. Field events include jumps, throws and the pole vault. These many events ...
Cross-country hiking involves traveling through backcountry or extensive trail systems. It's not the same as hiking to the other side of your city park. It can't be spur of the moment; you need a plan. This plan should involve...
Cross country running is a demanding activity that tests your cardio and muscular strength and endurance. It is important to develop your stamina slowly over time, building up every muscle in your body. A recommended training ...
The needs of a runner vary when it comes to a pair of cross-country running shoes. Longer runs require shoes with greater stability and as runners tire, the stability of a shoe helps prevent injuries. Stability and motion cont...
