XC for non-athletic kid

[Anonymous]

I think this "cross country is no cut" is a myth at most large high schools in the area

Our high school is huge, and there are no cuts. But I agree with a PP that many people cut themselves by realizing it is not for them.

[Anonymous]

If your kid doesn’t want to run every day- and by run like 5-8 miles and sometimes more or workouts that are uphill repeats- cross country is going to not be a great experience.

[Anonymous]

My DS ran XC in the Fall as a freshman and did one 7 mile run. Most runs were 3-4 miles in the neighborhoods by the school, and intervals on the track.
The top runners did 8-10 mile runs occasionally, and lots of runners walked when things got longer than 4 miles.
Some days were stretching with little running.
This is fcps.
The coaches varied the workouts based on ability, and meet schedules.
At this school at least new runners were not overwhelmed with big distances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our FCPS HS requires freshman girls to be able to run a mile on the track under 7:30 and boys at 6:30.

And you definitely need to worry about times to get on the team. I think this "cross country is no cut" is a myth at most large high schools in the area. They have to be able to run the standard and might get a second chance but there are cuts.

Washington Liberty is no cut.

[Anonymous]

A lot of schools will retain a large, participatory team. Cross country, particularly since Covid, are pretty welcoming places. It became kind of a fun place. But the attention will always go to the good runners. A good xc runner is also going to be a good middle distance track runner. But, from what we saw, xc is going to be fine for anyone that puts in the effort and gets better. These kids will enthusiastically cheer for the last place runner on their team. Good stuff. It's a good vibe for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Do non-varsity runners get to go to meets? Or are they just practice runners?

At our school there is a home meet where everyone can run. There are also a couple other dual meets with another local school where most can also run (but are not bussed). On the weekends, there are large invitational meets that only the faster runners go to, usually only the fastest 6-8 boys and girls. They take buses to the invitationals. For the regional meet, only the top 7 girls and top 7 boys run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS ran XC in the Fall as a freshman and did one 7 mile run. Most runs were 3-4 miles in the neighborhoods by the school, and intervals on the track.
The top runners did 8-10 mile runs occasionally, and lots of runners walked when things got longer than 4 miles.
Some days were stretching with little running.
This is fcps.
The coaches varied the workouts based on ability, and meet schedules.
At this school at least new runners were not overwhelmed with big distances.

+1 The coaches individualize the training as much as possible, with the faster runners running additional miles at a faster pace per mile, faster pace expectations during interval workouts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid doesn’t want to run every day- and by run like 5-8 miles and sometimes more or workouts that are uphill repeats- cross country is going to not be a great experience.

My DD has always played travel soccer. She says the XC practices are brutal compared to soccer practices. The coach said the team is no cut, but by the first couple weeks the team is significantly smaller.

[Anonymous]

OP- what did your child do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid doesn’t want to run every day- and by run like 5-8 miles and sometimes more or workouts that are uphill repeats- cross country is going to not be a great experience.

My DD has always played travel soccer. She says the XC practices are brutal compared to soccer practices. The coach said the team is no cut, but by the first couple weeks the team is significantly smaller.

It seems like kids do not have respect for XC these days. My DS, he plays varsity tennis for Oakton HS, said that he and his friends think XC are for losers, his words, not mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid doesn’t want to run every day- and by run like 5-8 miles and sometimes more or workouts that are uphill repeats- cross country is going to not be a great experience.

My DD has always played travel soccer. She says the XC practices are brutal compared to soccer practices. The coach said the team is no cut, but by the first couple weeks the team is significantly smaller.

It seems like kids do not have respect for XC these days. My DS, he plays varsity tennis for Oakton HS, said that he and his friends think XC are for losers, his words, not mine.

Sounds more like a parenting issue, but thanks for adding to the thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid doesn’t want to run every day- and by run like 5-8 miles and sometimes more or workouts that are uphill repeats- cross country is going to not be a great experience.

It seems like kids do not have respect for XC these days. My DS, he plays varsity tennis for Oakton HS, said that he and his friends think XC are for losers, his words, not mine.

Sounds more like a parenting issue, but thanks for adding to the thread.

lol

You should hear what they say about the tennis team.

That boys varsity tennis team have prettier GF than XC losers? LOL....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid doesn’t want to run every day- and by run like 5-8 miles and sometimes more or workouts that are uphill repeats- cross country is going to not be a great experience.

My DD has always played travel soccer. She says the XC practices are brutal compared to soccer practices. The coach said the team is no cut, but by the first couple weeks the team is significantly smaller.

It seems like kids do not have respect for XC these days. My DS, he plays varsity tennis for Oakton HS, said that he and his friends think XC are for losers, his words, not mine.

Sounds more like a parenting issue, but thanks for adding to the thread.

You and your kid are losers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid doesn’t want to run every day- and by run like 5-8 miles and sometimes more or workouts that are uphill repeats- cross country is going to not be a great experience.

My DD has always played travel soccer. She says the XC practices are brutal compared to soccer practices. The coach said the team is no cut, but by the first couple weeks the team is significantly smaller.

It seems like kids do not have respect for XC these days. My DS, he plays varsity tennis for Oakton HS, said that he and his friends think XC are for losers, his words, not mine.

Oh, the irony.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid doesn’t want to run every day- and by run like 5-8 miles and sometimes more or workouts that are uphill repeats- cross country is going to not be a great experience.

My DD has always played travel soccer. She says the XC practices are brutal compared to soccer practices. The coach said the team is no cut, but by the first couple weeks the team is significantly smaller.

It seems like kids do not have respect for XC these days. My DS, he plays varsity tennis for Oakton HS, said that he and his friends think XC are for losers, his words, not mine.

Interesting that you have a high school called Oakton in your country. We have one of those here in the United States as well.