My daughter runs cross country and LOVES it! It's no cut in most schools, and outside of the top runners, the focus is more on improving times and being in shape vs. winning. Very much a "social" sport at her school in the sense that many kids join because they like the aspect of being a part of something/hanging with friends, and want to stay in shape.

Her coach recommends that the kids log about 15-20 miles per week in the summer in order to prepare themselves for the season. Yes, the races themselves are only a 5K but you have to remember, they're running every day at practice once the season starts, usually about 2-5 miles per practice, so if her body isn't used to that, she should start training in order to prevent injury and not burn out.

My kid runs about an 8 minute mile for the races and I'd say she's about middle of the pack. But, like I said, most teams are no cut so it's not like she has to fall within a certain time.

Good luck to her!

OP, running cross-country in high school was the single best decision I ever made. I played sports before then but wasn't particularly good, and really found my niche in XC. I wasn't the fastest by a long shot, but it built my endurance and confidence like nothing else. I went on to be a collegiate rower, have run a marathon, and 24 years after I started running, am still at it.

If she can already run a 5K, she'll be set. I started running in earnest the summer before I started HS, because I wanted to get in shape, but still benefitted so much from the practices.

Now I'm all misty just thinking about it. Good luck to your daughter!!

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! Yes, she can comfortably run a 5k, just not at a super fast speed (close to 30 minutes.) Thanks so much for the encouragement!

She'll make a ton of progress over the course of the season. She should join - I think all kids should get involved in something at school.

Thanks! Yes, she can comfortably run a 5k, just not at a super fast speed (close to 30 minutes.) Thanks so much for the encouragement!

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is an incoming freshman and has never been involved in organized sports at school (during middle school.) She has recently started running and is thinking about joining cross country.
Is there a certain "level" she should be at before she even approaches the coaches about joining--like she should be able to run X number of miles in less than Y minutes? Or she should be maintaining a certain number of miles per week?

I know this might vary somewhat by schools and is probably a good question to ask the coaches...but she is somewhat shy and being new at school (all her friends from middle school will be attending a different high school) she doesn't want to look silly inquiring of the coach if she is not even close to the performance level required.

Thanks for any insight!

The races are 5K (3.1 miles). This summer, she should run a few times a week to ensure that she can cover that distance comfortably. Her coaches will help her get faster once the practices start. Cross Country is a great sport! It was also be a good way to make new friends in the fall. Good luck to her.

In my school district, cross country is one of the high school sports that allows all walk-ons. That is, if you show up, they will let you on the team, no need for try-outs.

I think it is awesome that your daughter is doing running and thinking about doing cross-country. I did it in high school. In my experience, it a very fun, supportive sport, and a very healthy one to boot. Also far less risk of injury than many other sports.

I think she should go for it! Regardless of her current level, I'm guessing she would be welcome, and I know she will see real improvement as the season progresses. She may never be a top runner, but it will be enormously satisfying for her to see how her efforts lead to improvement.

My daughter is an incoming freshman and has never been involved in organized sports at school (during middle school.) She has recently started running and is thinking about joining cross country.
Is there a certain "level" she should be at before she even approaches the coaches about joining--like she should be able to run X number of miles in less than Y minutes? Or she should be maintaining a certain number of miles per week?

I know this might vary somewhat by schools and is probably a good question to ask the coaches...but she is somewhat shy and being new at school (all her friends from middle school will be attending a different high school) she doesn't want to look silly inquiring of the coach if she is not even close to the performance level required.

Thanks for any insight!