Cross Country for 800m?

[runningisawesome]

Hi, I'm a senior in high school, and I run the 800m. I've never been a "true" distance runner, and it was only last year that I was moved up from the 400m to the 800m, so I have always been focused more on the sprinter side of things. Anyway, I am running track next year in college, and I was beginning to consider running cross country as well. I have NEVER done it before, and my only concern would be that I would lose my speed for track while focusing on the longer distances. I was just wondering if running cross country would be more beneficial or detrimental to my track performance. Thanks!
PS Not sure it makes a difference, but my PRS in the 400 and 800 are 61 and 2:18, respectively.

[TeamZissou]

Yes, it will help. In general, running year round will help.

[2317]

There is no way it would make you slower. It may not much, much better, at least for the 400, but it probably help make you a little faster.

[watchout]

I would suggest either training with the cross country team, or just running on your own. Either one will help you about the same for just an 800. Training with the team just makes it easier to push yourself a little more.

[luv2run]

I've never seen any evidence at all that it would make you slower. But it will greatly improve your aerobic base, etc.

[The Dizzle]

a member of my college team just did the cross country thing this year for the first time and he has improved significantly in the 800. however he hasn't improved in the 400, but he has also run a pretty solid 15. If you want to focus on the 800 i'd suggest it...

[Howataburnbaby]

are you a boy or girl?

[Gyro]

2 Words: Nate Brannen

[bravesfanatic4]

are you a boy or girl?
she's a girl.

[runningisawesome]

Haha, yeah. I'm a girl...does it make a difference? :) I wouldn't think so...

[RunforFun]

yes it does make a difference because your PR's suck for a guy and are pretty darn good for a girl.

[runningisawesome]

well, i meant as far as training goes...

[Howataburnbaby]

yea, if you are a guy running 2:18, you can become much faster simply by running more mileage, but if you are a girl running 2:18 you are already quite talented so mileage wont make as drastic of gains

[MaestroXC]

I'd recommend running cross just for the additional strength it will give you. While 2:18 is a good HS time for the 800, your coach may want you to move up in distance, and the strength and durability you gain will help you. Also, races in college at championships are often run in rounds; again, strength helps.

Your speed shouldn't be affected; you may be/feel slower during cross country season, but during track when you're working on it, you'll be as fast as ever.

[scoutmaster]

I run the 400/800 and I ran cross country for the first time this year and this year in track i have dropped my 800 time from a 2:04 to a 1:56 and my 400 PR dropped from a high 52 to a 50.5. So I say run cross country it will help you alot.

[scottyfresh]

i was contemplating the same thing...would xc help or not cause it wouldnt help speed wise but i listened to my coach and i ran xc and i found my base to be higher than what it had been in past years and i was able to start off the season with a 2:06 and dropping to a 2:04...and the 400 went from 55 to 52 high...so i recommend also

[b.devine]

I'm a junior right now, & I did Cross Country for the first time when I was a sophomore. And, when I was in JR High (Freshmen), I was running about a 2:26 800 and like a 1:10 400. The track season after my first year of Cross Country (sophomore) I ran a 2:17 800 & a :59 400. So, apparently, Cross Country had some sort of effect on me, I mean granted yeah I was in high school competition instead of JR High, but still, I totally believe Cross Country has a major impact on improving your times, even though they are shorter distances. It's great practice for your mentality as well, toughens you up. And also this year for track, instead of just running the 400 & 800, my coach is also making me run the mile a few times for distance training.

[tach44444]

Hi, I'm a senior in high school, and I run the 800m. I've never been a "true" distance runner, and it was only last year that I was moved up from the 400m to the 800m, so I have always been focused more on the sprinter side of things. Anyway, I am running track next year in college, and I was beginning to consider running cross country as well. I have NEVER done it before, and my only concern would be that I would lose my speed for track while focusing on the longer distances. I was just wondering if running cross country would be more beneficial or detrimental to my track performance. Thanks!
PS Not sure it makes a difference, but my PRS in the 400 and 800 are 61 and 2:18, respectively.

im confused, ur a boy or girl??

[MaestroXC]

Haha, yeah. I'm a girl...does it make a difference? :) I wouldn't think so...


Read the thread.

[800runnerDUDE]

PS Not sure it makes a difference, but my PRS in the 400 and 800 are 61 and 2:18, respectively.

sorry but i have a friend who is an 8th grader from SJV catholic skool. he does the 400 in 57 maybe u should focuse on 800. my time is 2 38 but then again im only a 6th grader

[800runnerDUDE]

o ya good times good times.

no offense but gurls are always stronger UNTIL age 12 then the boys take over. so boys tend to be a little bit faster. the results of this slowly increase as age goes by.

ya i was wondering why they called that thing GIRL POWER werent u??

[Dillerho]

It explains a lot that you're in 6th grade.