What if..

[runner2009]

Theoretically, some one (for argument's sake, we'll say a high school sophomore) were to choose to not compete in their outdoor season. Instead, they would continue to build a base, increase milage, and do weekly speedwork. Could this benefit the runner in any way?

Essentially, it would somewhat reflect redshirting in college. It would allow for a more solid base to be built (not having to worry about weekly races) and thus it would create a stronger runner in the long run. Or would it?

Thoughts/comments..

[ZealotAssasin]

Yes, you could do it, but high school only lasts 4 years. Even if I were to skip a season I'd skip indoor. You should have fun during high school.

[Kick]

Not only what ZealotAssasin said, but let's not forget that when you redshirt in college you get another year. Not so with high school.

[Dipper]

I would just run track if I were you. You are only in highschool once so enjoy it while you can. Besides you have the whole summer to build a base.

[orc_vanquisher xc]

One of the better runners in Texas -Travis Fort- did this last year in preperation for cross country. He had a farily successful season but not enough to justify skipping outdoor.

[scar]

it very well could work, but it depends on what you are trying to achieve by this, if you are looking to contend for a state title no one will say "that idiot skipped track for that", but if you are just doing it to improve a little more, i would not really recommend do it

[runner2009]

i have no intention of not running track, I was just wondering if it could be beneficial.

What if you were to run track, but still continue to increase milage..just not race as much. Could this work?

[ZealotAssasin]

i have no intention of not running track, I was just wondering if it could be beneficial.

What if you were to run track, but still continue to increase milage..just not race as much. Could this work?

If your coach would really let you not race at the meets, then I guess it would work. I'd say if you really want to prepare for XC, then just keep up your mileage throughout the season and don't peak.

[run_nyc]

yes it could work. A while ago a guy who won utah xc didn;t run track, just solid miles all year long.

[TdMdXc08]

sounds like an awful idea, TRAck > XC

[El Cuerpo]

Coming off of injury, the Connecticut XC champ took off essentially all of outdoor and (assumingly) just built base instead of racing during the spring (after healing the injury of course). So yes, if you are dedicated enough to doing all of the right things in this plan it can theoretically work out.

[max219]

I wouldn't take off a whole season just to get ready for the one after it. Race in outdoor, train in the summer for xc. You will enjoy urself more if you run outdoor and you'll still have plent of time to train in the summer.

[rustytf2]

dont do it. don't try to get too fancy with you're training just work hard, run every season (unless hurt), and listen to your coach.

[bwoodrunner]

I'd be all for that, but I actually want to do well with it being my last season of high school competition. So, if you were actually considering it, I would recommend doing higher mileage with only a tempo workout once a week, maybe with 3-4 200's at the end of it to keep some resemblance of speed in there.

[trackman1989]

in my opinion it would not help u in high school. 1 of the biggest things a runner needs in high school is experience at running races. The more u race the smarter u become at racing but in college yes u can take a year off and it benefit you.

[3Some]

sounds like an awful idea, TRAck > XC

ur an idiot ;)

[mexican massacre ya herd?]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/AJay05/PRESS_Tamara_19660617_EL_L.jpg

[FroshSophXC]

My team never does Indoor, instead we rest/build a base for outdoor. However, I wouldn't take outdoor off, because you still have summer to train for XC. Taking Indoor off means you get the winter to build a base for outdoor (like summer for XC).