Cross Country Running Tips

The demand for cross country running tips reflects the growing popularity of this great sport. Organized Cross Country Running, as a Junior and Senior High School Track event, was introduced to North Americans in Wikipedia by Wikepedia.

High School Cross Country

Endurance Cross Country

In Canada, cross country track is less popular in the school system primarily due to Canada's irascible winter weather. However, Candians are pleased to promote some of North America's best endurance cross country events like the internationally renowned Canadian Death Race in Grande Cache, Alberta.

Death Race participants seek to "run" (more like "slog"...) a challenging course through prarie, swamp land, mountains and bear country in 24 hours - with limited support. Hunger, steep Rocky Mountain terrain, and wet footwear accompany the Death Race participant each hour of the way. Check out this purple prose (all true, by the way!) from the Death Race website:

Now that, buttercup, is cross country running!

Despite the dramatic differences between a 5 mile high school cross country race and an unaccompanied slog through bear country with only your smelly socks to protect you there are cross country running tips that apply to most cross country races:

Cross Country Running Tips - Shoes

Select shoes with support and durability in mind. Consider how the shoe will function when it's wet, and even how long it might take for the shoes to dry out after a race!

Where are you running? If it's too warm or too cold - which is most of the time, let's face it - you want shoes that will either help your feet stay cooler or warmer! I have a great pair of mesh running shoes I rarely use outside house because they are just too "breathable" and hence too cool for most fall cross country running.

On the other hand, if you're running cross country in Alabama, having shoes that keep your feet cools will be a plus!

Cross Country Running Tips - Socks

For my money wool socks are the best choice for cross country running. Wool works well whether it's wet or dry, and always retains its insulation value. For hot weather running, thinner wool blend socks absorb perspiration and keep your feet from blistering longer than any other material - at least that's what I've found.

Cross Country Running Tips - Shorts

For cold weather cross country running - below freezing - leggings or leotards are about all you will need. Leggings keep the knees, calf and ankles warmer and more supple. These are all "tendon rich" area where ligaments and tendons have a tendency to tighten if exposed to too much cold temperature.

For anything over freezing consider lycra running tights. These "bicycle" type running shorts are a skin tight fit, only without the rear-end padding. Wet or dry, these shorts provide support and prevent chafing during long races.

Cross Country Running Tips - Shirt and Jackets

Short cross country races where you're not expecting a weather changes are easy to manage. Wear what's comfortable at the start line, and you will be OK at the finish line.

For longer cross country races, consider running jackets that you can take off or put on as required. These light weight nylon shells have great wind breaking abilities and work well to protect you against cold temperatures as long as you keep moving. When it gets hot, simply remove the shell and tie it around your waist. It's out of the way, light weight, and ready for the evening hours!

Cross Country Running Tips - Caps and Touques

For short cross country races, what works at the start works for the race.

For longer endurance cross country races consider a light weight touque. Touques are a close fitting Canadian hat covering the head and optionally the ears. Good running touques can be rolled up off the ears as it gets warmer and rolled down over the ears during cold weather.

Ridiculous but true.

If you're striving for a fashion look wear your touque while shopping and especially in the fast food court... You'll be counted as a toughie, I guarantee it!

Cross Country Running Tips - Nordic Poles

Another item that makes you tough or eccentric, depending on where you use them, is a pair of nordic, or alpine poles.

Don't go cheap on Nordic Poles - if you carry poles, you will use them and depend on them - and they must support a considerable amount of weight!

Check out this photo from the Death Race - poles are part of the standard cross country running gear for this little race.

The Best Cross Country Tip

The best cross country running tip is to get outdoors and try cross country running! Whether "mild" or "wild" cross country, you'll have great experiences!

That's your Cross Country Running Tips! And don't forget...

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