Cross country running

littlemsfickle

Hey there, I'm thinking of trying out a bit of cross country running this year and was just wondering what kind of kit do you need? Are special trainers needed or would my regular runners do?

Timmaay

Pair of spikes, with 6-9mm spikes in them will most likely be needed here in the irish weather (lotsa muck!). Thats about it in terms of special equipment, apart from lots and lots of guts and determination, Cross is tough going ha!

ocnoc

I find 12mm to be awesome on the wetter courses :P

robinph

You can get round many courses without spikes, just a pair of runners that you don't mind getting dirty.

If you're in Dublin give the BHAA ones a try. If they are doing the same ones as before then the "Teachers" one in Castleknock is a relatively tame one to get a taster of it as it's just around the playing fields a few times. You might struggle getting up the little hills without spike if it's been wet the week before though.

If you fancy giving it more of a go then a pair of spikes can be picked up pretty cheaply.


Edit: How could I forget the cakes, do a BHAA race and you'll get your fill of goodies afterwards which will make the running through a couple of muddy puddles worthwhile.

anymore

Just windering if you need to wear runners with strong support due to over/under pronation, how would spikes work out, i.e can you get spike with good support ?

robinph

anymore wrote: »

Just windering if you need to wear runners with strong support due to over/under pronation, how would spikes work out, i.e can you get spike with good support ?

Spikes have little to no support, and any cushioning would only be needed if you were doing distance track races. For cross country your feet are going to be moving around more due to the uneven ground than anything else so any support would be useless, also the ground is soft so the cushioning in the shoe is also irrelevant.

shels4ever

anymore wrote: »

Just windering if you need to wear runners with strong support due to over/under pronation, how would spikes work out, i.e can you get spike with good support ?

Just make sure you get distance spikes and not sprinting, there is more support with the distance spike.

ecoli

shels4ever wrote: »

Just make sure you get distance spikes and not sprinting, there is more support with the distance spike.

Can get even more support with some of the XC spikes

These are the ones I use myself. They are light yet give some ankle support which i find great on some of the tougher XC courses

http://www.firsttothefinish.com/ItemMatrix.asp?Cc=fw_foot_CC&GroupCode=180572%2D03&MatrixType=1

shels4ever

ecoli wrote: »

Can get even more support with some of the XC spikes

These are the ones I use myself. They are light yet give some ankle support which i find great on some of the tougher XC courses

http://www.firsttothefinish.com/ItemMatrix.asp?Cc=fw_foot_CC&GroupCode=180572%2D03&MatrixType=1

Yep your right there,
Just thinking and the pair I found had most support were the saucony kilkenny(bit of a funny name). Have only had them on a few times.

http://www.trizone.ie/index.php/running/running-spikes/saucony-kilkenny-xc3.html

DriverMad

Sorry for hijacking the thread but is cross country running much different to normal running?

Where are the most cross country races held? Are the details usually on the runireland website.

Thanks.

Timmaay

Hmm to be honest there is no central list of cross country races (the athletics ireland website would be the idea place, if they could be bothered). Cross country is very much so still made up of all club runners, so all the runners usually hear about the locations of the races through their clubs! But anyways, there will be information about any national XC on the athleticsireland.ie, then the local province website (like athleticslenister.ie) will give you information on any of the province races. For the county XC races, you're best bet is to ask your local club.

Other then that there are afew XC races by the likes of BHAA etc which are open to everyone.

Seres

DriverMad wrote: »

Sorry for hijacking the thread but is cross country running much different to normal running?

Where are the most cross country races held? Are the details usually on the runireland website.

Thanks.

Most are run by the AAI and you need to be affiliated with a club to take part , they take place all round the country , details in fixtures section of AAI website. As said above BHAA set races also in dublin , dates and locations in there website .
XCountry racing obviously isnt half as fast as road running and IMHO you have to draw way more off your overall strenght during the race than when running on the road , for example you arms and your core gotta work way harder to pull your legs forward . Its a more rugged type of running than on road
You should give them a go , you will know after the first one or two if its for you . I love them , cant wait for the season to start .

Krusty_Clown

Anyone suggest a decent place (Dublin) to try on and buy xc spikes? I'd go to Amphibian King, however they only list one type on their site.
Should you go for a typical fit, or leave some wriggle space ?

Patrick_K

I haven't run a XC race since I was about 12 I'd say but I bought these last week - http://www.sweatshop.co.uk/details.cfm?ProdID=4842 - and am looking forward to giving them a few outings this winter.

KC no idea about fit etc on them. I'd normally head to Amphibian King too but I'm not planning to wear these too much so the deciding factor for me was that they cost £29 :-)

shels4ever

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Anyone suggest a decent place (Dublin) to try on and buy xc spikes? I'd go to Amphibian King, however they only list one type on their site.
Should you go for a typical fit, or leave some wriggle space ?

Runworx had a few types when I was down there last, not to far from where you work either so a lunch trip(run) would be possible.

notsofast

Seres wrote: »

Most are run by the AAI and you need to be affiliated with a club to take part , they take place all round the country , details in fixtures section of AAI website. As said above BHAA set races also in dublin , dates and locations in there website .
XCountry racing obviously isnt half as fast as road running and IMHO you have to draw way more off your overall strenght during the race than when running on the road , for example you arms and your core gotta work way harder to pull your legs forward . Its a more rugged type of running than on road
You should give them a go , you will know after the first one or two if its for you . I love them , cant wait for the season to start .

Not forgetting the annual Star of the Sea Open Cross Country taking place next Sunday near Stamullen which includes races for all juvenile ages, juniors and seniors.

Seres

notsofast wrote: »

Not forgetting the annual Star of the Sea Open Cross Country taking place next Sunday near Stamullen which includes races for all juvenile ages, juniors and seniors.

wouldnt be too bad if i had cover with kids for the sunday cause in dub saturday , anyone want to watch two kids for an hr sunday ?! sunday rates of double time apply !!!!;)

robinph

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Anyone suggest a decent place (Dublin) to try on and buy xc spikes? I'd go to Amphibian King, however they only list one type on their site.
Should you go for a typical fit, or leave some wriggle space ?

I think it might have been Mick Dowling Sports World that I got mine from. Was really just a quick wander up and down the shop floor though as you can't run in them properly without mud or a track. I think mine were fairly tight initially, but you don't want them coming off in a muddy field.

hardCopy

Would a pair of trail runners be suitable?

Am hoping to do a few of the IMRA races next season, a few XC races would be nice as well but want to limit the amount of gear I'm buying lately.

dna_leri

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Anyone suggest a decent place (Dublin) to try on and buy xc spikes? I'd go to Amphibian King, however they only list one type on their site.
Should you go for a typical fit, or leave some wriggle space ?

KC - I would say no wriggle space recommended. Any wriggles will lead to unwanted movement and with wet feet possibly blisters. I would say the fit is more like trail shoes which in fact are a good substitute if you already have them.

robinph

dna_leri wrote: »

KC - I would say no wriggle space recommended. Any wriggles will lead to unwanted movement and with wet feet possibly blisters. I would say the fit is more like trail shoes which in fact are a good substitute if you already have them.

Yep, with moisture being one of the things that blisters like and you can't avoid moisture doing XC you are best trying to avoid any possible friction. So snug as you can get is probably what you want.

You'll always struggle to get them back off again after running through a river.

plodder

hardCopy wrote: »

Would a pair of trail runners be suitable?

Am hoping to do a few of the IMRA races next season, a few XC races would be nice as well but want to limit the amount of gear I'm buying lately.

Some people use trail runners for XC. They'd be fine in most situations except maybe when the ground is really churned up. So, if you're getting them anyway, I'd try them out for your first few XCs as well.

pconn062

DriverMad wrote: »

Sorry for hijacking the thread but is cross country running much different to normal running?

Where are the most cross country races held? Are the details usually on the runireland website.

Thanks.

Cross country running (I think personally) is normally more difficult than the equivalent length races held on the road. The courses are usually quite hilly and the conditions underfoot can sometimes be unstable depending on the weather. Its a great way of improving your road running as it toughens you up and a few X-country races during the winter will benefit your spring training. It is also a lot of fun to roll around in the mud for a while and there is usually tea and goodies and good banter after the races. The races are normally 6k for men and 4k and the field would mainly be made up of club runners so they can be competitive. Would totally recommend doing one or two just to try them out.

doughef

Hi all

yip.. XC running rocks...

The thing I love about it is its normally when the weather is cold so the sense of achievement is fantastic.
Something about running in muck which I find great .
Also, pb's etc are out the window. A 4 mile xc is a lot tougher than a road race and even if you have ran the course before you cant really predict a time as the conditions can be much different.
I'd deffo recommend the BHAA races and I would have to say spikes are the way to go.

Enjoy

Woddle

I've always hated xc but this year I'm looking forward to it. One of the reasons being that it's not measurable, so I won't really know how badly I'm doing unless of course I'm last

MauriceGreen

Or if you drop out like you and your mate did in 2009, time to man up and finish the course and less of the BS.

Krusty_Clown

dna_leri wrote: »

KC - I would say no wriggle space recommended. Any wriggles will lead to unwanted movement and with wet feet possibly blisters. I would say the fit is more like trail shoes which in fact are a good substitute if you already have them.

Cheers dna_leri. My one and only xc experience was a sloppy mud-riddled soak-fest for Boards AC a couple of years ago, wearing trail shoes. The problem was that the trail shoes (inov-8 mud-claws) just weren't up to the conditions. They would've been fine on muddy trails/terrain, but on wet/slippy/sloppy grass, I kept losing ground to the other runners going around corners, or on uphill/downhills. It's just seems like a great shame to have to expend greater levels of effort than other runners, because they have more suitable footware.

shels4ever

MauriceGreen wrote: »

Or if you drop out like you and your mate did in 2009, time to man up and finish the course and less of the BS.

Ah the good old Novice XC from 2009?

gerard65

MauriceGreen wrote: »

Or if you drop out like you and your mate did in 2009, time to man up and finish the course and less of the BS.

LOL. A bit below the belt for a first time post:D
But true

MauriceGreen

Yes, time to make up for it now.

shels4ever

MauriceGreen wrote: »

Yes, time to make up for it now.

Think that was more then made up for since then.

Woddle

shels4ever wrote: »

Think that was more then made up for since then.

Maybe by you

brutes1

This thread might be worth a sticky i reckon so we can get dates and results of races over the muck..! Cross country dates west of the shannon at any rate have been one of the great mysteries of our time, heard about weeks after the event.:D..

However, firm Dates and venues for Galway and Connaught cross country expected in the next few days , but will be weekends in early October and early November respectively , will post when confirmed .

These races are well worth running for anyone who has only ran road, great for strength training and those who are marathon training will be well ready for it, Over the longer distances
10k/12k, road form can go out the window and cross country can be a great leveller..

This was the national inters in feb, had to be ran to be believed ,unbelievable conditions , will give ya a flavour of it;)

http://www.youtube.com/user/sportsworldterenure?blend=14&ob=5#p/u/15/3QnHD0tM2_A

ecoli

brutes1 wrote: »

This thread might be worth a sticky i reckon so we can get dates and results of races over the muck..! Cross country dates west of the shannon at any rate have been one of the great mysteries of our time, heard about weeks after the event.:D..

However, firm Dates and venues for Galway and Connaught cross country expected in the next few days , but will be weekends in early October and early November respectively , will post when confirmed .

There is a sticky in the Events sub forum for up coming events. but is a good idea to include a few more XC races on that alright. Its great for building strength however for anyone training for the Marathon not great prep as the nature of XC is to break your rhythm which is the complete opposite to road racing which is all about rhythm though it is not to say you cant get benefits in the long run from it just not if you are targeting DCM imo

Seres

brutes1 wrote: »

This thread might be worth a sticky i reckon so we can get dates and results of races over the muck..! Cross country dates west of the shannon at any rate have been one of the great mysteries of our time, heard about weeks after the event.:D..

However, firm Dates and venues for Galway and Connaught cross country expected in the next few days , but will be weekends in early October and early November respectively , will post when confirmed .

These races are well worth running for anyone who has only ran road, great for strength training and those who are marathon training will be well ready for it, Over the longer distances
10k/12k, road form can go out the window and cross country can be a great leveller..

This was the national inters in feb, had to be ran to be believed ,unbelievable conditions , will give ya a flavour of it;)

http://www.youtube.com/user/sportsworldterenure?blend=14&ob=5#p/u/15/3QnHD0tM2_A

Found some dates on the sligo ac blog will post l8r

nerraw1111

Krusty - were the conditions particularly bad during that race?

Was thinking of giving a few cross country races a go this winter but was going to use innov8 mudclaws. Can't really justify another pair of running shoes!

runrabbit

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Anyone suggest a decent place (Dublin) to try on and buy xc spikes? I'd go to Amphibian King, however they only list one type on their site.

Krusty I was in AK a few weeks ago and they already had a few different models with more arriving in at the time. It's worth popping out and trying a few pairs on.

Krusty_Clown

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Krusty - were the conditions particularly bad during that race?

Was thinking of giving a few cross country races a go this winter but was going to use innov8 mudclaws. Can't really justify another pair of running shoes!

Yes, it was really lousy. Place was flooded. The mud-claws will definitely be far superior to running shoes (and even most trail shoes) for the xc, but I reckon (having never worn them) not as good as spikes.

Raighne

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Yes, it was really lousy. Place was flooded. The mud-claws will definitely be far superior to running shoes (and even most trail shoes) for the xc, but I reckon (having never worn them) not as good as spikes.

It's usually worthwhile bringing both spikes and Mudclaw/BareGrip type Inov-8 shoes. Even 15mm spikes have their limitations as the standard cross-country spike only has spikes on the front (the heel is narrow, flat and not very grippy).

On extremely muddy courses or courses overlain with layers of wet leaves the Mudclaws may actually give you more traction than even 15mm spikes (especially as the latter will "collect" leaves on the way, in the Dublin Seniors 2009, I carried about one and a half inch of leaves under my spikes by the end, and the 15mm spikes provided barely any traction).

For those interested in barefoot "old school" cross-country, it's quite pleasant but extremely slippy on any type of wet grass or mud, so I wouldn't personally recommend it unless you're on a dry course.

JosDel

shels4ever wrote: »

Yep your right there,
Just thinking and the pair I found had most support were the saucony kilkenny(bit of a funny name). Have only had them on a few times.

http://www.trizone.ie/index.php/running/running-spikes/saucony-kilkenny-xc3.html

1+ for the saucony kilkenny

Krusty_Clown

Raighne wrote: »

It's usually worthwhile bringing both spikes and Mudclaw/BareGrip type Inov-8 shoes. Even 15mm spikes have their limitations as the standard cross-country spike only has spikes on the front (the heel is narrow, flat and not very grippy).

I reckon I'll pick up a pair, as I'd hope to run some xc over the next few years. I understand that running with spikes on a track is something you should avoid doing too often, as it stresses different parts of the feet/legs (forefoot running?). Is it the same with xc spikes on grass/xc terrain? Specifically, should I hold off until after goal marathon in 2.5 weeks time?!

BeepBeep67

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I reckon I'll pick up a pair, as I'd hope to run some xc over the next few years. I understand that running with spikes on a track is something you should avoid doing too often, as it stresses different parts of the feet/legs (forefoot running?). Is it the same with xc spikes on grass/xc terrain? Specifically, should I hold off until after goal marathon in 2.5 weeks time?!

I always use spikes for XC unless I'm just using it as a training run where I'd wear trail shoes. In advance of the XC's coming up I'll do a few 30mins jogs in spikes just to get used to the feel again. You are typically on softish ground and not running more than 10k so not a huge risk, but I would't put your marathon in jeopardy.

Raighne

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I reckon I'll pick up a pair, as I'd hope to run some xc over the next few years. I understand that running with spikes on a track is something you should avoid doing too often, as it stresses different parts of the feet/legs (forefoot running?). Is it the same with xc spikes on grass/xc terrain? Specifically, should I hold off until after goal marathon in 2.5 weeks time?!

Yes, spikes create much the same adaptation issues as when moving to a very minimalist shoe (because essentially that's what a spike is). The shape of the shoe and the traction from the spikes can also create some extra stress irritation in metatarsals and plantar fascias, so definitely test them a few times and see how your feet react. Some spikes are more aggressive in the way they force you up on your forefoot than others.

Most tracks don't allow spikes with spikes in during training. On track you'd usually use the 2mm spikes, but these are largely useles on other terrain.

brutes1

Re spikes I would always go with the 12mms at least , 15s if its a quagmire. Ended up running the inters in feb this year barefoot, lost both shoes and about a minute in the process , it was no problem running it cos it was just mud .

btw Looks like the Connacht novices/masters will be 15 Oct in Galway ( Dangan) and the Senior/inters in Sligo ( 6th Nov ), along with juveniles on same day in both cases - hopefully beforehand ! - final confirmation shortly

Seres

brutes1 wrote: »

Re spikes I would always go with the 12mms at least , 15s if its a quagmire. Ended up running the inters in feb this year barefoot, lost both shoes and about a minute in the process , it was no problem running it cos it was just mud .

btw Looks like the Connacht novices/masters will be 15 Oct in Galway ( Dangan) and the Senior/inters in Sligo ( 6th Nov ), along with juveniles on same day in both cases - hopefully beforehand ! - final confirmation shortly

fantastic , be there be square !

dna_leri

brutes1 wrote: »

btw Looks like the Connacht novices/masters will be 15 Oct in Galway ( Dangan) and the Senior/inters in Sligo ( 6th Nov ), along with juveniles on same day in both cases - hopefully beforehand ! - final confirmation shortly

Don't think novices/masters will be 15 Oct in Galway, that's the primary schools event. Will be either Nov 6 or 13, usually novices/masters is with even ages cc.

15th Oct Connaught Primary Schools Galway 12noon
6th Nov Connaught Even Ages CC Sligo Racecourse 1pm
13th Nov Connaught Uneven Ages CC Ballinamore 1pm

BeepBeep67

Here are the XC dates that I've received so far:


Sunday - 23rd October 2011- Gerry Farnan Cross Country / Masters Trials - Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Sunday - 30th October 2011- Day 1 Athletics Leinster Cross Country Championships - Novice, Masters & Even Ages - Belvedere House, Mullingar - 12noon.

Sunday - 13th November 2011- Day 2 Athletics Leinster Cross Country Championships - Intermediate & Uneven Ages - Adamstown, Wexford - 12noon.

Sunday - 27th November 2011- Day 1 AAI Cross Country Championships - Sligo.

Sunday - 11th December 2011- Day 2 AAI Cross Country Championships - The Curragh, Co. Kildare.

Saturday - 7th January 2012- Athletics Leinster Star Awards - Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow – 7.30pm.

Sunday – 8th January 2012– Day 3 Athletics Leinster Cross Country Championships – Junior & Senior, along with Juvenile Relays – St Senan’s, Co. Kilkenny – 12noon.

RayCun

If someone can pull together a list of other XC races over the winter, I'll add a new section to the 2011 events thread.

(I should really do some work today, for a change)

Woddle

Here are the XC dates that I've received so far:

Sunday - 2nd October 2011 - Dublin novice xc - Phoenix park - 3k/6k - 1:00/1:30

Saturday - 8th October 2011 - Bhaa teachers xc - Castleknock - 2m/4m - 11:00

Sunday - 23rd October 2011- Gerry Farnan Cross Country / Masters Trials - Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Sunday - 30th October 2011- Day 1 Athletics Leinster Cross Country Championships - Novice, Masters & Even Ages - Belvedere House, Mullingar - 12noon.

Sunday - 13th November 2011- Day 2 Athletics Leinster Cross Country Championships - Intermediate & Uneven Ages - Adamstown, Wexford - 12noon.

Saturday - 26th November 2011 - Bhaa Nsrt/smart - The ward - 4k/6k - 11:00/11:30

Sunday - 27th November 2011- Day 1 AAI Cross Country Championships - Sligo.

Sunday - 11th December 2011- Day 2 AAI Cross Country Championships - The Curragh, Co. Kildare.

Saturday - 7th January 2012- Athletics Leinster Star Awards - Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow – 7.30pm.

Sunday – 8th January 2012– Day 3 Athletics Leinster Cross Country Championships – Junior & Senior, along with Juvenile Relays – St Senan’s, Co. Kilkenny – 12noon

BeepBeep67

Here are the XC dates that I've received so far:

Sunday - 2nd October 2011 - Dublin novice xc - Phoenix park - 3k/6k - 1:00/1:30

Sunday - 2nd October 2011 - Wicklow novice xc - Rathdrum - 3k/6k - starting @ 11am with the juv races

Saturday - 8th October 2011 - Bhaa teachers xc - Castleknock - 2m/4m - 11:00

Sunday - 16th October 2011 - Wicklow intermediate xc - Roundwood - 4k/8k - starting @ 11am with the juv races

Sunday - 23rd October 2011- Gerry Farnan Cross Country / Masters Trials - Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Sunday - 30th October 2011- Day 1 Athletics Leinster Cross Country Championships - Novice, Masters & Even Ages - Belvedere House, Mullingar - 12noon.

Sunday - 13th November 2011- Day 2 Athletics Leinster Cross Country Championships - Intermediate & Uneven Ages - Adamstown, Wexford - 12noon.

Saturday - 26th November 2011 - Bhaa Nsrt/smart - The ward - 4k/6k - 11:00/11:30

Sunday - 27th November 2011- Day 1 AAI Cross Country Championships - Sligo.

Sunday - 11th December 2011- Day 2 AAI Cross Country Championships - The Curragh, Co. Kildare.

Saturday - 7th January 2012- Athletics Leinster Star Awards - Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow – 7.30pm.

Sunday – 8th January 2012– Day 3 Athletics Leinster Cross Country Championships – Junior & Senior, along with Juvenile Relays – St Senan’s, Co. Kilkenny – 12noon

Seres

Do i need to take part in the provincial races re Novice & intermediate to compete at national level ?
Can i take part in novice provincial if i medalled before at this level ?