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Cross Country Training Thread

Myles Splitz

I know track is only winding down but I have seen a bit of talk around the logs and events page regarding this so I though I would set up a thread for all things XC from races to training.

With the new changes being made by AAI hopefully it can breath a little bit of new life into XC and get a few more involved.

I definitely think that there are a number of marathoners who are missing a trick with regards the benefits of the training in terms of not just strength and stamina but also the muscular development that can improve consistency during next marathon cycle.

Looking at Irish Men and Women marathoners there does seem to be a good overlap between Marathons and XC (On the European Gold medal winning team in 2012, marathoners made up over half the team). There is also a good tradition of overlap in East Africans (Geb, G Mutai etc)

There many doing it?
Where are you in training and how are you going to approach it?
Favourite/most dreaded sessions?
Target races?

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Aurelian

Hoping to do my first XC race at the end off the month. Any advice on shoes? I've been running in standard runners up to now.

[Deleted User]

Star of the Sea AC 30th Anniversary Cross Country takes place on Sunday 23rd September.

Races for all ages and levels. See attachment.

pconn062

If all the stars align I hope to do my first full cross country season since....2015. :eek: Can't frickin wait to get back on the grass.

Sacksian

KielyUnusual wrote: »

Was it 7.5k last year as well?

It felt a lot longer......

I think it was advertised as 8k but ended up being 7.5k - I wasn't there but I have a vague memory that they used the 1500m lap (and did 5 laps), instead of doing 4 laps of the 2k one.

KielyUnusual

Sacksian wrote: »

It begins...

Autumn Open XC entries open.

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/downloads/events-timetable/Autumn_Open_Timetable_2018.pdf

First year since 2014 where I've not missed the track season with injury leading into cross. Looking forward to it!

Was it 7.5k last year as well?

It felt a lot longer......

HelenAnne

Sacksian wrote: »

It begins...

Autumn Open XC entries open.

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/downloads/events-timetable/Autumn_Open_Timetable_2018.pdf

First year since 2014 where I've not missed the track season with injury leading into cross. Looking forward to it!

I feel sick looking at that -- 6k of mud and sand and despair ... sign me up! :pac::)

Sacksian

RayCun wrote: »

anyone know where national novices is on this year?

My memory of last year was that it was announced fairly late. I'm surprised Abbotstown - as the designated national course - hasn't been used for much more than seniors/open.

RayCun

anyone know where national novices is on this year?

Sacksian

It begins...

Autumn Open XC entries open.

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/downloads/events-timetable/Autumn_Open_Timetable_2018.pdf

First year since 2014 where I've not missed the track season with injury leading into cross. Looking forward to it!

Testosterscone

youngrun wrote: »

Any cross country races on weekend of 11th 12th November that would be open races or open to guests from clubs out of county or province

Leinster Seniors also and think they are usually good about guesting though it's in Adamstown Wexford so might be a bit of a trek for you

El Caballo

youngrun wrote: »

Any cross country races on weekend of 11th 12th November that would be open races or open to guests from clubs out of county or province

Munster Senior XC is on in Galbally on the Tipp/Limerick border that weekend, no idea about guest's for it, you'd have to ask.

youngrun

Any cross country races on weekend of 11th 12th November that would be open races or open to guests from clubs out of county or province

Testosterscone

Course layout for Dublin Senior XC Championships this week

RayCun

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

You can race senior if you're a registered athlete, not a junior and have a pulse

Instinct for self-preservation definitely not required

adrian522

adrian522 wrote: »

The goal for tomorrow will be 2nd last or better! (Fairly ambitious target though)

105 out of 108 so job done!

Testosterscone

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

You can race senior if you're a registered athlete, not a junior and have a pulse

Pretty sure the pulse is only a requirement at start line, has been questionable in the past for me falling over the finish line ðŸ˜‚

BeepBeep67

Butterbeans wrote: »

Silly question perhaps, senior age grade is from 19/20 to 35 and masters is over 35 upwards - open to correction on that. Can you race senior even if over 35 or are you confined to masters and novice?

You can race senior if you're a registered athlete, not a junior and have a pulse

Butterbeans

Silly question perhaps, senior age grade is from 19/20 to 35 and masters is over 35 upwards - open to correction on that. Can you race senior even if over 35 or are you confined to masters and novice?

Butterbeans

BeepBeep67

adrian522 wrote: »

What's in Santry tomorrow?

The goal for tomorrow will be 2nd last or better! (Fairly ambitious target though)

^ Dublin Juniors and Seniors - Nov 5th

adrian522

What's in Santry tomorrow?

The goal for tomorrow will be 2nd last or better! (Fairly ambitious target though)

BeepBeep67

adrian522 wrote: »

Anyone going to Navan tomorrow?

Yep, making up the numbers

Testosterscone

adrian522 wrote: »

Anyone going to Navan tomorrow?

Had to give a miss, couldnt get the time off work so saving myself for Santry next week

adrian522

Anyone going to Navan tomorrow?

Down South

Open for entries

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/news/autumn-open-cross-country-festival-2017/

midonogh

I was in a similar position last year. Being a novice cx runner the Dublin Novice sounded attractive. I'm a club member by virtue of coaching kids, rather than being a club runner. My kids were already running the junior races that morning so it was a bit of a day out.

I hit the first corner and though I really should not be here. Persevered, did not get lapped and trailed in 90th of 93. I figured that the guys behind me were having a bad day relative to their usually standards whereas I was having as good a day as any I have.

My daughter was running her first u10 race and similarly had had hard day. My ordeal was worth it when her downcast face lit up when I told her I came 3rd last. "Oh daddy I came 3rd last as well". She has an inflated view of my athletic prowess so that fact that we both finished the same hugely enhanced her assessment of her own performance. Still brings a tear to my eye.

Ran most of the BHAA XC races where I finished in respectable mid-table mediocrity. Thoroughly recommend them and particularly as a place to start. Really looking forward to the start of the BHAA XC season.

Testosterscone

corcaigh07 wrote: »

Good idea, checked the AAI Autumn times from last year, everyone bar 1 ran sub 33. By comparison, I ran the Terenure 5 mile in 43 mins ish.

It's a bit of a catch 22 these races are open and welcome to all but people are turned off because of the quality of thof field.

The more runners we can encourage to do it though the less people will be out of their depth and the more runners would follow suit.

Would definitely advise trying BHAA though XC goes a long way towards making you a better runner and will stand to you

corcaigh07

RayCun wrote: »

The BHAA races would be a good introduction to cross country, wide range of standards there.

Good idea, checked the AAI Autumn times from last year, everyone bar 1 ran sub 33. By comparison, I ran the Terenure 5 mile in 43 mins ish.

RayCun

corcaigh07 wrote: »

I'm thinking of entering the Autumn open. Is it a good idea to do it even though I'm just an average enough runner that does Parkrun every week?

This Cross Country business sound intimidating to someone unattached to a club!

The BHAA races would be a good introduction to cross country, wide range of standards there.

RayCun

Glencarraig wrote: »

Isn't that just wonderful planning, Autumn Festival of cross country one week before the DCM and the Leinster Novice & Masters the day before DCM

It's the same every year. You need to fit in county, province, and national XC, at novice, intermediate, and senior levels, with gaps between each one, and fitting in the European XC championship. Festival of XC is a selection race for the Home Nations XC, so needs to be before that. Start too soon and there'd be complaints about running XC in the sun, when athletes haven't had time to train after the close season. Go on too late and there are complaints that the season is too long, and it interferes with build-up to the track season. Races too close to end January/beginning of February and there are complaints about clashing with indoors.