Subject: RE: Cross Country season... I feel fortunate in that regard. I don't recall doing more than 35-40 mpw in high school, at least consistently. But that was enough to get me to a 1:19 half and sub-3 marathon. Those would have both been spring races, after a summer of swimming, and very minimal running until maybe three months before the race (or track season my junior and senior years ).. I recall thinking throughout high school that running was an "easier" sport, because the coaches didn't/couldn't ask you to train 3 hours a day, and go hard every single day, whereas with swimming, they could and did. It definitely helped build my aerobic base. I wasn't good enough, or located near enough to a community that had one, to be on a year-round swim club, but if a kid has that chance and is really motivated, then yes, at least for middle school and early HS, bake a swimming cake with run/bike icing--is the safest route and definitely develops mental toughness. |