How to Run a Cross Country Race

Co-authored by Shira Tsvi

Last Updated: December 6, 2024 Approved

People usually get nervous when running in a road race or a cross country race. If you do, it's OK, because then most people get extra boosts of adrenaline; however, confidence is the ultimate key to success. There are ways to keep yourself thinking positive when running, especially if you're not a good runner. Keep on practicing until you are better than before.

Steps

Download Article

Hydrate very well and eat healthy the days before the race, and get some good nights' sleep. Prepare yourself psychologically in bed the night before- envision the course in your mind.
Eat a good breakfast (full of fibre, protein ,carbohydrates and sugars) , but make sure you have several hours to digest it or else you'll get a stomach cramp . Be sure to eat a moderate meal 2-4 hours before the race. If you have a slow digestive system, eat light. The objective is to not get a stomach cramp, but also to not be hungry and devoid of energy. Keep hydrating the day of the race, but again, make sure you have time for it to go through your body or you'll get one of those nasty side-aches. Don't drink Gatorade before a race! ^{[1]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
Wearing Racing Spikes is a good idea in the race since they are lighter and have more tread than normal running shoes. Make sure they feel good and not too tight. Having them too tight is just as bad as not having them tied at all. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
Once you lose sight of them, it will be psychologically hard to get back up to them, as you don't know how far ahead they are. But also remember that most Cross Country runners take off too fast, and don't intend to hold their first half mile pace the whole way. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
Move through the first 800 meters pretty fast to make sure you get everything out of yourself - then you can tap into your full potential. Also, you will have the added benefit of running with the adrenaline still in you, so you might as well use it. It not wise to sprint early in the race, rather start with a brisk 3/4 pace to get a good position in the pack. As the runners thin out you will begin to gain on those ahead of you. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
(e.g. a mile mark or a downhill), you may want to try the surge. To do this, run about 60 to 90 seconds faster (per mile pace) for about 50 meters. Then, settle back down to "normal" pace. This strategy helps break out of the natural "slow-down-without-even-knowing-it" obstacle in a race by overriding the chemical in the brain that automatically shuts down your muscles "without your permission."
As this will make them hurt more. If you run, you actually can't feel them anymore. But if they don't stop hurting, you might want to stop and ask one of the paramedics there if there are any.
Obviously, since they're attached to your body. You might notice your arms getting a little sore. If they get very sore (your arms), swing them, but minimally. Pump your arms as hard as you can going up a hill, since your legs will be very, very tired going up and pumping your arms will help them go up faster. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
After you catch that kid, make a goal about the kid in front of you and so on.
When there are people cheering you on, use it as an advantage to boost your self-esteem. Don't ever talk negative to yourself, or you race will end up terrible.
You may end up passing a couple people and leaving them behind this way. Uphills and other difficult places in races are also good places to leave people behind in races.
When you are at the last 100-200 meters, sprint and use the rest of your energy to finish. ^{[6]
X
Research source}
Try to do everything you can to get there as fast as you can. Sometimes your legs already know how to do this, especially if you have implanted brains in them that have your legs self-programmed to kick at the end.

Usain Bolt, Olympic Sprinter

Focus on finishing strong. "Don’t think about the start of the race, think about the ending."
Also, If you don't, the kids behind you will probably run into you and begin to scream obscenities.
There can only be 1 winner, and your personal goals and times are the things that really matter. Good sportsmanship goes a long way.

Run Faster and Longer with this Expert Series

Are you a beginner runner or trying to get to the next level? With time, dedication, and the right strategy, you can increase your speed and endurance. Use these expert articles to improve your running today!

1

How to Get Faster at Running: Training, Exercises, & More

2

Run a Faster Mile: Workout and Training Tips

3

Increase Your Running Stamina

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What should I do if my breathing gets really bad?

Community Answer

Try to even out your breathing so that you are taking 2-3 breathes every couple of steps. Slow down a little if you have to in order to get control of your breaths. You don't want to have super rapid breathing because that can cause you to get cramps.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 91
Question

How do you keep up my adrenaline?

Community Answer

Sleep well the night before the race. Make sure you have had a nutrient-rich breakfast for sustaining energy. Keep stretching before the race. Give yourself plenty of pep talks. You can do this, yes you can!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 120
Question

What if I am really tired?

Community Answer

Slow down your pace but do not stop. Give yourself a pep talk, take a deep breath, and keep on going.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 155

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Reader Videos

Tips

Before the day of your race, drink about 2 liters of water through out the day . This will most-likely eliminate stomach cramps due to deficiency of water in body ^{[7]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Regulate your breathing. e.g. In through your nose and out through your mouth. If that doesn't work for you, try breathing in through your mouth slowly, and then out through your mouth. It's crucial you do this or you'll get a stitch and won't last the first 100-200 meters. ^{[8]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you get a stitch in the middle of a race bend a little while jogging and put your head down slightly.This will hopefully get rid of the pain or stitch. ^{[9]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Uphills are tough. Visualize an invisible rope pulling you up, or lean forward slightly into the hill. This mentality helps conquer the climb.
If you must walk, start running again as soon as possible. Walking signals to your brain that you're done, making it tougher to restart.
After finishing, walk around instead of abruptly stopping. This gradually lowers blood pressure and prevents dizziness.
Run on softer surfaces like grass whenever possible. Pavement causes more impact stress on legs and feet over distance.
Stay positive! Cross country races are grueling but overcoming mental hurdles builds resilience. You've got this!
Start moderately fast, not an all-out sprint. Save energy for when others fade later.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Always be aware of obstacles as it ranges from creeks, rocks, rough-ground so you won't sprain an ankle or worse..

Thanks
Helpful 58 Not Helpful 3
Don't ever get discouraged and feel the urge to quit or give up the race just because you know you are not going to win the race.

Thanks
Helpful 69 Not Helpful 5
At the beginning of a race, don't go into a dead sprint for more than 30 meters. You'll only die out the first half km/mile.

Thanks
Helpful 54 Not Helpful 5
Don't eat or drink anything in large quantities the hour before your race.

Thanks
Helpful 57 Not Helpful 6
Beware of being boxed in at the beginning! It is awfully surprising how much can be lost here! To avoid this, take off like a sprinter immediately after you are positive the gun has been shot, and run at nearly 100% for 20-30 meters to get ahead of everyone; then, settle down to your true race pace.

Thanks
Helpful 48 Not Helpful 18

Things You'll Need

Proper running shoes.
Good training.
Goals.
A pace keeper (someone to shout out times, stopwatch, etc.)
Another person to run with (to keep you going).
Good quality sport/training clothes

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

Log in

How to Run a Cross Country Race

Steps

Run Faster and Longer with this Expert Series

Community Q&A

Reader Videos

Tips

Tips from our Readers

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

Expert Interview

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories