afosomf Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I must say i was pleasantly surprised when my son quit football during his junior year and swith to Cross country running I thought to myself how do you watch this event? Do parents really go watch them? Well i am here to tell ya, yes!! even though you only see your kid run for maybe 20 seconds, the parents show up in large numbers and clap for every kid out there. They had their banquet last nite as they won the state championships over weekend and i cannot remember ever having so much fun at one of these events Football and BBall are all geared to the stars of the team and were boring to be blunt. The kids were all awesome and all cheered for each other, i was simply astounded, the parents were great as well...classy first comes to mind I wish my son had started this during frosh year as he could have been real good at it. His coach was so proud of him. I almost cried. SJ told this to me for years and i did not listen.. I implore any of you to get your kids involved in this sport! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alk Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Meh, I have nothing against cross country but I hope to hell my sons play football instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackout Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 smart post Alk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny green balls Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 hide beers in woods before race. run to beers. drink beers. emerge from woods 18 minutes later pretending to be exhausted. seriously though, i loved running xc in high school. honestly, i learned a lot of life lessons from the sport. i also like that it's both a team and an individual sport. nothing against football but running is something you can do the rest of your life also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alk Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 hide beers in woods before race. run to beers. drink beers. emerge from woods 18 minutes later pretending to be exhausted. Every once in awhile I'll be driving by our high school and see the cross country runners take off running for a block and promptly hop in a buddy's car. Now that's practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyHector Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Good for your son... but if my son runs cross country instead of playing football, my wife will be a happy woman, as I will be spending my Saturdays doing the home improvement projects I always put off as an excuse to not have to attend. I'd literally rather watch paint dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny green balls Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Every once in awhile I'll be driving by our high school and see the cross country runners take off running for a block and promptly hop in a buddy's car. Now that's practice. memories. we got in deep sh*t once for running to an apartment complex down the street from the school and swimming for an hour instead of running. coach busted us and our punishment was running all of our workouts the rest of the year on the track. ever run 8 miles on a track? enough to blow your brains out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garb Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 hide beers in woods before race. run to beers. drink beers. emerge from woods 18 minutes later pretending to be exhausted. seriously though, i loved running xc in high school. honestly, i learned a lot of life lessons from the sport. i also like that it's both a team and an individual sport. nothing against football but running is something you can do the rest of your life also. I'm being dead serious with this question: What life lessons did you learn from XC Running that is different from the life lessons learned via other sports? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyHector Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I'm being dead serious with this question: What life lessons did you learn from XC Running that is different from the life lessons learned via other sports? If such an unfortunate situation arises, to make sure that the leaves you're using to wipe aren't poison ivy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsis Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I'm being dead serious with this question: What life lessons did you learn from XC Running that is different from the life lessons learned via other sports? life is just repetitive nonsense that never accomplishes anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afosomf Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 I'm being dead serious with this question: What life lessons did you learn from XC Running that is different from the life lessons learned via other sports? I would say mental toughness the kids really do cheer for each other and they all race, no one is on bench each make themselves work harder the kids were all classy, no me me type atheletes where you get in bball and football..prima donnas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny green balls Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I'm being dead serious with this question: What life lessons did you learn from XC Running that is different from the life lessons learned via other sports? Many are available in other sports. I wasn't saying these were exclusively XC lessons and I didn't intend to dispararge other sports at all. But since you asked, here are some lessons that XC excels in teaching (other sports have their high points too): -To gut it out even when your lungs are collapsing from sheer and utter exhaustion (few other sports, expect maybe rowing, require 15+ straight minutes of non-stop exertion). -Skill means nothing in running, there are no playground superstars like in bball and football. preparation, conditioning and practice means everything. With hard work, anyone can be a good runner. But few people are willing to work hard. -That the enthusiastic cheers from your teammates can give you strength you didn't know you had. -That running is a mental game. It's not just "run as fast as you can toward endzone," you have to time your surges properly, mentally wear down opponent. -The absolute delight in trailing someone the entire race only to shatter all of their hopes and dreams in the final 200 yards in front of their teammates and parents and to hear the cheers swelling as you gut passed him. (writing this one just gave me a chill, this was my patented move) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garb Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Many are available in other sports. I wasn't saying these were exclusively XC lessons and I didn't intend to dispararge other sports at all. But since you asked, here are some lessons that XC excels in teaching (other sports have their high points too): -To gut it out even when your lungs are collapsing from sheer and utter exhaustion (few other sports, expect maybe rowing, require 15+ straight minutes of non-stop exertion). -Skill means nothing in running, there are no playground superstars like in bball and football. preparation, conditioning and practice means everything. With hard work, anyone can be a good runner. But few people are willing to work hard. -That the enthusiastic cheers from your teammates can give you strength you didn't know you had. -That running is a mental game. It's not just "run as fast as you can toward endzone," you have to time your surges properly, mentally wear down opponent. -The absolute delight in trailing someone the entire race only to shatter all of their hopes and dreams in the final 200 yards in front of their teammates and parents and to hear the cheers swelling as you gut passed him. (writing this one just gave me a chill, this was my patented move) very good. I hope my question did not give you the impression that I was disparaging it at all.....I was genuinely curious. That last points awesome though. Competitive spirit. Everyone has it. Some just need to develop it more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny green balls Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 very good. I hope my question did not give you the impression that I was disparaging it at all.....I was genuinely curious. That last points awesome though. Competitive spirit. Everyone has it. Some just need to develop it more. ya, great thing about XC is even if you're not in the lead, you want to crush whoever is around you. my only regret is that i didn't work hard enough at it. my brother was great, i was medicore. ironically though i can kick his ass now as i take running very seriously Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afosomf Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 very good. I hope my question did not give you the impression that I was disparaging it at all.....I was genuinely curious. That last points awesome though. Competitive spirit. Everyone has it. Some just need to develop it more. I did not here one Boo or disparaging word at any of the events i went to One of the kids that won an award was a overweight kid who ran in the high twenties(29 min) last year and got it to 22 min this year, the kid got a standing ovation. He received a letter from coach even though he did not run in a varsity race Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyHector Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 -Skill means nothing in running, there are no playground superstars like in bball and football. preparation, conditioning and practice means everything. With hard work, anyone can be a good runner. But few people are willing to work hard. I have to disagree... body type plays a big part in being a successful runner. While a large percentage of people will fall into that category, there are certainly outliers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny green balls Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I have to disagree... body type plays a big part in being a successful runner. While a large percentage of people will fall into that category, there are certainly outliers. if you have two legs and you run hard, you can be a good runner is what i mean. i know great short runners, tall runners, etc. sure, you need the right body type to be an elite olympic athlete but in high school working your tail off is the only prerequisite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny green balls Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I did not here one Boo or disparaging word at any of the events i went to One of the kids that won an award was a overweight kid who ran in the high twenties(29 min) last year and got it to 22 min this year, the kid got a standing ovation. He received a letter from coach even though he did not run in a varsity race see, i would run 28min59sec to crush his hopes and dreams in the final stretch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernJet Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 As a a parent who wanted thier kids to enjoy High School team sports and the fun of away games, teanm spirit etc ,,XC was great.. In many schools now to be on Basketball team, or baseball , soccer team you have to be on year round AAU teams from early age to make the HS team.. At JGBs school, most teh BBall players got ACC schollies , the soccer team virtually had 2/3rd roster on Junior US Olmpic team (they flew to Boulder several times a year for praactice) and its just a real crapshoot, your kid could play youth soccer nad basketball all thru youth and not make HS team,,I say its great to try and if you dont make it, I tell parents, dont let your kid who gets cut from football/bball/soccer to jsut give up on sports,,try XC,,you still get the team sports feeling, letter jackets, away meets , state meets etc... In my case my sons all did the soccer and baseball and when tehy got to junior high they also added track,, in both cases, they liked track/xc better and went that route,, JGBs got a great experience and lasting friends and a sport he does to this day.. His younger brother saw his older brother have a blast and that propelled him to also get into XC/track and a eventual scholly at Chapel Hill.. The kids in XC usually have better grades and are usually less inclined in clique mentality and are inclusive to all regardless of who has best times,, always had beytter luck with thes ekids than the travel soccer teams kids I coached and sons played on..they were some spoiled ass kids nuthin wrong with football,,go for it,,this is just a alternative for thsoe interested,, its my beleif that to compete, that every single kid competes in XC on meet day,,every one runs, is better than sitting on bench never getting in a game... but to each his own... Glad Rich and his son had a great time next year,,good luck to him next year,,remember toi tall him taht its all about what he doesn in theh summer before the seasonb starts,,make sur ehe doesn indoor track and outdoor track also,,the trifecta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiLMiCKMANTLE Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I would say mental toughness the kids really do cheer for each other and they all race, no one is on bench each make themselves work harder the kids were all classy, no me me type atheletes where you get in bball and football..prima donnas No offence but the reason all those kids are so classy is because XC is for the "nerds" aka smart kids that run XC just so they can finally get that letterman jacket they always wanted.. XC is only for the kids that cant take the intensidy of other popular sport like baseball football or soccer so the take the easy way out and run cross country because honestly how hard is it to run throught some woods or around a golf course at your own pace. because at the age you are at in high school there should be no reason someone couldnt run at least a mile non stop and after some practice your stamina just keeps increasing.. im sorry but XC is not a sport its more of a confidence booster for the less self confident kids IMO or its just for the kids that wanna stay in shape until the real sports get going again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny green balls Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 No offence but the reason all those kids are so classy is because XC is for the "nerds" aka smart kids that run XC just so they can finally get that letterman jacket they always wanted.. XC is only for the kids that cant take the intensidy of other popular sport like baseball football or soccer so the take the easy way out and run cross country because honestly how hard is it to run throught some woods or around a golf course at your own pace. because at the age you are at in high school there should be no reason someone couldnt run at least a mile non stop and after some practice your stamina just keeps increasing.. im sorry but XC is not a sport its more of a confidence booster for the less self confident kids IMO or its just for the kids that wanna stay in shape until the real sports get going again what a dunce. you know xc is an olympic sport, right? besides, saying that some kids "run at their own pace" disparages the whole sport is assinine. even so, those are the same unathletic kids who would by warming the pine in fball. you also realize that letters aren't handed out like candy, right? only the top 7 guys are varsity. funny you should bring this up because everyone on the varsity fball team--even the backup punter--gets a letter, even if they don't see the field. the fact is <0.0001% of hs athletes go pro. i think sports in general teaches important lessons. if you play football, great. if you run xc, great. since you ain't going pro, do what you enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernJet Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 No offence but the reason all those kids are so classy is because XC is for the "nerds" aka smart kids that run XC just so they can finally get that letterman jacket they always wanted.. XC is only for the kids that cant take the intensidy of other popular sport like baseball football or soccer so the take the easy way out and run cross country because honestly how hard is it to run throught some woods or around a golf course at your own pace. because at the age you are at in high school there should be no reason someone couldnt run at least a mile non stop and after some practice your stamina just keeps increasing.. im sorry but XC is not a sport its more of a confidence booster for the less self confident kids IMO or its just for the kids that wanna stay in shape until the real sports get going again well the wifebeater wearin dude speaks,,and i am not surprised,,maybe the goofist post ever,, cant wait till u r a parent and see what life is, and if these are the nerds, uh ok,, i know where the non nerds are now in life,,haha,,they serve me my food, fix my clogged toilet etc.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyHector Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 if you have two legs and you run hard, you can be a good runner is what i mean. i know great short runners, tall runners, etc. sure, you need the right body type to be an elite olympic athlete but in high school working your tail off is the only prerequisite. I'm even just talking about being competitive at the high school level... everyone that ran XC at my school was very lean, regardless of being short or tall. It's a lot easier to be a distance runner if you're 6'3" and weigh 180lbs than if you're the same height and weigh 230lb - and are of relatively equal conditioning. I'm just challenging the notion that what separates a successful runner from the rest of the field is sheer determination and dedication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny green balls Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I'm even just talking about being competitive at the high school level... everyone that ran XC at my school was very lean, regardless of being short or tall. It's a lot easier to be a distance runner if you're 6'3" and weigh 180lbs than if you're the same height and weigh 230lb - and are of relatively equal conditioning. I'm just challenging the notion that what separates a successful runner from the rest of the field is sheer determination and dedication. hey mcfly if you work hard at running you won't be fat for long. hard work can make you lean. if you run 8 miles a day as hard as you can you WILL be a good hs runner. period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernJet Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I'm even just talking about being competitive at the high school level... everyone that ran XC at my school was very lean, regardless of being short or tall. It's a lot easier to be a distance runner if you're 6'3" and weigh 180lbs than if you're the same height and weigh 230lb - and are of relatively equal conditioning. I'm just challenging the notion that what separates a successful runner from the rest of the field is sheer determination and dedication. not true,,maybe at Olympic level.. at HS level, and JGBs school was Top 5 in nation, were amix of body types,,and the Top 7 were all Top 100 in USA,,so maybe as u get a little up Olympic chain,, but your school was just a fact that many were tall lean,,but you can get to Top 100 in USA HS level regardless of body type Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyHector Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 In many schools now to be on Basketball team, or baseball , soccer team you have to be on year round AAU teams from early age to make the HS team.. I think that's more a function of where you live, as I know that High School sports on Long Island are not nearly that competitive - as can be seen by the scarce number of professional players produced. The only sport around here that is golden for scholarships to good schools is lacrosse... despite the little interest I have in it and the fact that it conflicts with baseball season, I might nudge my son in that direction, since his college funds are growing at an alarmingly negative rate right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny green balls Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I think that's more a function of where you live, as I know that High School sports on Long Island are not nearly that competitive - as can be seen by the scarce number of professional players produced. The only sport around here that is golden for scholarships to good schools is lacrosse... despite the little interest I have in it and the fact that it conflicts with baseball season, I might nudge my son in that direction, since his college funds are growing at an alarmingly negative rate right now. lax is a great sport. and you're right, scolly money is good for lax. however, maybe focus on the kid's academics first? academic scholarships much easier to get and good grades equals good school even if your kid can't get any scholarships and has to take out loans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyHector Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 hey mcfly if you work hard at running you won't be fat for long. hard work can make you lean. if you run 8 miles a day as hard as you can you WILL be a good hs runner. period. I'm not talking someone being fat, which is why I purposely included the statement about being equally conditioned, but that obviously was missed on your end. Lean muscle has weight... upper body mass does not help you run and only adds to how much work you have to do in order to propel yourself. The toll the additional weight takes on your joints is a factor as well. Your assertion that all it takes to be a good runner is hard work is something I've heard from runners before, as if it's a badge of honor... that somehow, runners work harder than other athletes because their sport of choice doesn't require natural skill, physical attributes, or athleticism. Now while I think there's a larger percentage of the population that are cut out for running than say, football or basketball, I simply don't agree that everyone is capable of performing at a high level with nothing more than hard work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiLMiCKMANTLE Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 what a dunce. you know xc is an olympic sport, right? besides, saying that some kids "run at their own pace" disparages the whole sport is assinine. even so, those are the same unathletic kids who would by warming the pine in fball. you also realize that letters aren't handed out like candy, right? only the top 7 guys are varsity. funny you should bring this up because everyone on the varsity fball team--even the backup punter--gets a letter, even if they don't see the field. the fact is <0.0001% of hs athletes go pro. i think sports in general teaches important lessons. if you play football, great. if you run xc, great. since you ain't going pro, do what you enjoy. cmon now shooting is an olympic sport and it doenst meen you have to be an athlete to be good at it.. all im sayin is that where im from cross country is the scapegoat of all sports.. and a confidence booster... and i dont know about your football teams in high school but down here not just anyone makes the team you have to have some kind of skills plus are punter was the starting RB so.. lol plus you ran XC so you have to defend your "sport" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyHector Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 lax is a great sport. and you're right, scolly money is good for lax. however, maybe focus on the kid's academics first? academic scholarships much easier to get and good grades equals good school even if your kid can't get any scholarships and has to take out loans Being that my son isn't even 3 yet, I was really (mostly) kidding. And as someone who went to college on an academic scholarship, I am very familiar with that route. Thus far, it looks like he has inherited more of my genetics than my wife's in that area (thank goodness), so we'll see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afosomf Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 I'm not talking someone being fat, which is why I purposely included the statement about being equally conditioned, but that obviously was missed on your end. Lean muscle has weight... upper body mass does not help you run and only adds to how much work you have to do in order to propel yourself. The toll the additional weight takes on your joints is a factor as well. Your assertion that all it takes to be a good runner is hard work is something I've heard from runners before, as if it's a badge of honor... that somehow, runners work harder than other athletes because their sport of choice doesn't require natural skill, physical attributes, or athleticism. Now while I think there's a larger percentage of the population that are cut out for running than say, football or basketball, I simply don't agree that everyone is capable of performing at a high level with nothing more than hard work. i am hear to tell you that the loudest ovation was for the overweight kid who beat his PR by 7 min, this kid was a senior and who knows... the more he runs the leaner he will get and it will help him down the road of life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garb Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 SJ - you are right. The "big" HS sports: Football, BB, Soccer, even lacrosse - you need to be REALLY good to make the team. This means non-stop playing, practice, camps, etc. My nephew is a REALLy good lacrosse player - he's smart as a whip too in addition to being photo editor of the junior high school paper and school mediator (I'm bragging ) - anyway, my brother (who also coached youth lacrosse in his town) has him in various camps, tourney's, etc throughout the year. He says you "need" that competitive advatage to gain a scholarship - to Duke....or Princeton (academic via the stick;) ) etc., - anyway....I find it sad that you have to work your kids THAT hard so they can get to a "good" school and not have to pay for it the rest of your life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afosomf Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 cmon now shooting is an olympic sport and it doenst meen you have to be an athlete to be good at it.. all im sayin is that where im from cross country is the scapegoat of all sports.. and a confidence booster... and i dont know about your football teams in high school but down here not just anyone makes the team you have to have some kind of skills plus are punter was the starting RB so.. lol plus you ran XC so you have to defend your "sport" like SJ said earlier, most of these kids will be heard saying "would you like some fries with that burger?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyHector Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 i am hear to tell you that the loudest ovation was for the overweight kid who beat his PR by 7 min, this kid was a senior and who knows... the more he runs the leaner he will get and it will help him down the road of life. What I'm talking about is the competitive aspect of running against your peers, not feel-good stories associated with besting personal times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiLMiCKMANTLE Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 well the wifebeater wearin dude speaks,,and i am not surprised,,maybe the goofist post ever,, cant wait till u r a parent and see what life is, and if these are the nerds, uh ok,, i know where the non nerds are now in life,,haha,,they serve me my food, fix my clogged toilet etc.. hey some people design tiolet and some unclog them.. bottom line someone has to do it and im sorry if the ones that design them ran XC in HS and the one doing the dirty work was the X-high school star tailback.. because like your boy said .0001 go pro and not everyone especially in a big metro area is lucky enough to get a scholarship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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