Summer training is the foundation for a great cross country season, which is something that most runners understand. What is sometimes lost is that a great summer is also important for your long-term development. The summer between your sophomore and junior year, for example, helps you run even more mileage and intensity when the cross country season ends, and you begin your winter training for your junior year of outdoor track, a season that is crucial for athletes who want to be recruited to run in college.
Do the things in the summer that will make you a better runner, not only in the upcoming cross country season, but in the seasons that follow. Think binary about the summer. You know what the binary system is—just ones and zeros. You either ran or you didn’t. You either did your strength and mobility or you didn’t. You either took the time to do strides in spikes or you didn’t. Good summer cross country training is simple. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to do everything you should do over the summer, but don’t overcomplicate it.
Not sure what to do this summer? Join the AAG Summer Training Program!