Summer Miles Part I

There are many talented high school runners who go through four years of Cross Country running average to above average times. There are also those with not much talent who produce average to below average times. Most, if not all, of these runners want to be better and experience success. They just don't know how. Coaches usually tell their team to run over the summer, without any specific guidelines. Although it seems easy enough advice, it's harder than it seems.

What is the proper formula for summer/base training? Although there is not one tell tale, full proof formula, the answer is as basic, and as difficult, as this;

RUNNING IS ABOUT RUNNING, THE MORE OF IT YOU DO, THE BETTER YOU BECOME!

Many high school runners have gone from 17:00/18:00 5k runners to 14:00/15:00 minute 5k runners on properly run summer/base miles. There are those who have also gone from 14:00/15:00 5k runners to 15:00/16:00 or slower by banking on talent alone, not running summer/base miles, or running the miles improperly.

Summer miles are the foundation of the Fall Cross Country season. Whether you want to become an All-American, All-State, All-Conference, or just set personal bests, the summer is where it all starts.