Running Without Fear

GB INTERNATIONAL ALEX TEUTEN OFFERS INSIGHT ON THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING

- Alex Teuten

AS MANY UK athletes will tie up their spike laces once more for the regional and national championship cross country fixtures, it seems a good time to talk about it.

Cross country is a multi-faceted discipline; at different points in any race it tests the physical strength, speed and the mental fortitude of every athlete. So many of Britain’s greatest athletes have graced the surface, and indeed I believe it is a key ingredient to being a successful athlete on the track or road: ignore it at your peril! Cross country has always been a mainstay of my athletics career; ever since the annual school race round the football pitches in year 4 when I fell in love with it all.

So much of being a successful cross country athlete is having a good feel for the surface, and I think the only way to acquire that is to get out there and run in the stuff! Don’t be afraid to get yourself covered in mud; it will wash off and the benefits of running on the surface should not be discounted. The soft surface underfoot reduces the impact force, which ultimately will lower the risk of injuries. Of course, be careful to find a well-lit route if running at night! On top of that, carrying out your easy runs on the grass provides a more testing workout, so whilst the stopwatch won’t appear flattering, you can take comfort in knowing you worked hard for it. Finally, thanks to the uneven surface you can benefit from strengthening stabiliser muscles (for example, tibialis anterior), ankles and even your core, so you’re actually getting two workouts in one!

TALKING TACTICS