Some Do's and Don'ts for cross country!

DO

1. Run with a positive attitude.

2. Run consistently!

3. Drink lots of water! Not so much RIGHT before running but afterward and for the rest of the day.

4. Run in good shoes: Runner’s Roost is a great place to get shoes, and they give a discount for shoes if you mention that you run for CCHS. Right now, there's only one location to pick up shoes (call ahead) Runner’s Roost on Colorado. They support a lot of activities that we do as well as our local community. Boulder Running Co. is a great option as well, but we don't work with them as closely.

5. Run at a consistent time. Try to run at the same time every day. This will help to make running a habit as well as help you to schedule your day.

6. Stay safe. Try to run on marked trails or on the left side of the road (if you have to run on the roads). Be aware of people around you and give them a wide berth on the trails as well. 6 feet!!

7. Stretch afterward. Here is a link to our normal cooldown routine. Stretching afterward is key to staying injury free and strong!

8. Eat well: This means getting a good lunch and dinner in after running, a snack before running (if your stomach can handle it), and snacks throughout the day. I’ll send other emails periodically with some snack ideas. For tomorrow, maybe try a piece of toast or banana with peanut butter.

9. Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours a night. The Instagram can wait until tomorrow!

10. Try to be active on the weekends: We will give you running ideas, but it’s also a great idea to give your legs a break by biking, swimming, or hiking.

11. Realize that you represent something larger than yourself à When you run with us, you are representing Cherry Creek XC. Be proud of that, and keep that in mind when you interact with the people on the trails. Your actions reflect on the group as a whole.

DON’T

1. Have a bad attitude. Running is hard sometimes. Embrace it.

2. Leave valuable items sitting out while you're running. We've had runners get phones, keys, shirts, and shoes taken during a run -- be smart!

3. Eat a huge breakfast: A small snack is recommended, but a full breakfast is a mistake that you only make once…

4. Bring headphones: This is a safety issue. We share the trails, and runners need to hear directions (especially from fast-moving, angry bikers!).