XC Abbreviated form of Cross Country, also sometimes CC

State - The State championships are held in November. You must qualify at subsectionals to compete at States. 

Milesplit  A site for information related to high school cross country and track and field. Almost all meet results are posted to milesplit eventually. 

PR Personal Record (time). Also seen as PB Personal Best (time). 

Splits Times associated with standard checkpoints in a race or workout. Ex: mile splits.

Kick The sprint at the end of a race. Runners all have different abilities to kick.

Strides/ Striders Moderately fast runs lasting between 50-200m. The focus is on form during these runs. Oten done barefoot and on grass. 

Fartlek Swedish word for speed-play; includes faster running mixed with slower running

Hills Workouts where a runner runs up a hill fast and jogs down then runs up again

Intervals/Repeats Type of workout where a set distance is run repeatedly with a recovery jog between; for example 6 times 400 meters with 100 meters recovery jog

Negative Split Running the second half of a race faster than the first half. This is generally considered to be a good thing and most PRs involve negative splits. 

Taper Reducing your mileage several days to three weeks before an important race (ex: State) to ensure peak performance on race day.

Cool-down Slow, easy running done after a workout or race to help you recover more quickly. No good racer fails to do a cool-down after a race.

Recovery Run (RR) Slow to moderate running to recover from hard workouts or races and/or maintain aerobic conditioning.

Top 5 Spread the time difference between a team’s first place and their fifth place runner. A small Top 5 spread is taken to be a sign of team strength and cohesion. Pack running is ideal.

Pack up When a group of runners (often from the same team) run together in a race.

Starting Box At invitational meets teams are usually assigned to a specified portion of the start line given by a box number. This is a wide area, where there is jostling as teams start and try for a good spot. Please do not false start. 

Tempo Run (TR): A sustained pace that is challenging - not quite race pace - you can speak a few words at a time, but are not chatting in full sentences. About 75-85% of race pace, sustained for 20-45 mins

Finish Chute The area immediately following the finish line. Depending upon the method of timing, the chute may be narrow and be cordoned off by flagging. This is also a place to meet/find your runner and to observe runners in various emotional and physical states. Keep your hands up, keep breathing, keep walking.