Cross-country running is a convenient way to explore while still building one’s physique, although exhausting the reward is worth the initial pain.
In addition, asking the right and witty questions to runners can be a way to have them relish the experience, and knowing the correct way to pose your question also matters.
I have compiled a list of 20 hilarious and right questions to ask a friend, colleague, or significant other about their cross-country runner without sounding intimidating.
1. How was your experience?
Asking a cross-country runner about their experience is one way to get these athletes to share their moment on the course and for some of them, this moment means a lot to them.
By asking them about their experience, you hint at the need to know about their welfare and how the journey on the track was.
To get a better glimpse of its usage, try these examples:
- Do you mind telling me about your experience as a cross-country runner?
- Hello Mr/Mrs. Sorry for bugging you, but I wish to engage you in a conversation about your experience as a cross-country runner
2. Was it that hard?
The question ‘Is it that hard’ is a way to inquire about the sport. Unlike the first option where you want to know about their experience, this question seeks to know how tough being a cross-country runner can be.
In preparation for a general overview of the sport, the question ‘Is it that hard’ comes in handy to help you decide if it is worth chasing as a sport or trying something else.
For example, you can say:
- I heard that cross-country is difficult. Is it that hard?
- One day I may be a cross-country runner, but I want to know if it’s that hard.
3. What did you see?
Cross-country by default is an outdoor game, where runners traverse woodlands, grassland, and other places of nature, which doubles as a sight-seeing experience.
If you want to engage these runners in a conversation, then asking to know what they say is a good place to start. You awaken their sense of adventure while feeding your eyes with tales of their exploits.
For example, you can say:
- You must have had a wonderful experience as a cross-country runner. Tell me what you saw.
- When you ran through the woodland, did you get to see any animals? I am eager to know what you saw.
4. Did you make any friends?
This brings us to the core of the game of cross-country; connection. Since the sport is a collective sport (although individuals can go cross-country personally if they wish) making friends and keeping contact right after the game is very possible.
Therefore, asking an athlete if they made any friends is a good way to know about their experience.
For example:
- When you were running, did you get to make any friends?
- Tell me you did get to make new friends on course during your race.
5. Did it whet your appetite?
For runners, seeking to try a new thrill, asking them cross-country whet their appetite is a great way to listen to their exploration.
These lovers of adventure will gladly want to tell you about their quest, from start to finish, and don’t be surprised if their tale comes with some exaggerations.
You can start with these instances:
- Why do I feel you enjoyed your race? Did it whet your appetite?
- You seemed very excited since you came back from your cross-country trip. Tell me, did it whet your appetite?
6. Can you teach us?
Do you want to learn to run cross-country with no idea how to go about it? Worry less, asking a Cross-Country runner will help you make an informed decision.
The question ‘Can you teach us’ shows you are a willing learner and someone who has a passion for the sport, and will have your instructor waste no time in showing you the ropes of the sport, all you need to do is ask it right.
Here are some examples to guide you through making the demand:
- Sir/Ma’am, it will be a great honor to have you teach our team the sport. Can you teach us, ma’am?
- We will be happy if you can spare some time off your schedule to teach us cross-country sir/ma.
7. Who else do you remember running with you?
The reason for the question arises from the fact that the athlete may have misplaced something valuable and while searching, not remembering, they left it on the course.
You can help them hasten their search by asking them who else they remembered running with them during the race to refresh their memory about where they might have kept the missing object.
You can ask this question when keen to know the runners hoping that you may recognize someone your speaker might mention.
For example:
- Who else do you remember running with you before you misplaced the bracelet?
- While running, can you remember those around you who partook in the race?
8. Can I participate in the next race?
Ask this question to signify your interest in joining runners in a future cross-country.
By hearing from the horse’s mouth about a future slot for a new athlete, you save yourself the hurdles of not knowing what and how to prepare. Your cross-country runner friend will oblige to give you all the details of your participation.
Start by asking in this manner:
- I have that the competition will be accepting new intakes. Can I participate in the next race?
- Is now the right time to participate in the race?
9. How long did it take to finish the course?
Another interesting question to ask a cross-country runner is knowing how long it will take to finish a course because you want to use the response given for informational or statistical purposes, your CC friend will gladly provide answers if they remember how long it took them to run.
Here’s an idea of how to ask the question:
- May I know how long it took to finish the course?
- This is just for an informational purpose my friend, but I want to know how long it took to finish the course.
10. What will you need to improve?
The good thing about asking this question to a cross-country runner is that you show care and compassion for them to improve in their craft and become skilled.
As a list of funny questions to ask a cross-country runner, this question calls for a reflection by your athlete to do better and improve in their skill to have their legacy etched in the sand of time.
For example:
- It’s good that you want to improve, but how do you intend to go about it?
- You may have won the race, but you need to ask yourself the question; ‘what do I need to improve?’
11. Would you try another sport?
Asking a cross-country runner if they will want to try another sport hints at you being sarcastic, concerned, or just silly.
When trying to be sarcastic, it means that for the number of times your CC runners have been in a race; they have never at any point won a trophy, hence you suggesting they try something else.
When being silly, you’d ask if you notice that your CC athlete is clumsy on the course or isn’t fit to engage in the sport.
For example:
- Jokes apart, don’t you think it’s high time you try another sport, Cross-country isn’t for you.
- No offense, but think about it, your wobbly legs engaging in cross-country. Don’t you think you should try another sport?
12. How would you rate your running skills?
This self-evaluating form of a question is a way to tell your CC runner that they should aim for mastery and not rest on their oars if they want to make a mark on the sport.
Neither is the question condescending nor is it embarrassing (if asked with courtesy), instead the question is a heart-felt caring way to make someone know that they need to improve.
Here’s a hint:
- I like the fact that you keep working on yourself. How would you rate your running skills now?
- Don’t get carried away by the flattery. Do a deep soul-searching and ask yourself if your running skill is where you want it at.
13. Have you gained any exposure?
For CC hobbyists other than professional athletes, this question is a handy way to know if they have soaked up experience worth sharing.
If this is the case, you will find your Cross-Country runner warm up to you with details of their exploits and how running has broadened their knowledge bank.
For example:
- What will you say is your biggest exposure gained from running Cross-country?
- I am confident you have gained exposure from running Cross-country, haven’t you?
14. What advice would you give to prospective runners?
Draw from the wealth of experience of professional runners who have gained reputation and influence by asking them for their advice.
Doing so puts you at an advantage over other newbies wanting to engage in cross-country as with the wealth of knowledge you’d get, it will be tailor-made to suit your personality and style of running.
For example:
- As a veteran in cross-country racing, what advice would you give to prospective runners?
- It is such an honor to have you in our midst, may I ask; what advice would you give to prospective runners looking to make a career in Cross-country?
15. Share some tips, please
You’d need the suggestion and tips from a pro if cross-country catches your fancy and there is no better way to engage a CC runner than asking for their two cents.
By asking for pro tips and tidbits, you have the basic resources needed to embark on your journey to becoming an athlete.
For a start, use this:
- We’d love your suggestions, please share some tips.
- We can’t thank you enough, and on a final note, could you be kind enough to share some tips on Cross-country?
16. What would you like to have?
The exhaustion and stress of running cross country for a CC runner demands that upon the completion of the race, they take something to revitalize them, hence the question ‘What would you like to have’.
When you ask an athlete what they want to have, the perception you build about yourself to them becomes one that is considerate, compassionate, and caring such that they will be very willing to tell you whatever it is you need to know to become a cross-country runner.
For example:
- I see how exhausted you are. Could you tell me what you’d like to have and let me get it?
- I empathize with you and the stress of running. Please tell me what you’d like to have and I will make it available.
17. What’s the next adventure?
Like exploring, cross-country is an adventurous sport, and seeking to know the next big course your favorite athlete will take on is a way to get them to become your friend for a long time.
By asking what the next adventure will be, these athletes regard you as a loyal fan and will do everything within their end to keep in contact with you, further fostering your relationship.
For example:
- You’ve just run the course at Minnesota. What’s your next adventure Sir/Ma?
- I have been keeping track of your races sir/ma’am and would like to know where your next adventure will be.
18. Would you want to rest?
Think of this question as a health check on your favorite sportsperson. Say they’ve just run a long course, and the race has ended, asking them if they would like to rest cuts out the hassle of finding a place to cool off.
For example:
- The race is still ongoing. However, I have a place where you can rest if you want to.
- You look exhausted. Would you want to rest?
19. What’s your favorite course?
Looking to start up a conversation with a cross-country runner and at a loss for where to begin? Try the question ‘What’s your favorite course?’ and watch them speak to you like a well-known friend.
One good thing about the question is that it relates to the runner’s specialty and the popular belief that asking questions regarding other’s careers fosters a deeper connection than just starting with random topics.
- Hello, you are one of my biggest fans, do you mind telling me what your favorite course is in cross-country?
20. Is there a winner?
No better way to wrap this piece up than by posing the question ‘Is there a winner’ right after a competition is over? Asking this question fosters anticipation and eagerness while still making room for genuine connection.
Here’s a hint to using the statement:
- The race has ended already. Do we have a winner?
- Are you waiting for the announcement of the winner?
These options suggested are not an exhaustive list of the various questions to ask cross-country runners, other ways to do so abound, but for a start, the option proffered here will help.
Choose from the list above and have your athlete smiling at every word you use. Bookmark this page and ensure to visit anytime you are at a loss on the list of funny questions to ask cross-country runners.