I don’t want to run in college

Do this as a favor to your would-be teammates as well. We had 2 guys on full scholarship who had zero commitment to the sport & it was cancerous to the team. Couldn’t be bothered go show up to practice on time, absolutely pathetic attitudes at workouts & turned in decent race results purely pulled off of talent alone. I was never in position to get one but our #3 and #4 guys rightfully had a major blowup at the coaches at one point for not gaining a scholarship over 2 full ride guys who they’d beaten handily in all but 1 xc meet that year. Few things are as toxic to a team culture as a checked-out full rider.

nothing wrong with not running in college. unless if you're fast enough to go pro, most of you guys won't ever make a career off of running. if you're a 4:05-4:10 in the 1600 by your senior year in high school, your only shot at making a living off of running is to become a social media star via youtube and instagram and make tips, tricks, vlogs, and maybe see if you can get some sponsorships from some start up running hobby company (sweat bands, caffeine energy supplements, smartwatch app, fanny pack for your phone/keys, recovery bars, whey protein, etc)

If running is your one and only ticket to getting into college and being able to pay for it, think long and hard about it. If getting into college and paying for it is not an issue (good grades, rich family, academic scholarship, poor enough to get lots of need-based grants and scholarships, whatever), do what makes you happy. FWIW I even knew a couple of guys in your boat who went to community college or straight to work (became an electrician, makes good money), kept up the running, and qualified for the Olympic Trials marathon.

My advice: If you don't think you want to run in college, don't do it your first year. If you find you miss competitive running and being on a team, you are definitely fast enough to find a home at another college or at your school's club team. There are more important things in life than running, and you might be finding that out earlier than most of us. Good luck in whatever you do!

Triathlon and cycling take up too much of your time. This might not be a good mix.

For the most part running in college, D1,2 or 3 is highly overrated. Most former HS studs and State Champions are shocked when they go to their first meet only to find absolutely no one in the stands cheering them on, even when the top schools are attending. Except for Drake, Penn, Heps, and nationals, their is very little fan support and it can be a total drag to lay it on the line meet after meet with no one except the random set of parents attending. It will seem cool at first to get free shoes and kits but that will wear off right away. You will miss out on the typical Freshman fun that happens the first month of school away from home because you will be running your ass off. You will probably get injured more than you did in HS and you will be shocked when half of your teammates are injured too. Except for places like CU or NAU no one will be that impressed that you are on the XC/Tack team...even your profs who are runners!

If you already have the feeling that you don't want to run, then follow that instinct and don't! Join a ski club or frat w intramurals or the Triathlon team instead! You will have way more fun and can still show off your athletic skills!