What should i be trying to do to improve my first year of xc? This is my first year running XC, last year I ran track and I did a lot of practice with distance team but still had slow time. During conditioning for XC my first recorded time for 5k is a 25 but I ran a 28 in local 5k race and I knew that I can do better, I believe I was dehydrated during the race tho.

What should I try to set my goal this season and what should I be practicing on my own?