I’m going to assume that if you’re reading this, you’re a planner. You and I can relate for sure! I like to be in the know before going somewhere new. The night before my son’s first cross-country meet, I was so nervous. I knew it wasn’t going to be like your typical YMCA soccer, football, or basketball game. This was something completely new to me, and I couldn’t find ANYTHING to help me truly prepare. The only thing I found was advice on how to prepare your runner for their first meet. That’s good to know, but HOW DO I PREPARE? They have a coach to ask questions to! LOL

I was able to get some information from the parents at the first team dinner, but I still wasn’t as prepared as I would’ve liked. So, here’s what I learned from my first cross-country meet and the products I’ve found helpful!

(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting BeyondBonusMom.blog!)

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WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES!

This is not an event you can leave straight from work for without changing out of your business-casual clothes. I usually bring extra clothes with me to work so I can change before heading to the meet. You’ll be moving around a lot, so a t-shirt and shorts or leggings will be appropriate. Definitely check the weather before leaving, too! I’m from Kansas, where the weather can change on a dime. I typically keep a sweatshirt in my car, but that’s not a necessity.

If you weren’t able to order a team shirt or want extras to cycle through, I recommend this one https://amzn.to/4dnVunT (Amazon). The price is comparable to others, and they have several colors to choose from!

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BRING YOUR RUNNING SHOES

These cross-country parents are no joke. THEY RUN! Your time is valuable, and if you want to get the most out of being at the meet, you’ll want to move to different locations to cheer on your runner. Some courses are better for spectators than others, but you’ll still be on the move! If your runner is fast, you have to be just as fast!

At the team dinner, the parents said, “This is the only sport where the parents have to be in shape, too.” I initially laughed it off, but they weren’t kidding! It’s not a requirement to run, but like I said earlier, if you don’t, you might feel like you wasted your time.

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EMERGENCY GO BAG

The day before the meet, I ran to Walmart and grabbed travel-size essentials. You can use a small makeup bag. I put a little more in mine, so I opted for a medium see-through fanny pack like this one here https://amzn.to/4e0y9cM (Amazon). A see-through bag isn’t a requirement, but if I’m in a rush to grab something, I want to see it before opening the bag. Below are the items I put in my emergency go bag:

• Portable charger
• Cash
• First aid kit
• Tissues
• Clorox wipes
• Trash bag or grocery sack (for trash if there’s no bin nearby)
• Extra hair ties
• Sunscreen
• Lotion

You may not use all of these, but I’d rather have them and not need them than need them and not have them. Customizing your list is recommended.

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UMBRELLA

This one seems like a no-brainer, but it wasn’t something I thought of. I take an umbrella even if there’s no rain in the forecast. Sometimes the course has little shade, and using an umbrella can be helpful for hiding from the sun.

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TRIPOD

This is also not required, but my husband and I aren’t always able to attend meets together. I found an app called GameChanger. I can stream his run live, give updates, and keep his stats all in one app. I use this tripod https://amzn.to/3ZpZRvh (Amazon) to stand it up when my runner is in a spot I can’t reach. This way, I don’t have to hold my phone in a weird position or awkwardly show my feet. My husband also mentioned that when my phone is on the tripod and I run, the footage isn’t as shaky.

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BAG

You’re probably wondering where I keep all this stuff. It won’t all fit in the fanny pack. I take a regular backpack because I carry a lot of extra things (umbrella, tripod, etc.). I see a lot of moms using something like this https://amzn.to/3MLLAkV (Amazon). They’re cute, but I worry about not having enough space.

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DON’T WORRY ABOUT A CHAIR

Don’t waste time bringing a chair—you won’t have time to sit in it. There’s so much going on that you’ll constantly be on the move. After your runner is done, you might sit, but I like to run and cheer on the rest of the team. It’s all about how you make it. The only time you’ll really have to sit is when waiting on medals.

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WATER

Finally, I highly recommend bringing a water bottle. This might seem obvious, but it’s worth its own point. You’ll want it—trust me!

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POST-RACE TIPS

If having a runner or an athlete as a child is new to you, it’s important to understand how your runner might react after a meet. They’ve just exerted themselves and likely gave it everything they had, so don’t expect them to come over and chat with you immediately after the race. They’ll need time to catch their breath.

Keep your post-race interaction short. They’ll need to cool down properly, which usually involves walking around to avoid cramps. Encourage them to drink water and stretch, then give them space to cool down. You can have a longer conversation once they’ve recovered.

Make sure to stick around for the medal ceremonies, even if your runner doesn’t place. It can motivate them and give them a goal to aim for next time.

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Final Thoughts

Cross-country meets are an exciting experience, both for the runners and the spectators. With a little preparation, you’ll be able to fully enjoy cheering on your athlete and supporting the team. Each meet is an opportunity to learn, grow, and build memories—so get ready to be on the move and embrace the adventure! If you have any tips or experiences from your first meet, feel free to share them in the comments. I’d love to hear how you prepared or what surprised you most!

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“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting BeyondBonusMom.blog!