high 5k question

high 5k question

Post by sid » Mon, 28 Sep 1998 04:00:00


I trained descent over the summer, but in this years cross country season I
have had a very up and down season.  I ran in the low-19:00s last year, this
year I ran only one race in the low 19:00s and all the other races have been
reeeeeeaaaaaalllllly slow(so slow, I've run like 5 miles before at this
pace). I just start feeling tired when I run in the races and in practice I
do well. This is very frustrating, I used to be no.3 on varsity, now I am on
J.V., I know I can run faster than almost all the runners on my team, but my
legs just run well sometimes and not so well other times. What's going on?
 
 
 

high 5k question

Post by hoffma » Mon, 28 Sep 1998 04:00:00

Quote:
> This is very frustrating, I used to be no.3 on varsity, now
> I am on J.V., I know I can run faster than almost all the
> runners on my team, but my legs just run well sometimes
> and not so well other times. What's going on?

Well first, I'll just point out what many have said here
at one time or another.. Sometimes you feel good running,
sometimes you don't?? Many people have tried to figure
out why that is, but I dont think the "why" really matters..
Like many others have said... some days your legs
can "feel like lead" and you end up with a personal
best time.  Other times you think you feel great, and
you get a bad or average time.. go figure.. Some people
really have a problem with this (like me). Many people
feel good each day.. many people feel different each day..
it could be due to diet, or lack or sleep - or whatever -
that accounts for the inconsistencies on a daily basis.

So if thats your problem... I dont know.. I just say
"accept it" and try to do your best each time.

However, I suspect your problem is different. You say
you do fine in practice, but not so hot in races. That
rings some bells for me...  

First question..
  Are you the type of person who finds it difficult to sprint
at the start of the race?  I've always had this problem..
the beginning sprint would just kill me and I'd want to quit
after about 1 minutes until I settled into my groove. I dont
think there is much that you can reasonably do about this.
At least not immediately..  Some people can do this,
some people cant.. I just say leave it at that, and hang
back in the sprint pack.. You'll conserve your energy and
will be able to keep up a better pace for the entire race.

Second question..
  Are you finding the terrain difficult?  Does your
cross-country course have some decent sized
hills?  That could be your problem. Many coaches
dont often train the team on the same course on which
they race.. The team often trains on the roads or at a local
park by the school which is usually flatter and easier to run
than the cross country courses...  Perhaps you should spend
some time on your own (such as on Saturday or Sunday)
running on your teams cross country course. Spend
another 1 or 2 days during Monday - Friday finding some
hills around your house.. Run up and down the hills
to get used to them.

These are probably the two most common problems,
I cant think of anything else now.. not without more
details..

You should tell us why it is that you think your not doing
as well in the races..  Running with a crowd is hard
for some people.. Some people are just better doing
things their own way..  and when forced to run with other
people, the other people kinda force you to do things which
your not comfortable doing (such as the sprint at the beginning
of a race).

 
 
 

high 5k question

Post by sid » Mon, 28 Sep 1998 04:00:00

My problem might be that i am running hard every day instead of
hard-easy.Also, the sprint in the start of races really screws my pace up, I
am used to running an even pace during practice.

 
 
 

high 5k question

Post by Mike Wilco » Tue, 29 Sep 1998 04:00:00

Quote:
>My problem might be that i am running hard every day instead of
>hard-easy.Also, the sprint in the start of races really screws my pace up,
I
>am used to running an even pace during practice.

Both points can be (allegedly) common problems: many don't run hard days
hard enough and easy days easy enough. Use your log to make sure that you
have at least a day of recovery for every hard session. Remember to limit
the number of speed sessions as well. If you do them well enough, 2 a week
is a max really until you become *extremely* good and 2 simply isn't enough.

I remember reading of one club which, once a week, would warm up as usual.
Then do a long run by sprinting first  to get into oxygen debt and then
running as normal for the rest - struggling for breath. This simulates a
race. Allegedly it gave them a big psychologicical edge as they were used to
racing like this.

Hope this helps

Mike Wilcox

 
 
 

high 5k question

Post by sid » Wed, 30 Sep 1998 04:00:00

cross country races are tough unless you have some confidence