74 days until the most important race of my life.

what? race is this? some state HS champs race?

ekiden wrote:

what? race is this? some state HS champs race?

Correct.

As they taught us coaches in Cliche 101:

"Don't count the days; make they days count."

And don't get over-invested in 700 miles in 74 days. Train to race, not to put numbers in a log.

*the days

Nerts.

mileage is cool but i would say :

1. get sleep

2. work on your time management, to reduce stress as you get closer from finals

3. don't get sick, use purell, wash your hands

4. stretch

5. cut out junk food

6. no chicks, or if you are a chick no dudes or if your gay, well you understand

7. no pick up games, no soccer basketball tag or bouldering

these are seriously the top things I have seen sideline hs runners.

after that work on:

long repeats (1000m 1200m mile) hills. and tempos.

you will be the toughest mf around

great hs runners are created through consistency.

ps I am old and was 5th at my state meet over a decade ago.

jorvack wrote:

7. no pick up games, no soccer basketball tag or bouldering

these are seriously the top things I have seen sideline hs runners.

BOY is this right. The last couple weeks of the season, when you're backing off a bit and flooded with energy, is *not* the time to "burn off" your nervousness with other activities, including impromptu wrestling matches (lost a guy that way once).

The concept is that, as you become supremely adapted toward a single thing (running fast cross races), you have *less* resistance toward every other stressor. So keep a regular schedule, including going to bed about the same time every night (weekends included). Don't start any new activity, particularly anything that's primarily physical, in those last two weeks. Don't go camping on your weekend off between championship races (lost three guys that way). Don't break up with your SO, or, in the alternative, try to find a SO. Avoid ODing on stress foods like soda and chocolate (especially with the caffeine they have). Just keep everything on an even keel.

If you just "have to" do something, make it something that's quiet and safe. Maybe go to a movie (early show, so you don't get in a fight with some loudmouthed jerk on his cellphone), or even (*gasp*) work ahead on your homework a little--that by itself should put you to sleep...

740 miles...10 miles a day. Nice and neat. 74 days of celibacy also might help.

jorvack wrote:

6. no chicks...

I find it hard to believe that the OP's race is that important.

lease wrote:

The concept is that, as you become supremely adapted toward a single thing (running fast cross races), you have *less* resistance toward every other stressor. So keep a regular schedule, including going to bed about the same time every night (weekends included). ...If you just "have to" do something, make it something that's quiet and safe. Maybe go to a movie (early show, so you don't get in a fight with some loudmouthed jerk on his cellphone), or even (*gasp*) work ahead on your homework a little--that by itself should put you to sleep...

this kind of stuff is total BS. I ran on a very competitive D1 team with many all americans, a national champ, a footlocker champ, etc... I also had some success myself. Neither I, nor these guys, did any better when we got all uptight about everything like this.

if you enjoy going to bed early every night and laying low, then by all means do it.

if you hate missing out on life, then please don't miss out on your youth.

the bottom line is you should be smart, and that means finding the balance that is optimal for you. You absolutely need to get your rest, maintain a decent diet, and and do your traning. but you DO NOT have to live like a hermit if it makes you unhappy.

wait, "unhappy" was the wrong word to end with there. I should say "uptight."

jjjjust shut it wrote:

the bottom line is you should be smart, and that means finding the balance that is optimal for you. You absolutely need to get your rest, maintain a decent diet, [] and do your [training]. but you DO NOT have to live like a hermit if it makes you [uptight].

Agreed. Note that my remarks were really directed toward *the last two weeks of the season*, when workouts are finally cutting back and people start to get "jumpy"--and then sometimes do dumb stuff. For two weeks, a person can put the dumb stuff on hold.

Living the "hermit" life *long-term* could just turn into another source of stress!

I think you need to recheck the calendar there. I believe The Cup is still a bit over 100 days away. Keep the training up and I hope to see you there. Did you get your qualifier in?