So this year I've been trying to walk on my college's XC team. I came in with a 16:46 PR, although pretty much everyone on the team is in sub 16 shape or better. However, there was room so I've been training with the team for the past ~6 weeks. My concern is this: this summer I ran my easy runs at around 7:30 pace, now most of them are 6:40ish pace so I can stay with the guys on the team. Then I struggle when we have a workout day because while I wouldn't be able to keep up with these guys running intervals in the first place, it's even worse because of the fact I'm coming in to the workout more worn out than they are.
It's not an issue of pride, I can handle not being up there with them on workouts, but it's hard to know if I'm actually getting better or worse with my training like this. Part of me thought training with faster guys would eventually bring me up closer to their level, the other part of me thinks of all the elites that take their easy runs leisurely so they're fresh and ready for the "real" workouts.
I've only had one race so far to "measure" myself, and it didn't go well. However, I was probably still adjusting to the training as it was only 2 weeks in, and it was a pretty hot day.
FWIW it's been 70-80mpw, generally 7 days a week, with 2 workouts a week and a couple short doubles (ex. 9/3).