Old and fast wrote:
4xmile on 2:30 rest is right at 5k pace. This put her at 15:30 shape at the time she completed it.
You don't understand the point. 10 months ago she did this workout (which is VERY tough for any female HS girl, regardless of ability), in the middle of a tough training block with crazy long runs, high mileage, and killer hill sessions. She then time-trialed a 9:39 2-mile not soon after. People here hyper her like crazy, saying she will destroy everything in the future.
Now, 10 months later - 15:56 in a 5k race. Is that a healthy progression? If she was in 15:30 shape back then (which the workout and 9:39 2M kinda certify), wouldn't it be a good development if she was in 15:15 or so shape now and not closer to 16 min? I'm afraid she got burned out with the hard/crazy training the coaches prescribed her, they realized her talent and wanted quick result, neglecting long-term development (or simply not knowing better). As a result, she inevitably got worse now because that intensity just isn't sustainable. She also had very hard injuries already back then, the coaches are abusing her talent and letting her train way too hard instead of gradually bringing her up and allowing her to get even better in college.
I hate this American philosophy of many HS coaches to just care about quick success, training at an intense level but not thinking about the long-term development of their athletes.
Look at Grant Fisher - that's how you train someone in HS, low mileage, no anaerobic speed work, just gradual development and letting his talent do his job. Then, college coach had it very easy to bring him to an even higher level, despite being at the most academically demanding school by far.