Covid-19 school closings provide great opportunities for H.S. elites to run faster times than they would normally

Yep, its similar to a pro setup although there is still studying to be done. For the disciplined runner and most elite runners are, the training is far more efficient than with their hs team and they can do it early in the day and nap in the afternoon.

The smart athletes are using this time to build a monster base for XC season. I am expecting to see some deeper fields and really fast times this coming fall.

Portland Hobby Jogger wrote:

The smart athletes are using this time to build a monster base for XC season. I am expecting to see some deeper fields and really fast times this coming fall.

Yep, that's the plan around here. Can't wait.

I'd rather have results from actual races than TTs that don't count.

I don't recall HS being as stressful as you make it out to be.

Portland Hobby Jogger wrote:

The smart athletes are using this time to build a monster base for XC season. I am expecting to see some deeper fields and really fast times this coming fall.

Yeah that will look real smart when the XC season gets cancelled

SDSU Aztec wrote:

I'd rather have results from actual races than TTs that don't count.

I don't recall HS being as stressful as you make it out to be.

I guess it depends on who you are.

SDSU Aztec wrote:

I'd rather have results from actual races than TTs that don't count.

I don't recall HS being as stressful as you make it out to be.

HS became extremely stressful sometime around the early 2000s/late 1990s. Before then, being smart or good at a sport guaranteed college. Now everyone plays a sport and there are tons of smart people. Something as simple as a single b on a transcript could keep a good student from going to the top universities, unless they had 1600 sat. Tons of people are taking a schedule of all ap or dual enrollment classes and in the past few years its gotten even worse. HS today is way more stressful than college was for me at one of the best universities in the nation. This may not be true for the average student, but for those on the top end, where they get into college means a life of success or a life of failure.

OK, I believe you in that HS is more difficult than when I attended.

What is this life of success or failure? I work with a woman that is extremely smart and successful. She didn't have the money to attend the Ivy League schools that all LRers graduated from. She worked part-time and attended American River college and then Sac State. You're saying that if she was graduating from HS now, she might as well just put a bullet in her brain?

As for the TTs, they just don't count. They won't be included in The Track and Field News Lists and shouldn't even be considered as school records.

Fortnite

Intervals

Mom's dinner

Instagram

Repeat

This is a stupid thread. One of the biggest problems with high school distance running in the US is the obsession with times... specifically the ‘sub-4 mile’.

That kind of focus on time trialing and rabbited races leads to athletes that (a) don’t know how to race tactically, and (b) often overestimate their abilities relative to athletes that don’t have a 3:XX next to their name. Once they start losing to supposedly “slower” athletes, it drags down their self confidence and starts a downward spiral.

Exhibit A: Alan Webb. A great high school record that was set in a rabbited pro race, and an American record PR of 3:46 set in basically a solo time trial, but never won (or even came close to) a global title.

Exhibit B: Matt Centrowitz. Didn’t focus on time trials in high school. Won races tactically. Honed his championship racing tactics, won Olympic Gold.

I’d rather have Centro’s career, and I’d rather we have more Centros in the USA than Webbs.

Grassrunner wrote:

Their training time is not restricted by time constraints of school hours, study time, commuting, other commitments.

They are not dealing with the stresses of school and school related responsibilities, time commitments, etc.

They have more down time for sleep, recovery, massage, supplemental exercises, relaxation, etc.

They can more optimally pick and choose when they want to run time trials based on factors such as training progress, weather reports, available pacers, etc.

They have more opportunities to plan for optimal TT race efforts due to not having to adhere to a structured racing schedule.

They can run more high quality time trials due to absence of tactical races, crowded fields, etc. (due to absence of races).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bull. There is no substitution for competition.

I agree. But runners lost their season and don't know about the future. We only get one chance to hit our peak and nobody knows when that is so if you are 18 or 20 or 22, it may be today. I normally wouldn't advocate for time trials but I have no problem with it today.

They count for PRs but not for records.

Some schools are counting them.

What do you mean we don't have to worry about school or studying? Where I live we still have online school and have to finish our assignments (unless we want to be put in mandatory online summer school and make up for it then), and we've got AP exams starting this week.

I'd love to have some of this unlimited free time to dedicate to running that you speak of.

By the way, running PRs during solo time trials? Not likely. And for those of us who aren't super-famous and don't have people willing to unlock tracks for us, we've got to run those time trials in public areas that are full of pedestrians, bikers who don't know how to use a bike lane instead of a sidewalk, and drivers who pay attention to nothing and no one around them.

So PRs are still possible, obviously, but are a lot more difficult. I certainly wouldn't say anyone in high school has been given a "great opportunity" to run faster than normal.

Nothing wrong with Time Trials ... But be sure to get it recorded on video (like footballers do) ... it may be unofficial, but I guarantee you college coaches are also watching as much as anyone. They aren't stupid - anyone can determine whether or not someone has potential - even with TTs. So, take advantage of this unique "off" time, find good pacers and go for it!

70+ miles a week and 1 hr+ cycling everyday, if that doesnt get me far this next season its bc of injury

I firmly do not believe this is a less stressful time for the vast majority of high schoolers than the pre-COVID era. Sure, they don't have to GO to school. And they no longer enjoy social time with their friends there (or anywhere), and from what I hear most students are dealing with extra busywork from teachers who have no idea how to fill the time. Add to that, high schoolers today have absolutely no idea what to expect from the future of the world they are about to be thrust into (from their perspective). And, are current high-school runners motivated to the programs and institutions that may not exist or come back in a recognizable form?

I think all of these elements would negatively impact my training as a high schooler. There are always those folks whose narrow view prevents them from worrying or thinking about such far-reaching global events, and I gotta hand it to them. I wish I could do that sometimes. I don't think very many people who can, though.

On the other hand, they have more time to train. So if a high schooler's mentality is unaffected, they could perhaps put away some great training. But I'm not sure that COVID will make many people better runners, let alone high schoolers anxious about the world and their future.

GarminGuy wrote:

if that doesnt get me far this next season its bc of injury

The season being cancelled is not on your list of possible setbacks?