Starting to stagnate: is sub 16 possible?

High School Running

3 years ago 10/03/2020 7:05am EDT

Junior year PR was 17:3x. Trained 50-60 mpw all through quarantine and summer leading into my senior year, which was WAY more than I have ever done. Luckily we're having meets so here is my time progression this season:

16:48

16:39

16:08

16:10

Obviously I should be happy with where I'm at compared to last year, but these last two meets frustrated me. The first was an invitational with the best competition I'll have all season. I really prepared myself for it, but I only ran 16:10. I understand PRs have to stop somewhere, but I felt ready for something big. The second meet was on one of the fastest courses in the nation and I had tapered my mileage to try and peak for this one. Problem is I was in the slow heat and won but just couldn't push myself to break 16 by myself. This last one kind of killed my confidence, and we only have 3 meets left this season. Has anyone been in a similar situation before and was there a mentality or training switch that pushed you over your goal line or is this realistically the times I am at for this season?

3 years ago 10/03/2020 7:11am EDT

re: frustrated HS

Way to put in the work over this past summer.

I would say that setting your goal for sub 16 was very ambitious, but it is good to set ambitious goals sometimes. You may be able to get one of these last three meets, but only time will tell.

I know it is hard to say, but I would be happy with the progress you have made in just one year, and race these last three like an animal and dig as deep as possible.

3 years ago 10/03/2020 9:11am EDT

re: coleiolio

coleiolio wrote:
Way to put in the work over this past summer.
I would say that setting your goal for sub 16 was very ambitious, but it is good to set ambitious goals sometimes. You may be able to get one of these last three meets, but only time will tell.
I know it is hard to say, but I would be happy with the progress you have made in just one year, and race these last three like an animal and dig as deep as possible.

Thanks for the response. Sub 16 was a pipe dream at the beginning of the season, but after I dropped down so quickly it became more of a reality. You're right, I shouldn't worry about the time and just give it all I got at the end of this season

3 years ago 10/03/2020 12:48pm EDT

re: frustrated HS

I think you can do it! That being said, you should realize times in XC shouldn’t matter as much as placement.

My senior year of HS XC, me and the guys all decided we’d start tracking our races on Strava, As our times were very inconsistent but we all felt our efforts were pretty consistent. We found that some races were only 2.9 miles when listed as 5k, and one was as long as 3.3 (which will add more than a minute to your time!)

3 years ago 10/17/2020 7:45pm EDT

re: frustrated HS

Update: ran 15:56 today :)

Thanks for the advice, I just went out there relaxed and not really caring if I broke the time goal, and look what happened!

3 years ago 10/17/2020 7:54pm EDT

re: frustrated HS

3 years ago 10/18/2020 12:03am EDT

re: frustrated HS

Lol nice bro haha

That's crazy how much you dropped your time

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