I have an xc race scheduled in about 5 weeks and ran a race on the same course this weekend. I wasnt expecting a huge pace difference but the first mile was pretty slow and then the 2nd was alot faster than I was prepared/able to run so lets just say I lost contact with the main pack and didnt finish where I wanted to. I want to do well at the next race here on the course so I want to train to be ready for this huge pace difference. So I was thinking about doing a tempo where I alternate a steady pace for a mile then a fast pace, then steady then fast... Or do mile or 2ks repeats one at 10k race pace then the next at 5k pace. Does this seem logical? Or do you guys have any other advice? I am still doing steady mileage and also I am going to have another workout day of faster stuff to get the legs going. Thanks in advance.