I'm from the northwest and I am a decent female hs runner but nothing amazing. i ran 70 mpw over the summer and my PRs are all right for that sort of mileage. I really want to keep running in college though. Are there any d1 schools out there known for running higher mileage (I would fit in better there) and are known for developing runners? I dont mind if I have to be a walk on. Obviously the 2 top schools in the northwest are probably out of reach for me...
You run 70 mpw and your PRs are only 'alright'? Are you not doing something right, like not recovering well (easy days too hard) or not getting enough energy/iron? That kind of mileage should make you better, if not one of the best (if you have the talent), but maybe something isn't going right or you need to cut back/add in more quality.
I have been doing my easy days by feel and I take iron supplements. I just dont have that much talent... i started out at a 24-25 min 5k in the beginning of my hs career and its only through this mileage that i have gotten down to something decent.
I wouldn't worry about the top two schools in the NW, as they don't develop runners.
Have a look at Providence and Portland.
How fast do you need to be to walk on there? i know Providence is pretty good... got some good recruits too. Also Im not sure if I want to go all the way to the east coast (expenses)
words of wisdom wrote:
You run 70 mpw and your PRs are only 'alright'?
You run 70 mpw and your PRs are 'alright' "for that kind of mileage"... Your answer is fundamentally flawed; look at the relevant phrase here. If 70mpw would make a runner 'one of the best', then "alright for that kind of mileage" would imply 'one of the best.
I happen to think that 70mpw over the summer will not make someone 'one of the best', as many thousands of HS girls can run that mileage and a number do; they aren't all one of the best. It is more than most HS girls run, but many do run that much and many more boys do without doing great. There were times WWWAAAYYY back when when I ran 70mpw and I hardly made the JV squad (and yet had enough talent eventually to run 2:35s for a marathon).
I said one of the best, IF you have the talent. This girl doesn't sound like she has the talent, and is compensating by doing more mileage to be 'above average'. The bottom line is D1 is for talented runners who are already there, know how to win, and want to win. A coach is going to be unimpressed if you're putting in that kind of mileage to only be 'alright'. Going D2 would be a better option for someone who maybe hasn't blossomed yet, but has the work ethic and potential.
(Good for you, but I wouldn't waste my time running that kind of mileage to just make the JV team. Find something else where you're the best.)
you should seriously consider WWU if you are looking to stay in the NW. Strong womens team, emphasis on mileage, and excellent trails and running environment.
Colorado
thank you for the posts. I am looking at WWU... i hear colorado is high mileage... very good team though, how tough are walk on standards?
rather than say 'what schools are known for high mileage', I think you have to look at the individual coach and what training philosophy he/she embraces. It changes through the years and decades. A high mileage school could be a low mileage school with a change in the distance coach. As they say; 'Follow the money' (coach), to find out.
If a coach knows that you've handled high mileage, he/she may continue to work you that way if it seems that's your best route. The critical factor is the relationship with the coach and the lines of communication and sharing.
There are such coaches working out there who talk with their athletes, not at them.
WWU is a great place if you want the opportunity to develop as a runner and have a post-season. The women's team is becoming one of the top D2 teams in cross country with moderately talented high school runners. It's a good state school too.
I pr'd at 16:37 in high school running mid 30 mile weeks, I'm now running in a DIII program and couldn't be happier. There's no sense going somewhere you'll never see the light of varsity
If you're willing to consider NAIA, perhaps you should give CSU-San Marcos a look.
Well, the world needs ditch-diggers, too.
HXC runner wrote:
thank you for the posts. I am looking at WWU... i hear colorado is high mileage... very good team though, how tough are walk on standards?
Colorado's reputation as a high mileage school is a bit overstated.
Their women's team is also a complete disaster so, if you are decent, you could probably make the squad.
"decent" is a subjective and relative term. its hard to really recommend a program without knowing your times, even just rough approximations.
words of wisdom wrote:
I said one of the best, IF you have the talent. This girl doesn't sound like she has the talent, and is compensating by doing more mileage to be 'above average'. The bottom line is D1 is for talented runners who are already there, know how to win, and want to win. A coach is going to be unimpressed if you're putting in that kind of mileage to only be 'alright'. Going D2 would be a better option for someone who maybe hasn't blossomed yet, but has the work ethic and potential.
(Good for you, but I wouldn't waste my time running that kind of mileage to just make the JV team. Find something else where you're the best.)
OK, Kenenisa Bekele. You sound alot nicer in person.
Well I am about a high 11s 3200 runner and 19-20 5k runner. one more year of training though (or a few more months) of 70, 80 mpw and i could shave some more time off... i'm starting to see the mileage pay off.
colorado got good recruits this year... is it realistic to attempt to walk on to the team in a few months?