My 5th runner last year ran 22:10--- this year she has ran 23:20.. The difference between those two times are our Regional are 30 points, and that is the difference between making it to state or not (we are very strong up from 5+11 are our 1 and 2 ranking)
What do you suggest letsrun to make her run faster?!
What happened between last year and this that she is going backward? Do her workouts indicate she should be running faster or is she just in the process of growing up and distracted? Been injured?
xcrunner6 wrote:
My 5th runner last year ran 22:10--- this year she has ran 23:20.. The difference between those two times are our Regional are 30 points, and that is the difference between making it to state or not (we are very strong up from 5+11 are our 1 and 2 ranking)
What do you suggest letsrun to make her run faster?!
Tell her to BELIEVE in herself!!!
I think its that she went from being the number 2 runner to the number 5 runner when three freshman (one being her sister) came in and took over the top three spots. I've tried to talk with her (she's sensitive), but I just can't seem to get it through to her. She's not injured, her workouts are just fine with our 21:30-21:50 girls.. So I just don't know.
If she's sensitive then you'll want a gentle, positive approach. Definitely not pressure "our season depends on you." Have her look inward to do her best and run her race the best she can. If she's done the training that's good. Know it's going to hurt, embrace and run with it. Adversity gives us challenges and gifts. We must accept and rise to the occasion. Don't let her go out too fast and blow up, but go out strong.
xcrunner6 wrote:
I think its that she went from being the number 2 runner to the number 5 runner when three freshman (one being her sister) came in and took over the top three spots. I've tried to talk with her (she's sensitive), but I just can't seem to get it through to her. She's not injured, her workouts are just fine with our 21:30-21:50 girls.. So I just don't know.
We have similar issues.
Make it to where it isn't about place on the team in her mind.
Simply have it be where she is focused on growing effort throughout the race. Have her goal to be in mile 1 simply to stay calm and run her race - make it about how she feels and not where she is relative to others. This way she still has something to run for when things begin to get tough. She'll be in the right frame of mind.
Then the focus is on moving up and increasing effort. It is a task - not an outcome.
Late in the race it should be about running for others. This will make her leave her own pity party because the focus will be on helping teammates instead of her likely current egocentric view of position on team.
Btw - How did it turn out?
If you got through, you can try this next week. It has helped mine who were developmental athletes.