So to start off this thread I would just like to state I've asked many questions on this forum but this is probably the most important to me! If you have a true love for running from collegiate experience all the way to masters I would really like to here advice, stories, training etc... So here is my story/question/dilemma lol.
High school Sophomore and Junior year I probally ran 15-20 mpw including 2 sub-par workouts. And Only ran XC season with a 4k PR of 17:15 which if you ask me is not bad for basically no training since my school did not have other seasons. So last summer I started Training, no not let me run a mile here and there training ( That was me for my first two years running) I started building up mileage over summer probably not in a safe way reflecting back on it for June (30 mpw) July ( 45) August ( 60). In my senior XC season I shaved off three full minutes from one good summer (14:13) on a notorious killer hilly course. College coaches took notice. Not because of the time I ran but because of that huge drop in time. I was contacted by 5 D2 coaches with strong programs but not elite as some are, regardless I was still on cloud 9! The coaches all were interested in my "potential talent" rather than my current talent. Signed with a strong program and even received partial athletic scholarship!!
Now here comes the good stuff. I never ran track outdoor or indoor before. So when the new outdoor program started at my school I wasn't expecting much especially due to my first time trial in February I hit a veryyy bad 1600m time of 5:13. Now I know what your thinking how the f**k did this kid run a 5:13 and still make a D2 team? That question did not answer itself until 2 weeks ago. After excruciating workout and runs I gave 110% every practice. I ran a 4:38 1600m and broke 10 in 3200m off of 50 mpw. People and coaches kept telling me for only 2 serious running seasons I am pretty good. So I thought I was hot stuff until I did my research 4:38 would only put me on average years in the vicinity of 18th out of 26th place in my future collegiate conference championship meet for 1500 equivalent and Mile
So after this major breakthrough Im still nervous about being a "scrub" or a "mistake." I have the heart, determination, and will to compete on the D2 level but as of now unless I keep consistently shaving off time Im heading into no mans land of under performing in college especially XC 8k. I dont want to be that guy running a 29:xx or a 16:4x 5k.
I guess the main point and question of this thread is how do I transition into being a D2 runner to at least put me in contention of competing and decent times my freshman year. Probably shooting for low 4:30 mile and sub 27:00 8k XC. I know I have not reached my plateau yet since my body is not use to speed,distance, and pacing in races for example I can hit sub 2 equivalent workouts like 4x 400m @ 60 2 minute rest or 10x 200m under 30 with minute rest, However I can only muster a 800m time of 2:09 Hitting a 60 then dying to 69 2nd lap and changing it up to even and positive split led to a worse time! So I can only hope getting more seasons under my bet will help elevate me, but as I see it now Im a small fish heading into a huge pond.
Thank you for reading this!