Was just looking through the men's and women's 10000m results at Stanford and at a few other 10k's. There seems to be differing views among coaches with regard to how you plan and execute your season if you run the longest distance available to D-I runners. Some turn their runners loose to blast a 10k and run a huge p.r. at the end of March-think sub 28:30, while others have their runners pull back on the reigns and run a more relaxed 29:00 to 29:30ish range race.
Since the inception of the two region system, it has taken around 29:30, give or take 5 seconds to be in the top 24 of your respective region so that you qualify for the post-season. Is there a benefit to going big in March, and how does that play out in June for those that make it? Would it be smarter to be at 85% now and run 29:15 so that you qualify for regionals, then just go for broke in June or do you need to be in 28:30 shape now to be successful at nationals in June?