So I’m really frustrated with what is now appearing to be a pattern. On the track from 800 to mile, I’m a decent runner (like around top 20-25 collegiately). In the 5k on the track, I’m around near 200th ranked collegiately. In xc, my abilities probably drop off a level even from there.
My coach feels I can be better at xc and in the 5k, and that threshold work and long intervals (mile repeats, 1ks) will get me there. I bought into this, and last year started crashing mid xc season, running worse and worse from conferences to nationals. Luckily with time off and turning towards mid d training, I recovered and had a great year in track. But it took til the end of indoor to fully regain where I was even mid xc season. Getting that dead legged feeling again, and the deja vu of it is freaking me out.
Summary: I kept improving off 7 months of track training (intervals 600m and down, with easy or steady runs other days), But two months of xc training, with tempos and threshold runs, seemed to defeat my legs last year and I’m worried it might again. Does this sound like something reasonable, or am I looking at this the wrong way somehow? With track approaching, I want to go in fit but not burned out.
Oh, mileage is 55-60 per week in season, 65 in base.