I had an excellent summer of training for my senior year of cross country. I managed 70 miles a week with a long run of 13+ miles a week with two workouts a week. It was a great summer, little hiccups in training, I got plenty of rest and recovery, I monitored my health and fitness properly and made it to the season healthy and fit. My watch (forerunner 230) estimated a Vo2max of 68~70 and was confirmed through how I felt during workouts, RHR test, and Jack Daniel's formula. Most of my threshold workouts ranged from 5:20 to 5:10 pace, and my easy runs 6:40 to 7:20 depending on the day- but most importantly, they felt easy.
As the season began, I got a lot better as my coach put it "I was maturing in racing, and becoming more confident in my fitness".
One week especially was great, my easy run's pace-to-percieved(and recorded heart rate) ratio was the best it ever has been (8 miles @ 6:40 for a HR of 143 for an ex.). But for the workout that week- a threshold/CV style workout with 1000s with 75s rest, I was a little flat as I could manage the prescribe 3:20 mark, but I sure as heck didn't feel like going any faster. That weeks race I fell way below my standards and expectations. I cut the next run due to me feeling crappy, and my coach chalked it up to sickness and told me to get 3 days full rest. Coming back, my run was ok, but harder than it should've felt. That weekend I did end up catching a cold, which I rested with. That next week I ran every day, and felt great on the workout day, running under 3:10 for a 5k effort workout. However, I fell below expectations for that weeks race as well. Today, I attempted a workout, and it felt much harder than it should've been, and it feels like I've lost all the fitness I've gained.
In short, how did I loose all that work in such a short time? Is it some medical problem? Training problem? I dont think I've peaked- then my fitness should at least be at pre-peak level. I've been taking allergy meds for a while now so that cant be the problem. I'm not currently sick as confirmed by my physician. Is there any tips anyone can give me? Anywhere to look for help? Any possible problems?