California Track has been officially cancelled today. Is it time to start transitioning into XC training or is it recommended to run as if the track season was still going. What’s more beneficial?
California Track has been officially cancelled today. Is it time to start transitioning into XC training or is it recommended to run as if the track season was still going. What’s more beneficial?
i know people are going to say "lay down an excellent base for xc season", but i'd like to disagree and encourage you to continue with your track work.
my reasons being:
1) establish consistency in the seasons. (summer = summer of malmo, fall = xc, winter = indoor/base building, spring = outdoor track)
establishing a pattern will help your mind easily transition towards the type of racing that will occur during each respective parts of the year. when spring rolls around next year, you will be geared up for some track races because your mind and body automatically knows that it's time for them (given track season isn't cancelled next year...)
2) speed work IS important. I understand the point of maximizing your base work to help carry you through heats and give yourself endurance, but there is a point where it may be overdone. if you can't run a mile in 4:30, then you've got no chance in running a 13:30 5k (sorry, I'm bad at math, but you understand my point, right?). similarly, if you cannot run a 67.5second quarter, then would not be able to run a 4:30 mile.
My point is this: you'll need to work on your basic speed in order to maximize your potential to the highest level for any event. if you neglect this, no amount of mileage will help you.
the caveat is this: speed work CAN be overdone. don't overcook yourself trying to max it out. just work on it sensibly for a few weeks (i've heard 6-8 weeks MAX) and just get back to building up some easy mileage.
if you don't work on your speed now, you're selling yourself short. that's one complete year's worth of speedwork thrown away. and speed doesn't return easily as you age. endurance, however, CAN return easily - even after a long break.
one final note: please PLEASE be sensible when training hard now. if you find yourself a little more under the weather, do not try to tough it out and train hard. it's better to be safe than sorry, given the terrible effect of COVID-19 on your lungs. I've heard that lung function just doesn't return to the way it originally was; so please listen to your body and back off if you feel a teensy-bit unwell. doing so can avoid major damage in your future - possibly saving your athletic career.
Quit being selfish. Grandmother and grandfather are dieing. We need to socialize everything!
I would add to that by including some longer intervals whether on the hopefully open track or on trails, grass fields, closed soccer fields, etc. By longer intervals I mean running repeat 800's, 1000's, and 1200's to build strength for the XC season (if there is one) and also incorporating hill work and/or hill repeats.