tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977617520048518161.post6774444125370165697..comments2021-05-31T07:37:06.574-04:00Comments on Craig Mac on the Track: Good Luck, Allison!Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06481289832958851933noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977617520048518161.post-7172573818896664452010-04-18T16:25:24.306-04:002010-04-18T16:25:24.306-04:00How does one become a more consistent runner in ra...How does one become a more consistent runner in races? Example: Running xx time in the 5k one week for a bad race, and then 2-3 weeks later running considerably faster for a good one.JJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06765847314200412128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977617520048518161.post-36279514150461985332010-04-16T19:55:58.243-04:002010-04-16T19:55:58.243-04:00Thanks! My coaches have always been in favor of a ...Thanks! My coaches have always been in favor of a huge taper for sectionals so i might try to stay a little more consistent this year. <br />For those later season sharpening workouts, do you have any suggestions? I'm not quite at the level you were at (yet), but i do run the same kind of mid-distance specialty. Anything you can give me is probably usable since my coaches allow me a lot input in my training.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977617520048518161.post-17223331185818662542010-04-15T22:25:00.169-04:002010-04-15T22:25:00.169-04:00It really has to go on a case-by-case basis. There...It really has to go on a case-by-case basis. There are workouts where you should slow things down but gut it out, workouts where you should get the right pace in but do less volume of it, workouts you should gut out the whole thing as written, workouts that you should skip entirely, everything in between those options. . . basically, you've got to learn to hear what your body is telling you.<br /><br />It can be a long process, but you've got to learn what YOU can handle on a given day.<br /><br />I think it was Mark Twain who said "Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment." This applies perfectly to learning to read your body- you're going to fuck up at first, but you'll get there with practice.<br /><br />good luck!Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06481289832958851933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977617520048518161.post-46444099592008398492010-04-15T18:31:44.759-04:002010-04-15T18:31:44.759-04:00Wondering your thoughts on another issue -
How d...Wondering your thoughts on another issue - <br /><br />How do you know when to bag a workout? When should you bag one, or is it better to gut it out instead?JJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06765847314200412128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977617520048518161.post-77653816713510162202010-04-14T00:05:20.302-04:002010-04-14T00:05:20.302-04:00Hi, Ben- thanks for the kind words.
I think it...Hi, Ben- thanks for the kind words.<br /><br />I think it's a good idea to maintain mileage throughout the season- meaning if you peaked at 55 a week during your buildup, then you should be able to comfortably maintain ~50 a week or so, with one very easy day built in (maybe only 3-4 miles) the day before or after your bigger race of the week.<br /><br />As for "tapering," it's largely overrated unless you're running a marathon. You shouldn't be training so hard that your legs are dead all season, necessitating a large taper. Basically, as you get fitter and closer to your peak race, what you want to do is stay fresh and sharp- so lots of nice easy jogging in between your hard days, and hard days that maintain your edge instead of trying to create new fitness. I can offer more specific advice if that isn't clear enough.<br /><br />My high school PRs were 1:55.53 in the 800 (senior year) 4:20.22 in the 1600 (junior year), 8:51 in the 3000 (indoors, junior year) and 15:30 for a cross country 5k (best place of 9th at the NH state meet my junior year; sick my senior year and did not run). I did this off most weeks in the 45-55 range, with the occasional 60+ week, generally in the earlier parts of the season. I would usually hit 70 or so once or twice a year in the summer.<br /><br />Off those times, you're going to get a huge variation in response from coaches. Some coaches will tell you that you're welcome to walk on, some coaches will treat you like a stud, and some coaches will laugh in your face. I had a few D1 coaches tell me 4:20 as a junior wasn't good enough to warrant a visit and I had a few offer me a small amount of scholarship. Try not to get discouraged if coaches don't answer emails or calls right away; coaches are busy people!<br /><br />Best of luckCraighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06481289832958851933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977617520048518161.post-22821631839720872942010-04-13T23:19:14.301-04:002010-04-13T23:19:14.301-04:00I'm a high school junior andI've been read...I'm a high school junior andI've been reading your log for a while now. I'm really impressed by the control and consistency of your training. You seem to know what you are doing pretty well so i figured I'd shoot you a couple of questions...<br /><br />I have finished base training and am about 2 weeks into real intervals. I was doing my base at about 55 miles per week. How much would, if at all, would you suggest cutting down the milage now? How much at the taper for the big meets at the end of the season? <br /><br />What kind of times were you running in high school? and if you don't mind me asking, what did they set you up for in terms of recruiting? My coaches can't really help me much here since one was about as good as me in high school but never considered competitive college running, and one was being recruited by big schools from the time he shattered the state 8th grade 2 mile record.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com