What should I specialize in (next year)?

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Guest

Nov 24, 2001 7:18 AM

What should I specialize in (next year)?

I was wondering whether to specialize in XC or track next year. Obviously if you're good enough you can do both, but I just want to be good at one first. I'm a HS sophomore, I've been training 25-30 mpw (I know it's nothing) for the past 3 months...
The XC season is over, unfortunately our meet is around 7k so I can't give any 'standard' times. I ran a 19:02 5k in training a week ago, I believe I could go down to 18:30 if there's competition. I also ran a 1:01 400m in training- I could probably run it one or two seconds faster in a race. Which time is comparatively better? Thanks! If anyone has 400m and 5k times to compare, that would be great.

swedechick

1,230 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

1. Nov 24, 2001 12:51 PM

in response to: Guest

In cc there is only one race so there's nothing to really specialize in since it's for anyone. In track you should see what your strengths and weaknesses are. The first year I ran track I found I had some speed but not like a sprinter so I chose to do the 800 and the mile and those are my best events. It sounds like you're more of a distance runner from looking at that 5k time compared to that 400 time.

Guest

2. Nov 24, 2001 7:35 PM

in response to: Guest

Swedechick, thanks for the reply.
What I meant was that should I specialize in XC or track? If I train really specifically for XC, once XC season ends, there's not really that much time to build up your speed for track. If you only focus on track then you can spend more time doing higher intensity stuff.

swedechick

1,230 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

3. Nov 24, 2001 11:29 PM

in response to: Guest

Well, what I do is do distance training over the summer and during cc season(towards the end I do a little bit of speed work since I train for 2 miles), then take a break, then do some more distance workouts plus some track workouts, then after Christmas break(in which I take a rest), I start doing more speed work for track. At least that's what I do.

Guest

4. Nov 25, 2001 10:01 PM

in response to: Guest

I don't see your dilemma. XC and Track play off each other like... well... ummm... love and marriage, peas and carrots - whatever! If you do well in XC, you will more than likely do well in Track. Your question is a lot like someone in the dilemma of having English one semester and Literature the next semester. Does one want to waster brain power on English b/c it's going to take away from Literature? Of course not! It is only natural to "specialize" in both. Do they take different training? Yes, but there is enough time between XC and outdoor track to make your legs accustomed to the different types of running.

------------------
Shut up and Run hard! It's only pain.

Guest

5. Dec 20, 2007 10:54 PM

in response to: Guest

Personally, I think a 1:01 400m is better than a 19+ 5k time. But as Lankeejla said, you should have enough time in the winter to train for the shorter events, surely you don't need that much time just to switch gears?

http://This message has been edited by streakmarine (edited 11-26-2001).

Guest

6. Dec 20, 2007 10:54 PM

in response to: Guest

Thanks Lankeejla and Streakmarine for replying.
You guys just made me realise I forgot to mention something.

Our school has a weird system. The trials for making the school track team take place a month after the end of the XC season, before the winter break. However the interschools meet does take place after the Christmas break (in February I think). Now I'm not guaranteed to make the school team, there is some competition here (56-57 400m runners, 2:15+ 800m). Therefore IF I focus on XC, I will only have one month to train for track (so I can't train over the winter), and I'm not sure that I can turn that 1:01 into :57 or below.

I realise that both my 5k time (19:14 in training, possibly 18:30 in race) and 400m time (1:01 also in training) are poor, as I only did 25 mpw. But just comparing my slow times, which one is relatively better? Thanks in advance for any replies.

http://This message has been edited by dc999 (edited 11-26-2001).

Guest

7. Dec 20, 2007 10:54 PM

in response to: Guest

How does this sound. Run a hard XC season - get down around 18. However, in your races, start slow and really punch your last mile. This will work on your stamina, but also give you the speed that you want for track. As you begin to taper down for the State meet, start tapering early and run a lot shorter intervals (still as fast). Pretend that you are training for an 800 at the end of XC. Your summer base should carry you through a race with 800 workouts under your belt. Aftert he state meet, take 1 week of very minimal running (10-15 miles) and then start back up again on the track. If your not feeling 100% by the end of that week, take more time. I think that doing that will help you out considerably.

Anybody want to critique that?

------------------
Shut up and Run hard! It's only pain.

http://This message has been edited by Lankeejla (edited 11-26-2001).

Guest

8. Nov 29, 2001 12:06 PM

in response to: Guest

What do you run in track? I was in cc, but specialized in track because I was a far better sprinter than a distance runner. Go figure because I was one of the top cc skiiers on my team. Ok, well like it has been said cc will feed off of track and track will feed off of cc, especially if you do distance for both of them.

Nov 24, 2001 7:18 AM

What should I specialize in (next year)?

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