Training 11/12-11/15
Thursday 11/12: 3x1000 at threshold, 7x200m fast and smooth
A few days before from NXR we got our last workout in. It was meant to be a tune-up to feel sharp and ready for Sunday. The top three guys hit 79-80s per 400 for the Ks and the 4-7 guys hit 83s. The watches came off for the 200s. Time isn't usually too important on the short fast stuff for us, we like to focus on feeling fast but not laboring hard. After the run we did our core routine along with hip mobility and foot drills.
Friday 11/13: 47-60 minutes
Today was an easy paced run with a little room for individualization based on how each guy is feeling. NXR is two days away and it's important for everyone to be able to maintain their fitness while also feeling well-recovered to race. We did our anaerobic strength routine and our core routine after the run.
Saturday 11/14: Pre-meet course preview
We arrived in Sioux Falls, changed at the hotel, and went right over to the course to run it. All the guys had raced here before so we focused on where there was bad footing and on what parts of the course we knew it would be important to tuck in and stay shielded from the wind come race time. After the run the guys did some strides to shake out the legs and feel ready to roll for tomorrow.
Sunday 11/15: Race day - NXN Heartland
We left the hotel around 11:45 to head to the course. The guys laid low and tried to relax before it was time to warm up. With winds picking up as the day drew on, by race time it was mid-50s and around 15 mph winds gusting up to 25 mph. Everyone got out clean and was just about where they wanted to be at the mile. We were in 11th place at the mile, so we all had a lot of passing to do if we wanted to get an automatic qualifying spot. This is how we usually race, and we are well-versed in staying calm and being patient. At the two-mile mark, we had jumped up to 2nd place. Everyone was able to close well enough to get the second auto-qualifier. Our conference rivals, Hopkins, whooped the field pretty brutally today, us included. We narrowly beat our other conference rivals of Wayzata. They also raced very well, and we Edina boys are hoping they can secure an at-large bid. I think it was a pretty good feeling for the all the Lake Conference guys. It's no small task to have 3 teams in a 5-team conference take the top 3 spots at a regional meet of this depth and caliber. All in all, we showed up when it was important and the guys are all excited to show what we can do in Portland.
More coverage from the NXN Heartland Regional here