Cross Country issue?Time?

Question

Okay I've just joined the cross country team at my high school this year, and I ran the varsity 8 mile relay. All of our girls did really good except for me! i was like a whole minute slower than our third leg(slowest girl). I'm so confused...I always beat her in practice and can easily beat her just about anywhere else. I don't know if the coach screwed up our times or what? It looked like the coach erased her time though and wrote something else!At first they said we ran the same times, and then later I looked at the clip board and it said she was a whole minute faster than me. But the worst part is two JV girls ran faster than me too. Which is weird because I usually demolish all 3 girls in practice. Even my friend, the fastest girl in our relay said I looked like I ran faster. So whats up? Did they confuse me with another runner or what?Now I'm scared they are gonna put me on JV!

Next week we run individual so, I'll see what really happens and I'll time myself too!

Answer 1

First of all, coach-to-athlete, I think it is important  for you to understand that your weekly practice are for making mistakes. So come race day the possibility of making those same mistakes occurring, is diminished.

No one care who wins the workout...but  coaches do care who wins the race or finishes in front of you. Especially if you should be in front of them,

My job as a hs xc coach is to teach my athletes who to training and win xc races. The fact that you said that you usually " demolish all 3 girls in practice" tell me you are racing the workout and your legs could be getting flat( tired) and have no spring in them.  

The times are irrelevant, usually there are official results posted at the meet and online check those result and compare times.  Then figure out your pace and compare it the pace of the other girls on the 8-mile relay team. I bet those runners crossed the finish line before you now you will have to work harder to get back onto the varsity squad again.

This is exactly what I mean when I tell my athletes that anything can happen on any given day.

Answer 2

Umm my coach used to do practically the same thing but he did it on purpose. He would make it my time slower so that it would encourage me to run faster. But for some people this doesnt work for them and it demolishes their courage. I would just get into the mindset (Okay, I ran slow that time so I need to practice more and run harder) You should always mix up your practice because some of the most succesful athletes are mixed sports. The reason you don't do one sport is because the body will adapt and get into a plateu which basically means the body is used to this kind of practice, try some dynamic practice and make yourself an overall better athlete and I bet this would reduce your time alot.

Answer 3

i don't think the coach would bump you down for just getting a slower time maybe she just thinks that you had a bad run today or something but most coaches will also consider your practices and since you say that you beat the other girls you should be fine unless the coach is picking favorites and i have a question for you did you run today at TCC, because i think we were at the same meet