Runners, we are off! We now have 13 practices stacked in our training bank, including hill reps, long runs, critical velocity (CV) intervals, a lactic threshold workout, and a lot of core. We learned a little bit about training theory, were implored to get fitted for new shoes, and got more Coach Flatow philosophizing than we might have expected. All of us should have clicked over 50 miles on our internal odometers–some of us MUCH more than that. And we did that in 13 practice sessions!
Looking at the log book for the Matador Ks yesterday, it is clear that many of us have been working hard in the last year. In 2025, Sam logged 5 reps averaging 3:54 per rep; on Saturday, he ran 7 reps averaging 3:37. Miranda went from 6 reps at 4:12 to 7 at 4:02. Myra’s 5:30 average for 5 Ks became 7 reps averaging 4:54 (Myra can’t be gunning for yet another Most Improved, can she?). And it is not only our returning varsity runners who were sporting flashy numbers–Leon ran 6 reps at 4:24 yesterday a year after managing only 4 at 6:07! Each interval was a minute and a half faster than a year ago, with a 50% increase in volume. There were several other eye-popping results on Saturday–good work, MVXC, not just on Saturday, but over the past 52 weeks that got us here!
At every level, effort and persistence over time pays off. No matter how we felt last week, we have an opportunity to continue to improve.
The Coming Week
Week 3 is always a busy, and challenging, week. The last two weeks have set us up for success, week 3 is still a step up. Here is what we have planned:
Monday: Our first run as a complete team up Fire Trail, to run hill repeats on Matt’s Hill. Of the many ‘firsts’ we have each season, this is a biggie. This day takes some time, so expect a quick launch. We will also get back at different times so please plan to do your core work OYO (on your own).
Tuesday: Fair warning, this is going to be a Matadors’ Point-centric week. Today we will head out to Matadors’ to preview the Watermelon Run course. We will be looking for a couple of guides. Veteran runners will have the opportunity to opt for Horse.
Wednesday: Pre-Race. Wednesday is also MVXC26 Parents Night at 6 PM in the student union/cafeteria.
Thursday: Watermelon Run! This is an old school event, popsicle sticks and tick sheets, just like the Cro-Magnan events that Coach Flatow ran in high school. Parents, expect us to be back to school later than our usual 6:10 PM finish.
Friday: Recovery run and a surprise.
Saturday: Meet at 7AM for a CV workout out at Matadors’ Point (you were warned, we see a lot of Stevens Canyon park this week!).
I think we are very, very close to having our roster finalized. There are just a few people who might have left the team that we will track down; when we meet tomorrow, we will have 21 girls and 41 boys on the roster, and we will only be adding more athletes under exceptional circumstances (for example, transferring into Monta Vista from a different school).
