Alabama Cross Country Week That Was: Week 5
9/21/2009 12:00:00 AM
Sept. 21, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The No. 10 Alabama men's cross country team concluded their fifth week of practice and hosted the 21st Annual Crimson Classic last week under the direction of cross country coach Joe Walker.
Over the past week, the Crimson Tide has dealt with bad weather as the rain seems to continue to pour into town. The squad more than likely will not get a break this week as they prepare for the Pre-SEC Invitational in Oxford, Miss.
"Last week's training was solid," Walker said. "We still battled the weather and we are getting used to it being wet around here. We got on our course for some mile repeats that went really well early in the week and that was the first real work we've done at race pace this year. Our long run was cancelled due to weather so it was up to each athlete to fit in where they could."
At the Crimson Classic, Alabama got an early look at some region competition as many teams from the south region came out to preview the NCAA South Region course which will be held in Tuscaloosa, Ala. for the first time since 2005.
"We had a good opener at home for the majority of the group and now we plan on getting ready for a big trip out to Oregon," Walker said. "It was good to see Auburn and Tennessee here early and we know both will be much stronger teams in six weeks at the SEC Championships."
Alabama will take to the road this week as they preview the SEC Championship course at the Pre-SEC Invitational being held in Oxford, Miss. on Sept. 26.
