Like going for a nice jog every once in awhile?

So does the men's cross country team - for a nice 100 miles each week. But it's probably safe to say the Wolverines are not just "jogging" those miles.

The Wolverines are running 100 miles every week and running them fast for races like this past Saturday's NCAA Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Ind., where they finished seventh out of 36 teams.

No. 18 Michigan placed five runners in the top 100 of the 246-man field. Sophomore Lex Williams led the Wolverines for the third consecutive race, setting a new personal best in the 8,000-meter race with a time of 24:02, good enough for 23rd. Williams's performance was no surprise to him, even on one of the more difficult courses of the year.

"Competition was really good," Williams said. "It's easy to run fast when you have so many guys running fast, too."

The added pressure also pumped up Williams's teammates.

"It was definitely the most competitive meet I've been in," sophomore John Black said. "Almost all of the top-ranked teams were there, so it was definitely motivating lining up next to them."

Black's excitement helped him finish second for the Wolverines and 46th overall. His time of 24:23 was just four seconds shy of the personal best he set at the Notre Dame Invitational a week ago.

Michigan's next three finishers all clocked in personal-best times. Sophomore Brandon Fellows came in at 59th (24:31), and junior Victor Gras crossed the line less than a second later for 61st place. Sophomore Justin Switzer rounded out the top 100 with a time of 24:51.

Michigan put together a strong team performance even though it was without junior captain Michael Woods, who was out with a sore foot. The Ontario native placed 11th at the same race last year. A similar performance could have boosted the team to third overall, ahead of Florida and conference rival Iowa.

But Michigan runners aren't worrying about finishing behind Iowa at Pre-Nationals. Instead, the Wolverines are gearing up for the Big Ten Championships on Oct. 29. Last year Michigan finished a disappointing fifth in the Big Ten, just one point behind Iowa. Expectations are little higher this year.

"If we run well and work as a team, I don't think a high placing is out of the question," Black said. "Once we get Woods back and once everyone is healthy, I think we have a good chance at taking (Iowa) and a couple other teams."

Before the Big Ten Championships, the Wolverines have to swing over to Dexter for the EMU Classic this Friday. But Michigan coach Ron Warhurst does not plan on running any of the harriers who will compete in the Big Ten Championships. Some runners have been injured, and Warhurst wants to make sure his athletes are ready for the tough championship stretch. The Wolverines will start tapering down from the usual 100-miles-per-week routine this week to put some spring back into their step.

"We're headed in the right direction, and we're still running really well on heavy legs," Warhurst said. "We're getting better, and when we start coming off of our hard mileage, everybody's legs will start feeling a whole lot stronger."