June 16, 2014
So one of my athletes had the nerve to doubt that I could get over a 36-inch hurdle. He promised me he’d buy me dinner, to a restaurant of my choice, if I could do it. Never one to back down from a challenge, I said, “It’s on!”
Two days later, after rigorous stretching, meditating, visualizing, groin and hip flexor exercises, and hoping for the best, I took my talents to the track to get my hurdles on. After numerous drills and reps over a 30-inch hurdle and then a 33, I raised the hurdle to 36. The results are below:
Instead of dinner I settled for a funnel cake at New Balance Nationals, ’cause you know them funnel cakes ain’t no joke!
Special thanks to my athlete and Nigerian brother Arthur Njemanze for documenting hurdling history on his iPhone. Special thanks to my athlete Lamar Brewer for presenting me with the challenge. And special thanks to friend and inspiration Terry Reese for his endless hurdling videos proving that age ain’t got nothin’ on passion!
