Letter from the Editor, December 2019
Hello Subscribers, and welcome to the December 2019 edition of The Hurdle Magazine. This month’s issue features two articles from freelance writer Melinda Burris Willms, one article from freelance writer Savannah Cress, and three articles written by myself.
In “Achilles Tendinopathy and Anterior Ankle Impingement,” Willms discusses two lower-leg injuries that often plague hurdlers; she describes the symptoms, offers treatment options, and discusses preventative measures athletes can take to avoid such injuries.
In Willms’ other article, “Comparing Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field,” she discusses the trend toward greater participation in indoor track in recent years, but how many of the athletes who compete indoors switch over to other sports once the outdoor season comes. While participation in outdoor track is high, athletes from other sports will use indoor track as a means of staying in shape for their specialty sport.
In Savannah Cress’ article, “Should the Women’s Hurdles be Raised?” she addresses a question that has been debated for a good couple decades or so now–is the 33-inch height for the women’s 100m hurdles too low when considering the crazy athleticism of modern female athletes?
In my first article, “Another Perspective on 7-stepping,” I take another look at another topic that is oft-debated–when it is okay for a sprint hurdler to take seven steps to the first hurdle. This article was inspired by a recent switch from 8 to 7-stepping by an athlete of mine; in the article I explain why we decided to make the switch, and why it made sense to do so in his case, at this time of the year.
In my second article, “Getting to the First Hurdle,” I address the block start again, but this time from the point of view of coaching an athlete who isn’t close enough to the first hurdle to accelerate through it. This article was also inspired by a session with an athlete. In this case, the athlete was being too quick with her cadence out of the blocks, and wasn’t getting any push. In the article, I explain how we solved the problem.
This month’s workout, “Quicksteps and Starts Workout,” is a hybrid workout designed to allow technique / hurdle-endurance work as well as speed-specific block work, so that we can keep the long-term goals for the outdoor season in mind while simultaneously preparing for upcoming indoor races.
Enjoy the articles, thank you again for your support, and if your indoor season has begun, I hope your early races have gone well. If they haven’t, don’t fret; it takes time to get in race shape, physically and mentally.
Steve McGill
