Letter from the Editor, June 2019
Hello Subscribers, and welcome to the June 2019 edition of The Hurdle Magazine. In this month’s issue we have another article on stretching from freelance writer Teige West, two research-based articles from freelance writer Melinda Burris Willms, as well as my usual hurdle-specific content.
West’s article, “Gentle Stretches for the Lower Back,” adds to his article from last month about upper body stretches. Here, West provides a series of lower body stretches that are designed to relieve tension. These stretches are great to do on a daily basis away from the track, and can be incorporated into a post-workout stretching routine.
In “Staying Hydrated during Extended Workouts,” Willms further on this topic that she wrote about in last month’s issue, this time focusing on chocolate milk as a recovery drink.
In Willms’ other article, “Accept the Challenge of Embracing Water Workouts,” she provides research-based information on workouts that can be done in the pool for the purpose of non-impact training and strengthening muscles.
In my first article, “Solving the Tilt to the Lead Leg Side,” I discuss the technical flaw that is fairly common among hurdlers of tilting the upper body to the lead leg side during take-off into each hurdle. I explain why this occurs, why it matters, and what has worked for me in correcting it.
This month’s workout, “Long Hurdles Race Predictor Workout,” is a workout that is designed to give long hurdlers a very good idea of how fast they should be able to run in that week’s race. It’s a late-season/championship season workout for athletes who are looking to peak at the right time.
In my last article, “Non Track-related Influences,” I discuss in detail a few key books I’ve read that have helped to shape my approach to coaching and my coaching philosophy as a whole. Because I was an English major in college and didn’t take any science classes, my influences are a bit outside of the box, but have proven to be very helpful.
Enjoy the articles, thank you again for your support, and for those of you who are competing through the summer, best of luck with your training and competitions.
Steve McGill
