Letter from the Editor
Sometimes an issue of a magazine is centered around a theme. Often this happens by design, but sometimes it happens organically, without direct intention. I love it when it happens this way, because it indicates that the writers and the interviewees are connected on a level that runs deeper than the words on the page. Such is the case with the October issue of The Hurdle Magazine. And if I had to pick one word that encapsulates the theme of Issue # 2, it would be Balance.
Why Balance? Let’s start with “Yoga for Hurdlers: A Matter of Balance,” in which yoga instructor Elise Dorsett explains the importance of balancing the body with the mind and spirit, of balancing competitiveness with a love for what you do, of balancing muscle strength with muscle flexibility.
Then let’s move to “A Balanced Diet for a Balanced Hurdler,” in which nutrition expert Joy McGill (my wife) discusses the importance of maintaining a balanced diet, of balancing proteins with carbohydrates, of balancing food intake with fluid intake.
Then let’s talk about this month’s featured profile subject, Terry Reese, who, throughout a professional hurdling career of more than a decade, balanced his own training and competition schedule with coaching collegiate athletes at North Carolina State University.
In “Hamstring Strains: The Hurdler’s Curse,” Dr. Kelsey Armstrong points out the dangers of having imbalances in the muscle groups. If the glutes aren’t strong or the calves aren’t strong or the ankles aren’t strong, then the hamstrings have to do extra work, and the imbalance can lead to strains and pulls.
In “Hurdle Conditioning,” I talk about the importance of balancing hard work with smart work. Get your reps in, but don’t overdo it.
In the instructional video on the trail leg, I discuss the importance of synchronizing the trail leg with the lead leg, of how a balanced relationship between the two limbs leads to faster, more efficient hurdle clearance.
As for thank-you’s, I want to start by thanking Chris Brajer, my web designer and right-hand man, for his professionalism, reliability, and his calm, efficient approach to his work.
I’d also like to thank the interviewees of the various articles in this issue. Namely, Terry Reese, Kelsey Armstrong, my wife Joy, and Elise Dorsett. From these people I not only gained much knowledge and insight, but I was also inspired by their spiritual depth and their personal integrity. Being around good people helps me become a better person, and in putting together the articles for this month’s issue, I was bombarded with good people. Let me add, regarding Elise Dorsett, that she did a ton of work writing the captions for the yoga photographs, and putting all the routines in sequential order. Amazing.
I’d also like to thank Rush Dorsett, younger sister of Elise, for being our “model” for the series of yoga poses for the yoga article.
I’d also like to thank Derek Hansen of www.runningmechanics.com for allowing me to quote heavily from an article he recently wrote on hamstring strains, and for proofreading the “Hamstring Strains” article.
Finally, as is always the case, I want to thank you, our subscribers, for your support and for your trust in us that we will provide you with quality content on a regular basis. I am very excited about Issue # 2, and feel confident that you will find much to sink your teeth into.
Take care and read on!
Steve McGill
