Letter from the Editor, September 2014
The September 2014 issue of The Hurdle Magazine is a big deal for us and our subscribers, as it marks the one-year anniversary of the mag’s inaugural issue. Yes indeed, a year ago today marked the beginning of this journey that continues a full 365 days later.
This month’s issue is chock full of good stuff. To start with, we have the final installment of two series – Keare Smith’s “The Way of the Warrior” and my “Go Where the Hurdles Take You.” The first two installments of Smith’s series appeared in the March and April issues of The Hurdle Magazine. The third and final installment appears here. The first three installments of my series appeared in the June, July, and August issues. I think that if you read both series from the beginning, you’ll be amazed at how the stories come together in the end. I know I was.
I decided to take a break from the monthly profile this time around, choosing instead to take a thorough look back (and forward) at the men’s 110m high hurdles. In the article entitled “Men’s 110 Hurdles: A Change of LaGarde,” I discuss the rise of hurdlers like France’s Pascal Martinot-LaGarde and Cuba’s Orlando Ortega, and address the question of whether Americans David Oliver, Ryan Wilson, Aries Merritt, and Jason Richardson will be able to come back strong in 2015 and overtake the young rising stars.
The most technical article in this month’s issue is “Ingraining the 3-Step Rhythm,” in which I explain my contention that for 100/110 meter hurdlers, it makes the most sense to do as many drills and workouts as possible to a 3-step rhythm. I also give examples of drills or workouts that I’ve made adjustments to in order to make them fit the 3-step pattern.
This month’s workout, “Workout for Developing the Weaker Lead Leg,” is designed for the 400 hurdler looking to master the ability to alternate lead legs. The premise for this workout is that the weaker leg needs more reps than the stronger leg if it is to get to be as strong as the stronger leg. Make sense? This time of year is the best time to start doing this type of workout so that by the time the outdoor season rolls around, the 400 hurdler feels confident in both legs and can therefore strategize for races accordingly.
The final article of this issue is a continuation of the “Seven Steps to Hurdle Heaven” series that I began in last month’s issue. In this installment I discuss Steps 2 and 3, which involve developing an identity as a hurdler and learning to approach races with a warrior’s mentality.
For this month’s instructional video, Keare Smith demonstrates the trail leg and lead leg fence drills, as I provide written explanations of the purpose and benefits of each phase of the drills.
Special thanks to Keare Smith for his contributions to this issue, and for partnering with me on this hurdling journey.
Extra special thanks to all of our subscribers, particularly those of you who have been with us since our inception a year ago. We most definitely appreciate your support and loyalty, as well as your enthusiasm for the hurdles.
And of course there’s web designer Chris Brajer, who, despite an ever-increasing workload at college, and an even busier schedule over the summer, continues to troubleshoot all website kinks and to compile each issue of the magazine.
Good luck to everyone with your fall training. Email me at smcgill@hurdlesfirst.com if you need any help or have any questions. Hope you find some material in this issue that helps you along your path. Take care,
Steve McGill
