Letter from the Editor August 2015
Hello readers, and welcome to the August 2015 issue of The Hurdle Magazine. This month’s issue takes a look at some things going on currently in the track world that are of interest to hurdlers, and it also includes some more technical material, as well as a look ahead in preparing for the 2016 season.
One of the issues that is hot and has been hot for quite a while is that of the use of performance-enhancing drugs. In “The Doping Sagas Continue” I take a look at the controversies currently involving Justin Gatlin, Alberto Salazar, Dennis Mitchell, and the IAAF. I also take a look at the motivations for taking PED’s and the mindset athletes need to have to navigate the landscape.
In “When in Doubt, Keep Running,” I take a look back at the recent Pan-American Games from this past July, where the men’s 110 final had to be run two times, due to a very late second gun in the first final. David Oliver of the US “won” both races in one of the more bizarre incidents in track history. In the article, I discuss what happened and discuss lessons that all hurdlers can learn from the situation.
In “Emphasizing Speed in the Training Program,” I detail some of the changes that I have made in how I approach coaching quarter-milers and 400 hurdlers. It’s also relevant to how I coach 100/110 hurdlers as well, in that I have moved away from heavy volume, even in the off-season, in favor of speed, as I try to find the balance between quantity and quality. What I have learned is that emphasizing speed more in the off-season helps to better prepare athletes for the demands of their specific events.
“Front Side Mechanics for Hurdlers” is probably the most technical article in this month’s issue. In it, I discuss what front side mechanics is, and what it looks like, and I explain how proper sprint mechanics can solve many problems in hurdling technique without the athlete or coach even needing to address the technique issues directly. The premise of the article is that flaws in technique are rooted in flaws in sprint mechanics.
“Cross Training Ideas for Hurdlers” is a seasonally-appropriate article, as most hurdlers have concluded their season by now and are looking ahead to 2016. Cross training can be a very effective tool to keep the training program fun and invigorating. In this article I point out what some of the cross training options are, and the ways they can be beneficial to the hurdler.
This month’s article is designed for the advanced 110 hurdler who gets super-crowded in races in the second zone of the race – hurdles 4-7. “Second Zone Workout” is designed to help the advanced hurdler control and adapt to the speed without sacrificing aggression.
Hope everyone who is done for the year had a successful 2015 outdoor campaign, and I hope you have an even better 2015-16. I’m excited to watch the World Championships that will be taking place later this month. Which reminds me, by the way, that Orlando Ortega of Cuba will not be competing, as he is in the process of changing his citizenship to Spain, and that process won’t be completed in time. I predicted him to medal in my World Championships preview last month. So, scratch that.
Thank you subscribers! Hope you enjoy this issue. Take care,
Steve McGill
