why we run hurdles

              Why we run hurdles

Hurdles!!! Oh NO!! I can hear the collective eye rolling and groans every time I set them up.

Soooo, I am going to start early with my 2011 resolution of doing more education articles. After all smarter runners are mo better runners!

Hurdles are done for 2 reasons:

1.     generalized benefit

2.     Technical or specific benefit.

So let talk about reason #1

   Generalized benefit- Running hurdles will help build fast twitch muscles and promote knee drive. So what, you might say, (I can hear it from here)

Well, I would say, did you know that fast twitch muscle will give you more speed and power? And burn more calories per workout as well. And improved knee drive will give you a higher distance covered/stride ratio.

Now for reason #2

  Technical or specific benefit- In track terms it is called “higher turnover rate” or increased “stride frequency”. In car driving terms that equals RPMs.

The more often your foot hits the ground the more often it can deliver propulsive force (push you closer to finish line).

So now, next time we do hurdles, I should hear all sorts of cheering!!!

 At least i can dream!