[Blivit]

Blivit on February 11, 2009 at 3:24 am #15349

First post on these forums. I am 29 and working on getting back into running after taking an 11 year hiatus but that is a topic for another forum.

In HS I was a hurdler and was fairly good at it and pretty consistent. I had very good rhythm and great flexibility and could get over the highs even with my size. I am only 5’10”.

Now that I am older I know that the highs are 3″ taller. I am afraid that my size more than anything will be more of a problem than my time off. For the past year and a half I have spent a lot of time in the gym getting my strength back and I have now switched to track work for the past few months. I have been working hurdles some keeping them low and I have discovered that I have not lost any of my flexibility and have possibly gained speed due to my weight room workouts. I have however gained size from roughly 135lbs to 175lbs.

I know the average hurdler is taller. Has anyone done or coached the hurdles at 42″ with someone my size? I guess I won’t really know if I can do it or not until I raise them up but I am not ready for that yet. It has taken some time for me to get over my first hurdle fear again and to work on my 3 step.

Thanks, I look forward to reading/posting more here.

[johnstrang]

johnstrang on February 12, 2009 at 6:14 am #77893

I dont’t think you will have too many problems. I was 5′ 11″ when I started on the higher heights and didn’t have a problem. As long as you still have a good ROM your going to be ok. With that said, I know some athletes taller than me that couldn’t make the transition from 39 to 42 inches, but they lacked flexibility. You might want to start training again at the lower height to get used to the mechanics again and do a lot of hurdle mobility work before you raise it up. Also, it kind of depends on your body type, ie: longer legs.

[Blivit]

Blivit on February 12, 2009 at 6:49 am #77894

I dont’t think you will have too many problems. I was 5′ 11″ when I started on the higher heights and didn’t have a problem. As long as you still have a good ROM your going to be ok. With that said, I know some athletes taller than me that couldn’t make the transition from 39 to 42 inches, but they lacked flexibility. You might want to start training again at the lower height to get used to the mechanics again and do a lot of hurdle mobility work before you raise it up. Also, it kind of depends on your body type, ie: longer legs.

Thanks. That is exactly what I am doing now. In addition to just getting back into running form I have been working hurdles at low heights to get the basics down again.

[RussZHC]

RussZHC on February 14, 2009 at 6:24 am #78002

I would encourage you to just continue following the path you have started.

None of the hurdlers I coach day to day is more than 6′.

I would also suggest reading the article at the links elsewhere on this site about Nehemiah; I think there is a lot to be said for “bringing back” the art form to hurdling and in an odd way that maybe “easier” if you are a bit smaller, having to rely on skill and technique compared to just hammering at whatever (hurdles) gets in the way.

[Derrick Brito]

Derrick Brito on May 15, 2009 at 8:53 am #83397

First post on these forums. I am 29 and working on getting back into running after taking an 11 year hiatus but that is a topic for another forum.

In HS I was a hurdler and was fairly good at it and pretty consistent. I had very good rhythm and great flexibility and could get over the highs even with my size. I am only 5’10”.

Now that I am older I know that the highs are 3″ taller. I am afraid that my size more than anything will be more of a problem than my time off. For the past year and a half I have spent a lot of time in the gym getting my strength back and I have now switched to track work for the past few months. I have been working hurdles some keeping them low and I have discovered that I have not lost any of my flexibility and have possibly gained speed due to my weight room workouts. I have however gained size from roughly 135lbs to 175lbs.

I know the average hurdler is taller. Has anyone done or coached the hurdles at 42″ with someone my size? I guess I won’t really know if I can do it or not until I raise them up but I am not ready for that yet. It has taken some time for me to get over my first hurdle fear again and to work on my 3 step.

Thanks, I look forward to reading/posting more here.

I didn’t have a problem and I’m shorter than you.