Advice from a Hurdler

[SlateTheGreat]

I run track at Azusa Pacific and we're a national champion team in the NAIA multiple times and moving to NCAA d2 after next year so I feel like I should contribute something.

Whatever you may do or write in this forum just remember four things:

1. Water water water. Drink enough to stay hydrated but don't overhydrate. Keep a balance of water and salty foods to maintain the electrolyte balance in your body. People have died just as much from being too hydrated as dehydrated.

2. Pay attention to your body. If something hurts more than just the average soreness/tired-ness, don't push it. Better to rest and let your body recover than injure yourself and be out for a lot longer than a few days rest.

3. Shoes! Invest in a solid pair of running shoes. I have flat feet so I need very cushioned shoes to avoid shin splints (tearing of the muscle away from the bone). As my shoes wear down or when we have a lot of days where we hurdle in spikes, my shin starts hurting pretty badly. The best shoes I have ever worn are the Nike Pegasus shoes. These things are A-Mazing! Incredibly comfortable and have lasted me since September so far.

4. More is not always better. Many a time has someone thought, "Hey I squatted 250 pretty easily, why not do 300?" and just destroyed their body. Recently, around 14 or so runners from a college team, I can't remember exactly what the name was, were hospitalized because they squatted so much one day that a few days later their muscles were so broken down they were releasing toxins into their bloodstream. Know when to push yourself but know when to back off and let your body recover.


Well there's my soapbox :) running and lifting is my living so please ask me anything y'all want. I love talking about working out, it's pretty much my life outside of classes at the moment. I don't mean to sound cocky with the above but I honestly spend more time on the track or in the weight room than anywhere else, probably total is 10-20 hours a week running or lifting. And then competition every Saturday until the end of May. So yep, love track :)

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[jcjhl69]

The college you were refering to is Iowa. And thanks for the tip about the water I had no idea you could over hydrate.

[SlateTheGreat]

Thanks! I was wondering which one it was. And yea, to cite an extreme example, some radio station had a "Hold your wee for a Wii" contest and a woman died cause she drank so much water, went to bed and never woke up

[viney266]

Water is truly the key for me. If I"m down it takes me a while to re-hydrate. And just the difference in lifting. If I bring water to drink or not is amazing!!!