Hurdling

Hurdling is a track event that involves booth speed and timing. One has to run as well as clear a small wooden barrier. The hurled are placed on the track and the runners jump over as they run. Professional runners are said not to even look at the hurdles as they go over. It is all done by counting steps and swinging the leg over.

The history of hurdling began in 1830 in England. This involved placing wooden barriers on a track of 100 yards. The following year the first timed races took place at both Oxford and Cambridge universities. The course was changes to a 120 yard run and the barriers increased to a height of 3 ½ feet. This standard remained until 1907 when the Germans made all hurdles 1 meter in height.

Hurdling takes skill and a bit of courage. Getting the count right is essential. Messing up the count can result in lost time and bad falls. Even professional athletes have been hurt badly as the result of making bad contact with a hurdle.

To practice, athletes will run hurdle drills. They practice day in and day out until their form, style, speed and timing are all perfect. Those that want to become professional hurdlers are advised to start practicing as soon as possible. This way all of the mechanics and fundamentals will be second nature by the time they reach adulthood.

Hurdle training is intense. Hours upon days upon months upon years of practice is required. Hurdling requires the athlete to compete against other runners as well as him or herself. However, with intense training and commitment the young person will eventually master the art of hurdling.

To be a master of hurdling one has to have a great sense of timing and speed. One also has to be a bit brave and not hold back when it comes time to go over. Many have hesitated and fallen giving them serious injuries. Hurdling began almost 200 years ago and has grown immensely in style and popularity. To master hurdling takes years of training and commitment. Generally the younger one starts the better.