Once a Hurdler, Always a Hurdler!

by Liz Palmer
(Folsom, CA)

Hi Carmel...it's been far too long since I contributed something to your website, but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading.

Thanks for the blurb on my AR in the W50 80m hurdles. I feel like I've come full circle with the hurdles.

I was a standout prep athlete who finished top three in the Colorado high school state meet for the 110 yard hurdles (yes, yards back then!).

Unfortunately my collegiate career never really got off the ground as I had a serious injury that took away my competitive desire for the hurdles. However I enjoyed my college years in other ways, and after college I established a career, got married, started a family, etc.

I was a power walker and then a jogger as I endeavored to keep the middle-aged pounds at bay but I discovered masters track in 2005 and it's been a love affair ever since then.

Getting back in shape was probably the hardest thing I have ever done. I set my eye on the W50 American record early this year since I turned 50 in August, and it was a most satisfying end to the 2010 season.

It's true that I do a lot of weights and resistance work as part of my training plan. Weights are essential to develop the strength needed in order to push off from the blocks and drive through the hurdles.

I also do sprint intervals of varying distances for sprint speed and sprint endurance and I work on hurdle and sprint technique extensively.

Finally, I stretch thoroughly every day. You must be flexible in the hamstrings, groin, and hips in order to be a successful hurdler.

I alternate lifting and running days. I'm very fortunate in that my employer has a fitness center on-site, so on lifting days I use my lunch hour as a workout session and when finished I rush back and gobble my lunch at my desk.

On running days I duck into the restroom on my way out of work, change, and meet my teammates at the local college track for a sprint or hurdle workout.

Since I work full-time as an accountant and have a son at home who is a junior in high school, I have to be very efficient with my time! My son is also a hurdler on the high school team, and we do our Sunday morning workouts together.

I plan on trying the 300m hurdles as a new event for me in 2011 --this is my son's best race so if I work hard enough to keep up with him, perhaps I'll have success in this at the 2011 WMA meet in Sacramento!

Best wishes to you and your readers
Liz