Running Hurdles in track? ?

Question

I was thinking of trying track as a freshman next spring, mostly to keep in shape for soccer. I am good at long distances, but not very fast. I would say probably average. I am in good shape though. I was thinking about running more distance than sprinting, but now I would also really like to try hurdles.

I am also a dancer, I am good at leaps and stuff, would that help at all?

I have pretty long legs will that make it easier?

Do you have to be fast to run hurdles?

And how hard is it to learn?

Answer 1

Hurdles you need to be fast, and it is easy to learn, hard to learn to do right

Answer 2

Being good at leaping vertically will not help you in the hurdles; if you try it, you will actually be slowing yourself down. Hurdling is a different technique from jumping. Watch some Youtube videos of hurdlers and you will notice that they just barely go over the hurdle. The point is not the jump over them, you waste your energy and your time.

Hurdles are 100 meters and 400 meters. 400 meters is about 0.25 miles.You should still be sprinting the entire way with that.

If you like long distances, try the mile, two mile and Cross Country.

I ran both sets of hurdles in high school and competed in long and triple jump. I am now working on half and full marathons, so it is definitely possible to be interested in both sprinting and longer distances. If you ever wanted to be really competitive though, you would have to choose a specialty.

Answer 3

hurdles is a lot of technique. there was a kid i knew who wasn't that fast but good at hurdles because of his technique.

Answer 4

try 400 hurdles. you dont have to be that fast. but you need to be able to push yourself alot. dancing and long legs always help in striding and hurdles. generally dancers learn hurdles more efficiently however, you will need to be less graceful and get your feet down onto the track asap. technique is a major part of hurdling. if you have great technique but avg speed you definitely will win against one that is fast with poor technique.

Answer 5

Sounds like you would be good at the 300 meter high hurdles.  Hurdles are all about timing your steps up to the hurdle without studder stepping and pacing yourself the entire distance.