As you can probably assume from the subject, what is the ideal type of runner that could potentially become a successful collegiate steeplechase runner? Body type? Height? Best event? Strength? Speed? etc........
As you can probably assume from the subject, what is the ideal type of runner that could potentially become a successful collegiate steeplechase runner? Body type? Height? Best event? Strength? Speed? etc........
It requires two things.
The ability to actually clear the hurdle (a lot of people can't.)
The desire to run the event (a lot of people don't want to.)
If you're already a distance runner, and meet those two criteria, you can be a steepler with the right training.
If you're like me (and most other steeplers especially lower ranks) you do SC because you do not have much talent on the flat. I had a good career picking up minor champs. accolades because the real athletes stayed away.
Anyway, if I were a coach looking for SC material, I'd look for someone with good 1500 speed but also good XC results. Secondary to that, is naturally efficient hurdling technique and this might be helped by relatively long legs. Yes I know there are short 'chasers and some horrible hurdlers (lookin at you, Kenyans) but ideally good compact technique is best.
The thing is that most good Milers wouldn't go there for potential injury reasons. So you need desire, and a robust set o pins.
Body Type: Skinny
Height: Not too short
Best Event: Steeplechase
Strength: Yes
Speed: yes
etc: Tough as nails. Mentally and physically.
There is a lot of surging in the steeplechase. A lot of running in bunches. A lot of running wide to get an idea where the hurdle is. The best place to be is out front. There is a lot of spiking. Pushing for position. Wet feet. Different spikes. You'll fall at some point. Its a tough event.
Own it and you'll succeed.
ackack wrote:
If you're like me (and most other steeplers especially lower ranks) you do SC because you do not have much talent on the flat. I had a good career picking up minor champs. accolades because the real athletes stayed away.
Anyway, if I were a coach looking for SC material, I'd look for someone with good 1500 speed but also good XC results. Secondary to that, is naturally efficient hurdling technique and this might be helped by relatively long legs. Yes I know there are short 'chasers and some horrible hurdlers (lookin at you, Kenyans) but ideally good compact technique is best.
The thing is that most good Milers wouldn't go there for potential injury reasons. So you need desire, and a robust set o pins.
This is completely untrue and ignorant. To assume someone runs the steeplechase because they lack talent in the more traditional events isn't right. Is it the case for some? Sure, why not. But for the majority of us steeplers, we are just as capable as running other events as we are the Steeplechase. Saying that the "real athletes" stay away from the steeplechase is such an ignorant statement. Go read articles that study the steeplechase and you'll see that steeplers have to be just as athletic, probably more so, to run the event because it requires so much more than just running talent. If I didn't know better, I would assume you're a mediocre steeplechaser who is jealous of those having real success in the event. And I don't mean that as a dig or insult, I just don't like seeing steeplers put on blast and insulted.
And of course she's a chick. Pretty common knowledge that the real runners aren't in the steeple. Start somewhere else and if they don't have success they move to steeple. But a title is a title
Hip flexibility
That's ridiculous.What is common knowledge is that people who tried the steeplechase and failed like to talk down about the steeplechase. If it is so easy then why don't the 10k and 5k people switch over and win? Are they saying the steeple isn't as valuable. Are they seriously holding out because they can't imagine doing a "lesser" event? You are an idiot. It is a more technical event and a lot of the "more talented" 10K and 5K runners can't handle hurdling obstacles and changing pace so often. You have to be athletic and mentally tough in a different way then running a 5K on the track.
SteepleProspect wrote:
As you can probably assume from the subject, what is the ideal type of runner that could potentially become a successful collegiate steeplechase runner? Body type? Height? Best event? Strength? Speed? etc........
height: 5' 9"
weight: 132 lbs
birthplace: Rift Valley area of Kenya
events: XC, 3K, 5K
The stats of Said Saaeed Shaheen
steeplechick1212 wrote:
Go read articles that study the steeplechase and you'll see that steeplers have to be just as athletic, probably more so, to run the event because it requires so much more than just running talent.
Couldn't agree more.
You have to be able to hurdle the barriers. You have confidently be able to step on the water jump barrier/ or be good enough to clear it.
You have to have to run in traffic and hurdle.
I would say the sense of space in a Steeple chaser has to be as finely tuned as any person who does field events or or high or intermediate hurdles.
If I wanted to work with someone to develop a great steepler I would look for:
*Strength oriented miler. Good speed but strong. Surging into and out of 35 barriers wears on you. Having good primary speed usually means you are a little more coordinated and having that to fall back on helps.
*Above average (for runners) coordination to handle the surges, moving in & out to see the barriers clearly, negotiating slowing runners.
*Tough mindset. The event feels real easy for a several laps then suddenly feels like someone hit you with a board if run correctly.
*Body type, height, weight,....are all secondary to the above in my opinion.
You need to be fearless. I’ve watched people that had a gymnastics background run steeple and they seem to pass less talented competitors with ease over the hurdles and water jumps, especially later in the race when the legs are heavy.
Whosteeples wrote:
And of course she's a chick. Pretty common knowledge that the real runners aren't in the steeple. Start somewhere else and if they don't have success they move to steeple. But a title is a title
Funny how two of the last women to win world championships for the US in middle distance or distance events were both steeplechase runners at one point or another. Jenny Simpson first went to the Olympics in the steeple, and yet somehow found a way to overcome the fact that she wasn't a "real runner" to win a world championship in the 1500. Yes, Emma Coburn won a world championship in the steeple, but she also somehow found a way to overcome her lack of talen in real running events to win the NCAA indoor mile title and run the fastest time in the NCAA in the 1500 her senior year of college. So just so we are clear on what qualifies as a real runner, please tell us how many NCAA and world titles you have in your "real" running events.
Devil Dog wrote:
It requires two things.
The ability to actually clear the hurdle (a lot of people can't.)
The desire to run the event (a lot of people don't want to.)
If you're already a distance runner, and meet those two criteria, you can be a steepler with the right training.
The third thing is to be fast at 3000m. Jacob's best distance might be 3000 and I believe he could set a Steeple WR. No one with anywhere near his ability at 1500/5000 has ever run the Steeple.
You need a manbun, clearly.
Athletic (a tough calling for many runners), good sprint speed (51ish 400) combined w/the strength of a 5k and CC runner. If you don't have decent sprint speed, you can get by on strength for the most part but will be exposed big time in high level meets. The event is brutally hard; toughest on the track IMO.
SDSU Aztec wrote:
Devil Dog wrote:
It requires two things.
The ability to actually clear the hurdle (a lot of people can't.)
The desire to run the event (a lot of people don't want to.)
If you're already a distance runner, and meet those two criteria, you can be a steepler with the right training.
The third thing is to be fast at 3000m. Jacob's best distance might be 3000 and I believe he could set a Steeple WR. No one with anywhere near his ability at 1500/5000 has ever run the Steeple.
Kiptanui? Shaheen?
uhm well wrote:
SDSU Aztec wrote:
The third thing is to be fast at 3000m. Jacob's best distance might be 3000 and I believe he could set a Steeple WR. No one with anywhere near his ability at 1500/5000 has ever run the Steeple.
Kiptanui? Shaheen?
And Keino, but a few outliers doesn't prove anything. Runners that are fast enough to win a medal at 1500 or 5000, rarely run the Steeple. Jager is an outstanding distance runner, but he could never medal in the 1500 or 5000.