I'm a high schooler with PRs of 4:15/9:16 that is very interested in running the steeplechase in college. How can I practice this on a track with no steeple chase barriers. Are hurdles a good substitute?
I'm a high schooler with PRs of 4:15/9:16 that is very interested in running the steeplechase in college. How can I practice this on a track with no steeple chase barriers. Are hurdles a good substitute?
Use the sprint hurdles. If you can clear those, you will easily clear the steeples.
Steeple barriers are just chunky hurdles
Hurdles work just fine as a substitute, just practice clearing them completely as the steeple barriers obviously won't fall over if you hit them like a hurdle will.
As for the water barrier, if you can't get your hands on an actual barrier, try finding a stable platform as close to 36in high as possible to jump onto. This part is difficult if you don't have an actual barrier, but since you'll likely jump on top of it in a race, this honestly isn't hard to get the hang of. The only part that you would need some practice for is clearing the water.
Imagination steeples 4x every lap
You need to go back to the roots of steeplechase to get good at it. Hurdles won't help. You need to rob a convenience store and have the cops chase you through backyards with fences.
Try again
Wait til you get to college and practice then
just run baby
-Get 4 hurdles,
-set them at boys steeple height (based on times provided) 36", middle click.
-put 2 back to back against 2 others
-wrap the tops and legs with a little duct tape
-put pool noodles on tops and duct tape them as well.
-if you're not confident with the 36" height, make sure you leave the legs so they are adjustable until you come to terms with that height.
-even if you step on the tops, they should be able to tolerate your weight.
-use the long jump runways and pits for water jump practice.
Plyo box into sand pits is a great practice for the water jump.
Hurdles work great for the other barriers as long as you plan on hurdling them.
With those kind of PRs, I would think you have big meets and great opportunities ahead of you at the regional and state level. I wouldn't risk those opportunities by messing around with hurdles and I never would have wanted/allowed an athlete to do it.
Imagine yourself saying, "I could have had a great shot at winning (insert meet here) but I got hurt jumping hurdles."
You never get another shot at a track meet. Don't risk sidelining yourself. Go ask your coach if this is a good idea.
RossiCheated wrote:
With those kind of PRs, I would think you have big meets and great opportunities ahead of you at the regional and state level. I wouldn't risk those opportunities by messing around with hurdles and I never would have wanted/allowed an athlete to do it.
Imagine yourself saying, "I could have had a great shot at winning (insert meet here) but I got hurt jumping hurdles."
You never get another shot at a track meet. Don't risk sidelining yourself. Go ask your coach if this is a good idea.
+1. Very solid advice.