Hello,
I am a female runner. In highschool I ran hurdles for 2 years, and was okay at them. 100m- 17.4 and 300m-48.6. Now, I run cross country for a small D2 with a 5k of 19:06. I was wondering if anyone thought I would have any potential as a steeplechase runner. I'm not saying with the ability of contending with the elite or anything, but is it worth a shot?
the steeple is a strength race. 19:06 for 5k does not bode well.
A 19:06 5k is ok for a D2 girl. The steeplechaser on the women's team at the NAIA college I went to wasn't even close to breaking 20:00 (I think her times were more like 21:30) and she also ran 800m in track. You will do just fine in the steeplechase if you can hold your hurdle technique for an entire 3k race.
uh oh wrote:
the steeple is a strength race. 19:06 for 5k does not bode well.
I forgot to add that I also run the 800. Last year I broke 2:15 consistently.
Yeah, you'll do fine. Seeing as how this is your first year do cross country and you already have a decent 800 time+hurdling experience you should be able to get some good races in towards the end of your season. Give yourself a little time to get used to the race, its a tricky bugger.
It sounds like the 800 is your best event
Sounds like you should give it a try. Your strength will only improve since you just started with distance. The steeple is a strength event but the pace often feels slow (especially since you have solid speed). It's about enduring and being tough and the hurdles shouldn't be a huge issue since you have experience with hurdle form. Give it a shot, you should do well if you continue to get stronger.