This past weekend, I had the
opportunity to fly to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California
for a steeplechase performance workshop with my coach, Danny. I was very excited to have the opportunity to
work on my steepling technique. I did
not get a lot of technique help during college, or in my first three years as a
professional athlete.
I was not let down. My Saturday started by meeting with Iain
Hunter, a professor at BYU and bio-mechanist.
He had videotaped my steeple race at USA Outdoors and created a report showing
how my take-off, hip height, and landing compared to the range they found to
work well for the best American steeplechasers going over barriers. After reviewing the report, he videotaped me
going over hurdles and water jumps.
Next, I
did a functional movement test with a doctor and physical therapist with St. Vincent’s. They were able to pin point my biggest
weakness in running, my lower back caving in when I get tired, after a few
tests. I was given few exercises to do
every day in order to strengthen my back.
I was
then able to go over the videotape with Danny and Iain, and I got a few
pointers about how to improve my form.
This was followed by a meeting with a nutritionist, a meeting with a
sports psychologist, and a presentation by Iain to all the steeplechasers who
attended (Amber Henry, De’Sean Turner, and Matt Cleaver).
The
next morning I was able to practice hurdling while trying to incorporate the
suggested changes with Iain and Danny.
I got
to catch up with University of Minnesota track alumni, Liz Podomonick, who made
the world team in the discus last year, and moved into the training center this
fall. She has a great set-up – healthy prepared
food always available, beautiful weather, easily accessible training centers,
and in-house coach, medical services, massage therapy, nutritionist, and sports
psychologist. The hardest part for her,
and everyone else, I’m sure, is going back to dormitory style living. She has to share a small room with another
athlete, which is difficult returning to in your late 20’s!