Have you been following the USATF (United States of America Track & Field) events these past few weeks? I have, and it’s been electrifying thus far. There have been some records broken followed by many personal bests amongst the athletes. If you don’t know this by now, I am a huge track & field fan, I can sit and watch these events all day. Let’s highlight a few of the events below.
Sidney McLaughlin broke the women’s 400-meter hurdle world record by running a 51.90-second race. I can tell you from experience that the 400 hurdles event is probably the most difficult race. In this race, you are expected to run as fast as you can while jumping over hurdles. In addition, you need to be prepared to jump over the hurdles with both legs, otherwise, if you favor one side you will stutter-step toward a hurdle. Stuttering to a hurdle will cost you valuable time in the race. Sidney seems more comfortable leading with her right leg over the hurdles but at about 2:50 seconds in the video, you will see her lead with her left leg. During the last 100 meters, you see her final kick, which allowed her to surpass the former world record holder Dalilah Muhammad. The race starts at 2:33
Next, we have Ryan Crouser who began the Olympic trials with his phenomenal shot put throw of 23.37 meters!! He broke the record by about 8 inches. This is an example of everything working in his favor from the technique of his spin & release while keeping his balance to no fault on the throw. After his throw, they may need to extend the lines that measure his throws as he almost threw it past marking distance. By the way who is his barber? Did you notice how clean-shaven his neck was? Awesome throw Ryan!! (throw starts at 20 seconds)
Lastly, Erriyon Knighton ran a semifinal which is a new world junior record-beating Usain bolt who ran a 19.93 in 2004. Noah just turned 17 years of age this past January. He eased up towards to end as he broke the record in his semi-final run. In the finals, he ran another Personal best of 19.74 which landed him in 3rd place. Either way, he will be going to Tokyo and has more time to add to his legendary status. (The race starts at 1:45)
other notable sports races, Sha’carri Richardson ran a 10.87 in 100 meters during these trials making her the current fastest woman in the U.S. Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce (Big up my Jamaicans) ran a 10.63 in a 100-meter race earlier this year making her currently In the In worlds In fastest woman in that race. Gabby Thomas is a Harvard Student athlete who ran a personal best of 21.61 in the 200 meters to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. And one of my all-time favorite athletes, Allison Felix will be competing in Tokyo in the 400-meter dash, which is my favorite event. Good luck to all these athletes who will compete in Tokyo, I cannot wait to see them perform.
P.S If you are a runner, athlete, or participate in Track & field and you want to train like the pros, please reach out to me.
N'Namdi Nelson, M.B.A, CSCS, ACSM-EP, PES, CES