Norwegian Record in womens long jump

European Championship BARCELONA (from ANB)

A week ago, she considered dropping out of the European Championships. But now Margrethe Renstrøm does not regret that she changed her mind.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W63QyRr_MAY]

Without the pressures and expectations, due to her knee, Margrethe Renstrøm qualified for the long jump final in Barcelona. Against all odds, she improved her Norwegian record from last year by 4cm - to 6.68m.

And was rewarded with an unexpected in the final of her  European Championship debut.

Unreal

- "This is hardly to be believe. Yes, almost unreal," exclaimed 25-year-old from Søgne when she had barely digested the record shock.

Almost a year she has struggled with jumpers knee in her right leg. Also when she beat Berit Bert´s legendary and ancient Norwegian record (6.56) in the National finals in Lillehammer last year, she was bothered by it.

- "But I have managed to keep it in check, partly by adding to the training so that the load on the right leg has become less, "says Renstrøm. But a week ago the pain worsened. It was so bad that she seriously considered dropping the whole European tour.

She had written off the final

- "But after a training session in Kristiansand Stadium last Thursday, I decided nevertheless to travel", she says.

And the regret she certainly does not today. For now, she is suddenly in the European Championship finals, she had long ago written off the possibility of.

- Early in the season there was a realistic goal. But this situation has been in the past, there has not been in my thoughts, "said Tjalve-girl overwhelmed.

- I was really happy just to come here, and had no pressure at all, "she adds.

Rises when it comes
But perhaps precisely why it was surprising result as it was - in addition to that, she apparently is a championship performer.

- Yes, I have the ability to raise me in the championship. It can often go so-so in training, but I manage to exploit the tension positive regard, "says Southerners, who either could not unsettle that first jump was dead.

- I had not completed a full jump more than once in the past month, so I was very uncertain in advance. Front of the second attempt I moved the run-half feet backwards to be sure. And it ended with a perfect board. There was absolutely no talk of a hedge jump. I just "snogging the" smiling Margrethe.

The situation reminded undeniably the Championship last year, when she was struck with a record jump by four invalid attempts. (ANB)

Switching satsfot?
Our record holder in long jump has long considered to replace satsfot.

- I did not take a chance on it now, but there is a possibility that I will do it eventually, "said Renstrøm who jumped 6.10 to bet on his left foot.

But that is enough right foot in Wednesday's European Championship finals. A final she had expected to see from the stands. Now, she is instead one of the players.

Against all odds.

Movement Drills

All athletic exercises require good technique to perform them. To show you how to build a usefull technique I have introduced a series of basic movement drill videos. These include walking and running transition drills, hurdle walk overs/knee drives drills and jumping drills. Click each picture below to view and download to your video-ipod to take away into your training environment.

Hurdle Walk Overs - Right knee drive, left knee drive and full walk overs
Focus on moving your legs fast and freely, using a big and fast arm action. This exercise is as much about arm technique as leg technique so make sure to remember this. Try placing white tape or arm bands around your wrists so you can easily see if you are driving you arms up to your eye level. Keep an upright body posture through out.
5 Hurdles 3-4 feet apart, waist height. Drive the right knee and step over the hurdle placing the foot straight down on the floor. Follow with the left using a hurdling trail leg action, again placing the foot straight down on the floor. Repeat as fast as possible for all 5 hurdles. This is one rep, perform 3 reps and move on to left knee knee drives. The technique is the same driving the left knee first, perform 3 reps and move onto full walk overs. For the full walk overs, step over each hurdle in one stride placing the foot straight down. All these exercises are good for your running action and hip mobility.

Hurdle Drills - Knee and Straight Leg Drives
Use 5 hurdles up to waist high, 3-4 feet apart. Knee Drives - Using a lateral movement drive each knee lifting the foot over each hurdle. Going over all 5 hurdles and back again is one rep. Do 3 reps and move on to Straight Leg Drives. For the Straight Leg Drives do the same but bring the leg over each hurdle while keeping it as straight as possible. Use a good arm action for both of these drills. Focus on a good posture and moving your legs as fast as you can. These drills are good for establishing rhythm and leg speed. It is good to do this in pairs, on either side of the hurdles, allowing athletes to compete for speed.

Brazilian Twists
Agility, Balance and Co-ordination. All of these are covered in this exercise. Be as quick as you can with the upper body when turning. Keep the legs neat with a high knee action and stay light on your feet bouncing on the ball of your foot. Use 5 hurdle up to waist height. Perform 3 reps clockwise and 3 reps anti-clockwise for one set. 2 - 3 sets will do it.

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World's Fastest Men Documentary

Michael Johnson presents an inside look at sprinting and the motivation behind the athletes. A must see for any competitive sprinter. Click here or the picture to view and download to your video-ipod.