The Bowdoin Orient

December 8, 2000
Volume CXXXII, Number 12

Pentathlon: The ultimate indoor track challenge

by CAIT FOWKES, COPY EDITOR

   To many athletes, running is associated with punishment-maybe for being too slow at practice or not having the endurance to perform well throughout the game. So maybe it's a fair statement to say that track athletes must be super tough because their whole sport is considered punishment.
   However, despite the talent and discipline runners demonstrate-from the explosive speed of the 55m dash to the grueling stamina it takes to finish the 300m run-there is a whole other world that exists during the Indoor Track season: the field events.
   Believe it or not, there is much more to the field events than meets the eye. Sure, long jump seems pretty easy, and it even looks like fun to land in a pit of sand. However, it takes a tremendous amount of speed to carry the jumper down the runway, explosive legs to propel her up and forward through the air as well as coordination between the arms and legs to maximize the distance of the jump before the landing.
   The hurdles are not the easiest event, either. Think about how hard it must be to sprint as fast as you can with obstacles in your way! There is a certain rhythm to the hurdles that enables the ideal number of strides to be taken between each hurdle, as well as ensure that the appropriate leg will be forward to get over them. There is a definite technique necessary in hurdling that cuts down the time it takes to get over the hurdle and ensure that no mishaps with the hurdles take place. Hurdlers are known for their creative injuries and perilous adventures with the hurdles.
   Or what about the high jump? How easy can it really be for women to powerfully drive their bodies five feet or higher into the air off one foot, arch gracefully over a bar and land into a pit below them? There is a great deal of precision with respect to the number of springing strides taken to approach the bar at a specific speed in order to ensure the optimal position for the penultimate step and final plant to take off.
   Throwing seems like one of those events that just about anybody could do. The shot put looks like an oversized softball, but the eight-pound, thirteen-ounce implement would cause serious shoulder and elbow injuries if you attempted to throw it like a softball. Throwing entails much more than upper body strength. A good thrower derives much of her power from strong legs swiftly gliding backwards across the throwing circle, coordinated with a powerful torso and strong upper body to project the implement forward. All of this force is thrown into one swiftly coordinated movement, transferring all of your weight forward without losing footing and risking a foul by losing balance and stepping out of the circle.
   Many people specialize in certain inter-related field events. For instance, a shot putter may also throw the twenty-pound weight during the season, while a long jumper might compete in the triple jump as well.
   Runners often double up on events in meets, perhaps running the 55m dash as well as the 4x200m relay. Generally speaking, individuals who specialize in the throws do not make the best distance runners while a high jumper may not make the best thrower. This idea is what makes the pentathlon such an amazing event.
   The pentathlon is an event where individuals must perform the 55m high hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump, and 800m run. This is a true test of speed, agility, explosiveness, and endurance. Competing in five different events is both mentally taxing and physically draining. It is often difficult to regroup after a poor performance when you know that there are four events left to complete. Even after a solid performance it can be difficult to psych yourself up for each additional event.
   It takes a truly unique individual to want to compete under these circumstances, and train for such a variety of events. Only well conditioned athletes with versatile ability can fearlessly run the hurdles, gracefully and flexibly high jump, powerfully throw the shot put, explosively long jump, and have enough energy to race a tough 800m.
   If anyone is interested in seeing this event, you can catch Julia Febiger '03 and Caitlin Fowkes '03 at Bates today, December 8 at 3:00 p.m.., representing the Bowdoin Women's Track Team at the ultimate indoor track challenge.