There is a technique that is desirable to accomplish smooth hurdling action during a race. Many runners rely mainly on raw speed, but proper technique and well-planned steps leading up to and between each hurdle will allow an efficient hurdler to outrun faster opponents. This applies to all hurdles races, men's and women's. As a coach, one should look for runners that are above average speed, light on their feet, have good stride length and excellent flexibility. Some of these individuals are likely to show a natural knack for the hurdling technique, after which it is a matter of practice and race-specific training.

When approaching the first hurdle, one does not want to stutter-step (a term used to refer to the cutting of your stride length before reaching a hurdle). This cuts the runner's momentum and costs valuable time. One should attack the hurdle by launching at the hurdle from 6-7 feet away (depending on runner's closing speed.) The lead leg should be extended yet slightly bent (because a straight leg leads to more time over the hurdle) so that the heel just narrowly clears the barrier's height. After launching, the trail leg is tucked in horizontally and flat, close to the side of the hip. The runner should feel as if he/she is narrowly avoiding knocking each hurdle down with his/her heel. The objective is to minimize center-of-gravity deviation from normal sprinting and reduce time spent flying through the air. All effort should be made to land light on one's feet and carry maximum momentum going to the next hurdle or finish line.

 

A modern hurdle will fall over if a runner hits it. Contrary to a common misconception, there is no penalty for hitting a hurdle (provided this is not judged deliberate), although it slows down the rhythm of the hurdler. However, pushing the hurdle with one's hands or running out of one's lane as a result of hitting the hurdle is cause for disqualification. While hitting hurdles is not generally considered desirable, a few sprint hurdlers have succeeded despite knocking over many hurdles. Contact with hurdles can decrease speed and also result in disruption of a hurdler's technique.(Taken from wikipedia)

                                  

 

So it is with life…just as there are certain techniques for a runner to succeed in his quest for winning in a hurdle race, there are certain techniques for an individual to succeed in his quest for winning in the race of life. 

 

Perspective, focus, perseverance, determination, motivation, attitude, mindset, are just a few of the qualities involved in overcoming hurdles in our quest for winning in the race of life. 

 

Just as a runner many times fails to win because he either knocks down or sidesteps a hurdle, an individual can find oneself in the ditch, so to speak, by falling over an obstacle or sin, and feeling as if he has just lost the race.

 

A few sprint hurdlers have succeeded despite knocking over many hurdles, so is the same principle involved in our race of life. We may fail from time to time, but we don’t have to be failures. We may be cast down, but not destroyed, as one write aptly puts it. 

 

So comes the debate, intentional or unintentional sin causes us to lose the race and thus condemn our soul to hell...what is right?  Or should I ask, who is right?

 

The runner in the hurdle race rarely intentionally knocks down a hurdle because he knows it will be a detriment to his speed, thus causing him to lose the race.  So he endeavors to have the correct stride, stamina, and concentration when he jumps his hurdles.  On the other hand, if he has a competitor close by, he may feel that it could be to his advantage to accidentally (or intentionally) cause the hurdle to fall, causing the other runner to do the same.  By the same token, if the runner is distracted by his opponent, he may accidentally (or unintentionally) knock over the hurdle, causing himself to fall while his opponent runs on to victory.

 

The parallel I am drawing here is that we all are runners in this race of life.  We may intentionally or unintentionally sin, causing us to fall in the ditch or even throw in the towel for a while.  But the prize awaits at the finish line, and God doesn't give up on cheering us on, just because we get sidetracked.  He knows who we are, He made us, the Bible says, "He knows our frame, He made us from dust", "He knows the number of hairs on our head"; on and on, there are assurances that we can win in this race of life.  The key to victory lies at the foot of the cross.  The only ones who don't unlock the doors that adversity sets in front of them are the ones who have hardened their hearts or feel self-sufficient.  That's the only way one can lose in this race of life. The ultimate price for winning was paid on the cross, when Jesus said, "It is finished", He sealed our possibility for being a winner.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son (Jesus), that whosoever believes on Him will not perish, but have everlasting life." 

 

Repentance is a way of life, for without it we walk in a life of self-will and degradation that leads to destruction.  But, if we don't give up, if we pick ourselves up by our shoe laces and head for the finish line, the hurdles will grow dimmer and dimmer in the shadows as we jump them one by one.  We must possess the qualities mentioned above constantly, or else we become convinced that there is no way we can achieve our goal and win in this race of life.

 

No matter who we are, from whence we came, or what we become, the ultimate reality is that we all can be winners in the race of life.  The apostle Paul knew what it was like to be in the ditch, intentionally and unintentionally, and he said he knew in whom he believed, and was persuaded that He (God) is able to keep that which Paul had committed unto Him (God) against that day. What day???  Today, everyday, that sin attempts to gain our attention and distract us from the pathway of righteousness.  And if you say you have no sin, you are a liar, so John says in the Word of God.  

 

Let's set our sights beyond ourselves, and run this race of life with all our might.  Don't be afraid to jump the hurdles, if you knock one down or one knocks you down, don't stay there.  Go to the foot of the cross and find the favor of God that awaits a repentant heart.  Yes, He is always willing to forgive, and yes, there are consequences that we face when we sin, but the bottom line is that the price He paid is greater than all our sin!  The finish line isn't far away!