Tiffany Porter is one of those rarified athletes who can battle the best in the world in her specialty. That specialty is the 100 meter hurdles, the most competitive event in global track & field. The difference between first and sixth is less than a blink of an eye.
The technique for hurdling is an acquired skill set: sprinting, getting over the hurdle, braking, and sprinting once again. Those who can be successful over the barriers risk all in each and every race. All of the good ones fall, all of the great ones fall even more. To win all, one must risk all.
Tiffany Porter, photo by PhotoRun.net
Under the thoughtful guidance of Raina Reider, Tiffany Porter has won four medals in the four major championships she competed in from the summer of 2013 to the present. In Moscow, at the World Championships, Tiffany took the bronze in August 2013. In Sopot, Poland, Tiffany Porter took a bronze over the 60 meter hurdles in March 2014. Porter’s first appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland in July 2014 was a silver medal.
In August 2014, at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich, Switzerland, Tiffany Porter put it all together and won the 100 meter hurdles in fine fashion–her first gold medal.
The best, however, was yet to come. In September 2014, at the Continental Cup, in Marrakech, Tiffany Porter ran the race of her life, battling Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper Nelson to the tape, finishing second.
Harper-Nelson and Porter in Marrakech,
photo from the Shoe Addicts
In that wonderful race, Tiffany Porter ran 12.51, the new British record, and in that performance, opened the eyes of many hurdle fans of her true potential.
We sent these questions to Tiffany just before Christmas. This was her response.
RunBlogRun, # 1. What is the toughest part of the 100m hurdles?
Tiffany Porter: The 100m hurdles is such a fun event because there are obstacles that each runner needs to overcome…literally. It’s great, but it can also be challenging because there are a lot of opportunities for error if you’re not careful. Your focus has to be spot on at all times but that’s what makes the event so exciting!
RunBlogRun, # 2. Tell us about the European champs final?
Tiffany Porter: it was a fantastic experience to finally finish with GOLD! My season prior to the champs ruled me out as the favourite and it was very fulfilling to put together a good race when it mattered the most.
RunBlogRun, #3. If you could do any other event in athletics what would it be?
Tiffany Porter: Long Jump. I played around with it at University and I love the event.
RunBlogRun, # 4. What is your biggest memory of Sopot?
Tiffany Porter: The finish of my race. My start was bad but I came on very strong at the end, which is hard to do in such a short race!
RunBlogRun, # 5. What is your biggest memory of Glasgow?
Tiffany Porter: It was cool to compete at my first Commonwealth Games and to experience first hand how great of a host Scotland was!
RunBlogRun, # 6. Tell us about working with coach Raina Reider?
Tiffany Porter: it’s been awesome. 4 major medals in two years with his guidance…it speaks for itself
RunBlogRun, # 7. What are your plans for 2015?
Tiffany Porter: The indoor season isn’t a big focus but Beijing world champs is. I’m looking to upgrade my bronze medal from Moscow!
Tiffany Porter, photo by PhotoRun.net
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Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys.
Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."
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by Larry Eder
