Overall Performance
Sheila Hernaiz had a commendable performance in the 2019 New York Hyrox race, finishing with an overall rank of 110 out of 263 athletes, putting her in the top 41% of participants. In her age group (35-39), she ranked 26th out of 55 athletes, placing her in the top 47%. Her total race time was 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 45 seconds.
Hernaiz displayed impressive running abilities, with a total running time of 56 minutes and 56 seconds, which was 5 minutes and 33 seconds faster than the average for her finish time. Her best running lap was 5 minutes and 39 seconds, showing her proficiency in this aspect of the race.
Segments to Improve
1. Sled Push: Hernaiz took 8 minutes and 2 seconds to complete the Sled Push, which was 3 minutes and 54 seconds slower than the average. To improve her performance in this segment, she should focus on building strength and power in her lower body and core. Exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and lunges can help improve her pushing strength. Additionally, incorporating explosive movements like sled pushes and prowler pushes into her training routine can further enhance her performance in this segment.
2. Sled Pull: Hernaiz completed the Sled Pull in 10 minutes and 42 seconds, which was 1 minute and 26 seconds slower than the average. To improve her performance in this segment, she should work on developing stronger upper body and back muscles. Exercises such as rows, pull-ups, and lat pulldowns can help improve her pulling strength. Additionally, practicing proper technique and body positioning during the sled pull can help optimize her performance.
3. Wall Balls: Hernaiz took 8 minutes and 34 seconds to complete the Wall Balls segment, which was 1 minute and 5 seconds slower than the average. To improve her performance in this segment, she should focus on developing her lower body strength and improving her endurance. Exercises such as squats, lunges, and box jumps can help enhance her lower body strength and power. Additionally, incorporating high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts that involve wall balls can improve her endurance in this specific movement.
4. Rowing: Hernaiz completed the rowing segment in 6 minutes and 52 seconds, which was 45 seconds slower than the average. To improve her performance in rowing, she should focus on building her cardiovascular endurance and improving her rowing technique. Incorporating regular rowing workouts into her training routine can help improve her rowing efficiency and overall performance.
5. Farmers Carry: Hernaiz took 3 minutes and 44 seconds to complete the Farmers Carry, which was 41 seconds slower than the average. To improve her performance in this segment, she should work on developing her grip strength and overall muscular endurance. Exercises such as farmer's carries, deadlifts, and grip-specific exercises (e.g., plate pinches, farmer's walks) can help enhance her grip strength. Additionally, focusing on improving her overall muscular endurance through high-repetition resistance training can benefit her performance in this segment.
Strategies
1. Pacing: It is important for Hernaiz to maintain a consistent pace throughout the race to optimize her performance. While she displayed excellent running abilities, it is crucial for her to gauge her energy expenditure and not start too fast, which can lead to fatigue later on. Implementing a strategic pacing plan that allows her to maintain a steady effort level throughout the race can result in improved overall performance.
2. Strength Training: Given Hernaiz's strength profile, it is recommended for her to continue focusing on strength training exercises that target her lower body, upper body, and core. Incorporating compound exercises such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and overhead presses into her training routine can help improve her overall strength and power, leading to enhanced performance in the strength-related segments of the race.
3. Running Training: While Hernaiz demonstrated excellent running abilities, it is still important for her to continue training her running endurance and speed. Incorporating interval training, tempo runs, and hill sprints into her running workouts can help enhance her running performance and maintain her competitive edge.
4. Transition Time: Hernaiz should aim to minimize the time spent in the Roxzone (transition zone) to optimize her overall race time. Improving her overall fitness and specifically focusing on transition drills and techniques can help reduce her transition time and ensure a seamless transition between segments.
In conclusion, Sheila Hernaiz showed strong running abilities and displayed a competitive performance in the 2019 New York Hyrox race. To further enhance her performance, she should focus on improving her strength in the Sled Push and Sled Pull segments, as well as her lower body strength and endurance in the Wall Balls and Farmers Carry segments. Implementing specific training strategies and techniques, such as targeted strength exercises and form corrections, can help her turn these areas of improvement into strengths. Additionally, she should work on maintaining a consistent pace throughout the race, continue training her running abilities, and aim to minimize transition time for optimal overall performance.