OUCH!!

I saw my sportsmed superstar, Scott Rand, MD this morning, and after his evaluation and a precautionary X-Ray, I got a thorough injection of cortisone in my knee to relieve the inflammation.  He says I may go about my training as scheduled and agreed I should not vault until NSG just to be safe.  So, no River Vault as I expected.  If I feel anything at all in my knee during Saturday's running I am to email him and go back in for a "repeat performance injection" on Monday. It's a real blessing to have this guy in my corner.  I emailed him on Sunday and he promptly responds and says to be there at 8 AM on Tuesday.  I'm very grateful!

STILL waiting for NSG to post the actual times that we vault.  Have no idea what takes them so long, especially since entries closed two months ago.  RIDICULOUS!!!

I'm a rock music guy and yesterday enjoyed a documentary about Iron Maiden traveling the world on a tour completely contained in a 757 piloted by their lead singer.  Very cool.  So to Iron Maiden and this never ending march toward becoming a better vaulter - "The Trooper".  Bubba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXYuPMsThYs&feature=related

Just for good measure - "Hallowed by Thy Name"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBtLMLQfiRo&feature=related

AND "Wasted Years"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXYuPMsThYs&feature=related

Three Weeks Out = Tunnel Vision

I had a really good lift, bars and stretch in the hot garage this morning but held off posting this until the real test this afternoon - 10 X 50m hill/sleds in 96 degree heat.  I've been going out in the heat in preparation for NSG and Sacramento but today the concern was how bad would the outside of my left knee be?  It flared badly at the meet Satruday and I felt it yesterday on my stairs, and some just walking around the house.  So two days after it nearly stopped me at a meet, how would it feel and why would I be testing it?

I got up to 50-60% and it felt pretty good though I could feel I was staying just below the flare threshold.  Pretty dang good considering I could not walk without a limp two days ago.  This just assures me that it is a tendonitis which will immediately respond to a cortisone injection. 

The WHY about today is that I have an appointment with my sportsmed physician at 8 AM tomorrow and if he shoots it I can't run for 3-4 days.  I can't afford to miss that running rotation so I went a day early.  Of course I will report back what the expert has to say but as of right now and this second, I'm very optimistic I will be 100% for NSG - three weeks from today. Thank you and have a great day!  Bubba

Sammy Hagar/Van Halen - "There's Only One Way to Rock".  It came up on hill/sled #6 when I was really struggling in the heat to get my breath and keep on grinding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCCWXAp49So&feature=related

"TCB - Taking Care of Business" - Kramer on Seinfeld

I've made the decision not to go to the San Marcos River Vault next week.  I went into that meet yesterday treating it as a practice and I'm pretty pleased with how it went considering it's my first meet since March 5.  After seeing the video and the amount of height I had on 12' 6" (3.81m) on a small pole, I feel I need to stick with my running and get this knee handled.  This way I am certain to go into NSG 100% healthy and my running speed and plant timing will be sharpened. Why the change in plans?

I went into the gym this morning to start my cardio on the stairs and really didn't know if I could do it at all because I wear ankle weights and because it requires my foot to pronate every step.  It felt a little sore and stiff at first but within two minutes I was cranking along with little problem.  Lifted all of my legs with no pain.  In fact, I felt pretty spectacular as far as strength and conditioning goes.  I usually don't feel that well the day after a meet so I must be making progress.

I emailed a lengthy letter to my sportsmed physician about 6 AM and before I even left for the gym at 8:30 he had responded that he will see me Tuesday morning at 8 AM and that this will not be a problem.  Sure made it easier to blast away in the gym. 

For better or worse I feel real confident right now. I'm strong and fast and moving poles with no practice that used to require work.  I wish I had jumped higher yesterday but it's not like I didn't have the height. I think I was more held down by the rust of not jumping.

Over the next few weeks I'll continue on with my ramp up, tons of pole plant/take off drills and be ready to go.  Thank you for all of your support and have a great Sunday!!  Bubba

TCB - The scene from Seinfeld
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKs6y9_d2ps

Taking Care of Business - The song by Bachman Turner Overdrive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCIUf8eYPqA&feature=related

Not As Bad As It Seemed

WELL, warm up went well and I felt pretty good and the conditions were good.  On my last take off I felt a little stinging flare on the outside of my left knee.  I had felt this for the first time 8 days ago on my 3rd day to jump in 6 days and thought nothing of it.  I sat around until time to jump and really thought I should probably just scratch and not jump.  BUT, on my run through it wasn't bad so I decided to give it a try.  Made 11' 6" (3.51m) and 12' (3.66m) easily on first jumps.  At 12' 6" (3.81m) I moved back a stride and up a pole like always and had big height as you see in the video below, but didn't leave it up.  Each jump of the next two my knee flared more but my run was better and I was too under at take off.  On jump 3 I nearly missed the plant box I was so under so I was running well.  It didn't affect my ability to jump but of course it bothered me that it was there and flaring.

Bigger version - http://www.bubbapv.com/Images/BubbaCoppell381.mov

SO, it did not affect my speed or my strength so it is not an injury or a ding.  Because it came on more as a flare yet I could still jump, then it is a tendinitis on the outside of my knee.  I hope to get it injected with cortisone Tuesday and jump in the River Vault Saturday.  If needed I hope to get it injected again the Monday after that.  I NEED one more jump day to feel a bit more in sync but I'm pretty pleased with where I am; but NOT with only jumping 12'.

I'm NOT a country music fan at all but I do like a local group called the PC Cowboys because they are basically a comedy act.  Since Father's Day is coming maybe you will like this clip of "Someone's Dad".  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Bubba

http://www.youtube.com/user/pccowboys#p/a/u/0/qWeztMrv2tg

And We're OFF

Four bags of poles packed and ready for tomorrow's meet. It's about a 4.5 hour drive so Don and Gary will meet me at the high school at 4:45 AM. We jump at 11 if they are on time. Really weird in that I haven't given any thought to the meet at all. I've been real busy catching up on work and and then this morning we went and picked up Nancy's new puppy.  Pansy died a week ago today so the thought was the other two dogs needed company before they settled in to dominating the house.  Lot's of chasing going on tonight.  This is Lucy, weighing in at 4 lbs. (1.6 kg) and 12 weeks old.  Should be fun.

I'll report back tomorrow but now I'll leave you with a song I keep hearing lately, Aerosmith's, "Dream On".  Bubba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLz-68n6bvI&feature=fvwrel

Sunrise

SO, I'm back from my business road trip and ready for my first meet since March 5.  This represents the "Sunrise" of my championship season.  I'll jump near Dallas on Saturday, then the San Marcos River Vault the next weekend, then the National Senior Games two weeks later and the World Masters Championships a little over three weeks later.  I'm nervous but excited.  Did my stretching both days and watched my eating. Just need to get some jumping done.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Bubba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6tV11acSRk

Winding Down

Got my last run in today with 8 X 50m hill/sleds and it felt reasonably good. I'm always a little tight and sluggish just after a leg lift and cardio.  I'll stretch every day until Saturday and do a little stretch and stride Friday when I load the poles.  Everything is a go and I'm healthy.  Now I just need to stay that way.

I keep hearing Wall of Voodoo's, "Mexican Radio" on my MP3.  It reminds me of the days before I knew that fossils could vault.  I would ski, soft sand run, body surf and mountain bike.  We did tons of mountain bike rides to Catalina Island, we went the 72 miles around Lake Tahoe, etc.  But our favorites were the Mexican rides where we would leave from Tecate, Tijuana or Rosarito and end up in the resort town of Ensenada.  I think the smallest of these races had 10,000 riders. Have a great day!  Bubba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyCEexG9xjw

The Good Old Days Are NOW!!

Today's theme is "Retro".  I'm the last person to live in the past but about half of my music during training comes from then.  I can hear Deep Purple's "Burn" and remember that I got that cassette before the drive to SFA University for a meet where I got a stadium record of 16' 4" (4.98m).  When the first Van Halen album came out in 1978 I was on my way to Antonian High School in San Antonio where I set a stadfium record that still stands - 17' 6 1/2" (5.35m).  Almost any song from the past I can picture where I was, what I was doing, who I was with, etc.  That said I can't tell you what I went to the grocery store to get.

On Facebook I communicate with vaulters from all over the world.  I actually joined to learn more about the up and coming kids of all levels and I really enjoy that too.  I also enjoy learning about new music.  Just like I like learning about new training methods.  So today I'm bridging the music gap with Bowling for Soup's, "1985", about a girl stuck in that year of her past.  Have a great day!!  Bubba

PS - HEAVY short lift and nice stretch today!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K38xNqZvBJI

Recharging My Good Luck Penny

With my first meet in a few months on Saturday, the grind is temporarily over as I fine tune and refocus to see if I am still a pole vaulter and not just a workout/gym rat.  I feel like I will be fine but it's too late in the game for physical mistakes.  I can't afford to get hurt so I will go very easy through this meet and the River Vault the next weekend.  As I said, four weeks from tomorrow is the National Senior Games so I need to be ready for that.  Doesn't matter what I do at these two meets other than get my bearings of vaulting in a meet again.

Great workout in the gym as my cardio dropped to eight minutes from 12 and all of my lifts went to 8,4 but much heavier.  The other focus this week will be stretching.  MUST STRETCH every day!!  Normally easy but I will be out of town on Wednesday and Thursday.  I WILL STRETCH THOSE DAYS!!  I MUST!!

The song that jumped out at me during training today was a song about being faced with very tough situations and how it would be handled.  Do you have the guts to get through the toughest times?  From the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "The Impression That I Get"  Have a great Sunday and thanks for being here with me.  Bubba

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIGMUAMevH0

Good Running/Sled/Big Pole Drill Day

Yep, it's hammer time - hardcore and high quality while watching my ding/injury boundaries.  In fact I noticed I felt really fast and then saw my sled only had 5 lbs (2.2 kg) on it instead of 10.  The last four reps I went with 15 and even that felt good.  Timing on all of the pole drills felt better than usual as far as focus and my ability to inflect certain timings when I wanted them.

SO, a week from today is my first meet since indoor nationals in Albuquerque where I strained my hammy after clearing 13' on the first attempt.  I feel very strong and fit and 100% healthy.  NOW - just stay that way.

My song pick from training today is Van Halen's, "Man on a Mission".  I am!  I'll use MC Hammer's "Hammer Time" another time since it did not come up on my play list today.  Have a great day and thank you for your support!  Bubba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBvxdqRL3NM&feature=fvst

Pansy RIP

Pets are part of the family and today we lost a very special little dog, our miniature schnauzer, Pansy.  She was such a loving a sweet dog and is already missed.

Today was my first of the heavier and shorter lifting sessions and I feel considerably stronger than I did when I came through this phase last time.  Pleased but careful is my feeling and approach.

Tomorrow will be a big pole/sled/drill day so I'm really looking forward to that.  I'll run again on Tuesday and then that's it before next Saturday's meet.

A month from today and four weeks from Monday I will be jumping at the National Senior Games here in Houston.  Three weeks and two days later I will be in Sacramento for the World Masters Championships.,  I may or may not go to Cleveland for Nationals at the end of the month.  Nancy is from there and her mom is buried there so if I'm healthy I'll probably jump.

Today my music is Hoobastank's "Just One" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk39eVt3Q8E  I had heard the song before but got it on my MP3 when I heard the University of Texas kicker had that as his theme song - "Just one time let me have the chance to win the game".  And he did - often.  I could relate because as a vaulter you want that one shot in the big meet to make it happen.  Seemed appropriate for today and the coming weeks.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Bubba

Salute to Dean

My longtime buddy and most intense training partner I ever had, Dean "The Machine" Gregory turned me on to Black Country Communion.  Talk about hardcore old school rockers with royal backgrounds, these guys are the real thing.  Like many of you, Dean reads this blog every day. Besides being a great friend for over 30 years, he keeps me up on great new music.  Today during my gym lift I heard FOUR BCC songs and that is the reason I today salute Dean.  Thanks Buddy and I'm looking forward to seeing you at the World Championships in Sacramento!  Yep, Dean and his wife Deb are driving from Washington State to hang out and watch me jump.  Bubba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXse2p2usck

It's a Long Way to the Top

I'm on week #51 of this plan so it has been a long road thus far.  It's coming near sunset of this season so nothing matters but how I close it out.

Been swamped with work and driving so it's nice to be back.  In the gym tomorrow.  I was going to run today but it was late and raining so I decided to wait.  Not sure doubling up again would be such a good idea since last Sunday I did cardio, lifted legs and then running 10 X 50m hill sleds.  Everything is very healthy so need need trying to flare anything up.  Thanks for being here!  Bubba

ACDC - Long Way to the Top
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1iR2Wi3u5o

Banana Cravings

I have a banana most days for the potassium/cramp reduction benefits etc., but lately I've been hooked on banana pudding and even bought a banana cream pie.  Don't know what or why this sudden craving but there you go. Then I'm in the garage lifting yesterday as the temps approach 90 and the song "Cruel Summer" by Bananarama from the 80s comes on my MP3.  YEP, could be a cruel summer.  Better stay focused. Have a great day.  Bubba

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGYNvx9lqDQ

Dog Eat Dog World In MY Mind

I try to be a good planner in all things I do. I just completed week 50 of this plan.  I look for my best possible result, worst result, probable result, and least yet still acceptable result.  With all of that information I shoot for the top.  But my mind constantly fights itself trying to find balance of what will make me better and what will hurt me.  As my body changes daily I make small adjustments.  That said today was a really good first day back in the gym and I feel I will come out where I need to when I need to for my first checkmark on 5/28.

Testosterone revisited - I talked once earlier in the year about my low testosterone levels.  Average for my age is 552 ng, yet I was under the 175 ng the machine uses as a minimum threshold.  That was 2008.  I had another test on 4/27 that showed <20 ng.  That's microscopic.  No wonder I am so easily hurt and no wonder I have to work so hard with such perfect balance to make ANY progress.

I've looked into gaining a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), not to gain an advantage but rather to be closer to everyone else I compete with.   Here's the rub - if I got tested without a TUE and my numbers were low, I would still test positive because even though I would be well below the average for a man my age, I would have gotten it from a foreign source.  How stupid is that - "you're hurt all of the time because your body can't protect itself so if you try to get well you will be disqualified." 

The TUE would allow me to get some treatment and still compete.  If they say no then I go like I am.  I read recently where a 41 year old pro golfer received a TUE so maybe there is hope.  The other side of that coin is that it takes weeks to process the TUE application, and then 6-8 weeks for treatment to actually begin to affect your body. As they say in Texas, oil well.  I'll have to continue to be the mad scientist that must over analyze every move in hopes to avoid injury. And as you have seen, I often guess wrong.  Have a great day and thanks for being here!  Bubba

PS - My buddy in Washington sent me an email with only "eat cat to".  That's a reference to ACDC's "Dog Eat Dog". Thanks for the reminder Deano - for you and me - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtwlTyqvd0g

Off Day

I'm being a little facetious here in that I'm really swamped with work stuff but this is a rare day off from training.  My plan was to jump today but I did it yesterday so today I'll chill and get back to the gym tomorrow.  The truth is you never know how you will feel after a jump day for maybe 2-3 days later.  It's like you put your hand under hot water and then pull it back. It doesn't burn right away but you know it's coming in a big wave.  Same with your body.  Just because it doesn't explode at the time of the activity doesn't mean you're safe. I call this the "aftershock" and here is the Van Halen song, Aftershock" that reminds me of it.  This was the last song I listened to before walking out to the field at the 1997 World Championships in South Africa.  Pulled a hamstring on my 1st jump clearance at 4m (13' 1 1/2") but held on for the bronze.  Have a great day!  Bubba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkFqLQWy5fA

Felt Like Dog Crap!!

Yep - I went ahead and tried to vaut again today on one day less rest, and right after lunch when it was hot, and I was so full of iced tea I felt like a water balloon?  WHY? I know from experience that at my age that vaulting three days out of six I will not feel good.  In fact, I decided that waiting a day wouldn't make enough difference to matter so I went ahead to try and jump today.  Not only did I try to jump, I tried to do so on my big meet poles - 4.45m/14' 7" poles.  Dumb?  Could have been.  Got lucky!

From my two step take off I felt crippled but my grip got up pretty high and my first step was back almost a foot.  Huh?  Except for the feeling like crap part, I was able to move the pole and even get a decent bend from my six step run. That mark was also back a foot which is another good sign, a result of the hard training I've done.  From eight steps I was able to grip my meet grip that I usually use from 10 steps so that was also a nice surprise.  All of this good news is filtered by the fact that I cannot remember a time that my legs have felt this dead and I still tried to jump.  SO, I got on the big poles, with no injuries, feeling like a slow dead fat ass slug.  Again, WHY?

I'm out of town on Tuesday/Wednesday next week and Tuesday is my running day.  So ideally I would like to do my running on Monday but I don't think that would be smart if I waited until Saturday to vault.  So since I would feel bad anyway I might as well go today so that I can run Monday.

On the surface it sounds like a bad day but I'm really encouraged because my run was back and I was moving my meet poles even though I felt like I had been hit by a truck.  Add to that, I escaped injury, whereas a day like today is a ripe opportunity to get hurt. 

NOW - if you're only running six or eight steps and your run is back over 1' (30cm) then I AM faster.  That simple.  I'm a foot back and felt like crap so that's even better.  I also intentionally wanted to jump heavy so I would have to do things better.  Long story short, too late, I'll be ready for my meets on 5/28 and 6/4 and will not jump until then.  Back to the gym, run, and bars grind with the confidence that I AM at the next physical level.  Have a great day and thanks for your support.  Bubba

On the Road Again

Back home and getting ready to stretch.  I'll regret it if I don't but it's the last thing I want to do right now - hence here I go. Have a great day!  Bubba

Trending Upward

Last year's NCAA Champion Jordan Scott did this scuplture for a class.  Click to enlarge.

The plan today was to go very easy with my 4m/13' 1" poles.  Sunday was so hard and this is a short rest rotation so I didn't want to flare something up that is almost well.  As expected I felt a little like crap.  I started on the 14.7 which is usually a pretty easy jump to make 12' (3.66m) from my six step run of 33' (10m).  It was too small.  I moved up to the 14.3 which can sometimes be a bit of a struggle and it was too small.  I finally moved to my biggest 13' 1" pole, the 13.5 and made 12' quite easily though at 12' 6" (3.81m) it also was too small.  No pains or problems.  I'm surprised but should I be?

On the way back to the hotel on the bus from Reno I decided that I needed to crank my butt off on my running, lifting and bars so that the poles I just struggled to get moving will feel comfortable or even small.  THAT was my mission.  Today my once dependable bigger 13' 1" poles were almost useless because they are too small.  If this trnasfers like I hope, when I jump on my cut 14' 7"s (4.45ms) on Saturday, the first one should be too small.  If it is then I'm on my way to accomplishing the mission I set in Reno.

My plan was to jump on my 14' 1" (4.30m) poles Saturday but Kris agrees with me; why bother?  I'm healthy and ready and will have between Tuesday and Saturday to stretch and feel rested. Needless to say I'm very excited about this progress but Saturday will tell me where I really am.  Thanks for being here!  Bubba

MUSICA

Here's a great song for today that I always play before meets by Oingo Boingo called "Dead Man's Party"  That's my humorous view any gathering of fossils like us to compete.  The lead singer, who looks somewhat like Carrot Top, is Danny Elfman who has become fabulously famous and wealthy doing music scores for tons of movies.  He is also the brother in law of actress Jenna Elfman.  The video includes many scenes from Rodney Dangerfiled in "Old School". Enjoy!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iypUpv9xelg

Shoot to Thrill

Click to enlarge

Great news - one of my very favorite meets, the one put on by my coach Kris Allison, The San Marcos River Vault will be held on Saturday, June 4, so I can go!!  AWESOME!!  This will be the week after the meet at Coppell and 16 days before the National Senior Games.  VERY much looking forward to it.

No training today but a long stretch again as I will try and vault again tomorrow morning.  As mentioned this is my jump only week so I need two more quality sessions and then it's back to hardcore training.  Hardcore training for ME requires hardcore music.  The first thing on my MP3 this morning woke my butt up in a hurry - ACDC's Shoot to Thrill from the Ironman 2 Trailer.  Hope it does the same for you.  Bubba

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kD8sxIjVuc

Long Stretch Day

No lift today as I want to be fresh to jump on Tuesday.  Instead I'll have a long easy stretch day in the garage and listen to some music.  Tuesday I'll start on the 4m/13'1"/180.2/14.7 and progress from there with the plan to get over 12' (3.66m) from 6 steps.  I'm optimistic about this plan. 

It's quite normal for me to occasionally drop all other training in an effort to put three quality vault sessions together in a single week. This gives me the confidence in my technique so that I can go back to other training grinds. That said I'm a little shocked at how much control I had over my technique yesterday with no vaulting in two months.  Lots of plant drills and bar work.

One of my favorite old time songs is up first for my stretching this morning - Ten Years After, "I'd Love to Change the World".  Have a great day and thanks for joining me on this journey!  Bubba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzrUqAtUcpU

From Half Assed to Assed

OK - I ended this morning's practice feeling like crap. A full effort but a half assed result. Why? I'm pretty much all healed so therefore my lack of running conditioning jumped on my back severely making me stop with two sprint drills (big pole + ankle weights) and 4 X 50 sled/hills left. Granted I was able to run considerably faster and felt much more powerful, but when that energy drain started I turned to mush.

I did all of my big pole drops and did box take offs into a 50 lb REAL plant box on the dirt. You hit that wrong and you're flat on your back. That said, I was somewhat dizzy, nauseous and out of breath. I felt as much like a wimp as I have in months and I went home super discouraged.

I went to lunch and drank about a gallon of iced tea and then made a decision that would prove either stupid or brilliant; I decided to go back out and vault. HUH? Dumbass!!! My reasoning was that I can jump on a tiny pole at two weeks after a hamstring strain and I've had four weeks since this inside leg strain. My goal this morning was only to take off from 2, 4 and 6 steps anyway so what could it hurt. I could either do it or I couldn't.  Besides, I had found a quarter and three "pennies from heaven" right under my feet when I opened the car door at the track.

I could. I blew through a few poles and ended up making 11' (3.35M) jogging in from only 6 steps from 31' (9.7m). Though my legs were dead from this morning's efforts, I felt nothing in the way of pain or injury in any part of my body. My technique was very good considering I haven't vaulted in two months, a result of tons of plant drills and lots of bar work. Thrilled about that. I've turned the corner and I'm ready to go.

I'll do nothing this week but stretch, bars and jump, getting three vault days in seven. Tuesday I will try and get through my 4m/13' 1" poles and Saturday I'll get through my 4.30m/14' 1" poles. That will give me a two week ramp up to my meet on 5/28 in Coppell near Dallas/Fort Worth.

I HATED the "half assed part" of the day but will settle for the "assed" part. Have a great day and thanks for your support. Bubba

PS - So this in my mind is day one to the march up and as Republica says, "Shout it from the rooftops, baby I'm ready to go!!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgffRW1fKDk  I used to play this right before I went on to the filed at big meets.  Now it's ACDC "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)" - a salute to all of us who have trained our asses off to be there - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ0zP3U_iE0&feature=related

Rest Day for This Cat

Lazy day as I want to try and do all of my sprint, pole and plant drills tomorrow.  If that goes well I will do 2 4, and 6 step take offs.  The bottom line is that I need to be totally fresh for this in order to lessen the chance or reinjury.  That said, I need to keep my effort super low and just get through it.  If I do I should be home free providing I do nothing else dumb.  Hopefully I don't find out tomorrow that THIS is a dumb plan.  But for right now I'll just be a lazy cat.  Have a great day!  Bubba

In the Dark

Yep - made a calculated guess that really is just a shot in the dark.  OR, it could fall under me being protected from me.  So today I'm late for the gym because a handyman is at the house.  Then on the way to the gym I have errands and then a phone call with Don about his jumping yesterday.  During this conversation I say that Saturday I am going to do some pole drills, slide box take offs, and maybe even a little 2,4,6 take offs on my real poles. 

About that time I see Nancy walking behind my car on the way into the gym.  She usually comes after I have started my cardio and does some bike of her own.  Right then I decided that I would not do cardio or bars, and that instead of my normal lifting I would do only one set of 6 but at a much heavier weight.  Not only that I would only do half the exercises.  

I'll lift tomorrow as usual but today is the day that drains my legs. The hope is I feel really good and mostly healed by Saturday. Of course I should be since its been four weeks. This type of testing needs to be done totally fresh so I feel instinctively this is the right decision for today.

It's really been bothering me that I will be going to a meet three weeks from Saturday yet I have not left the ground since March 5, in Albuquerque.  This will help me to "engage the pole" again in a low risk manner.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Bubba

Turner Stadium - Site of National Senior Games

Turner Stadium - Humble, Texas

Site of National Senior Games

After it's $17 million renovation

Pole vault runs direct north/south = tailwinds

It will be hot but at least there is seating.

The pit is outside of the stadium but near concessions and bathroom.

On this day, the bar had to be held on in the big tailwind!

Mind vs. Body

I'm in a very odd place right now.  When I went out to run this morning I felt powerful as a bull and as graceful as a gazelle.  The reality is that I am aging, and almost 58 year old athlete trying to get and hold my body together for a couple of very big shows.  It's a constant battle right now to temper this new body with the fact that I am still technically rehabbing the inside of my leg.  I get ready to pick up the pace on one of my 10 X 100m runs and there it is - not a pain but a little tiny tightness that at first whispers, "remember me?"  If I ignore it I will again be reminded to back off as it speaks; "I will STOP you NOW and your healing clock will begin again and you don't have the luxury of that kind of time".  Then it let me run 10 X 50m sleds at 50% feeling nothing.  I don't get it but I listen.

I saw the Matt Lauer interview with Steven Tyler of Aersosmith and his new book is called, "Do the Voices in My Head Bother You?"  So as a tribute to the voices in his head and mine, I offer one of my favorite and most meaningful Aerosmith songs ever, Dream On, which I also just learned on guitar - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Qd9VR1gD8

And as a salute to my infuriating mind vs. body battle, I offer Metallica's Sad But True.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8MO7fkZc5o

All songs I suggest come up on my MP3 during training the day I post them.  Have a great day!  Bubba

HARD Day!!

Not to take anything away from Chad's cat yesterday, but here is my guitar set up.  Been playing six months so I'm still very much a beginner.  I have one in different rooms for different types of practice whether it be online lessons, DVD, or memory.  Fender Strat Squier, Ibanez Prestige and Schecter Hellraiser.  Click to enlarge.

It's to be expected when I come into the short rest rotation of my weekly cycle yet don;t drop the weights but that's how you make progress.  SUCKED but in a good way.  Able to challenge myself and my focus when I wanted to quit or drop the weight.  Still had the patience to take my time in my stretches. These are all small victories.

I listen to a wide variety of music when I lift so I'm going to start posting links to some.  AGAIN, though on shuffle, Robert Palmer's Simply Irresistible came up.  Sorry he died at only 52.  A great talent.  have a great day!  Bubba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrGw_cOgwa8

Rocking Through Another Workout

As you know, I began playing guitar six months ago. Apparently, 2000 Olympian, Chad Harting's cat did too. Rock on!!

Today was another good day in the gym.  My fitness level is rising so the intensity is too.  Certainly it's physically taxing but it is also draining on the mind which is good for mental conditioning.  As I do the stairs or bike I try not to look at the time remaining (12 minutes each) but rather try and focus on each individual step or pedal while allowing myself to be distracted by music or ESPN.  Whatever gets you through.  I'm trying to learn to love the things I hate.  The benfit has already proven worth the effort.

Seven weeks from tomorrow is my day at the National Senior Games.  Plenty of time to get where I need to get.  I don't have time to get hurt and recover but plenty of time if I stay well; and I will. Three weeks and two days later is my day at the World Masters Championships.  Again, stay focused on the little details daily, don't look ahead, and stay patient.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Bubba