More Running - OR ELSE!!!

If you have speed and power on the runway you can vault.  Every time I go to big meets the fastest guys are the best; that simple.  So in my caution with my lingering leg ding, I'm going to just blast the heck out of my running, lifting and bars.  I have 8.5 weeks to Reno.  At four days per week of running and sprint drills over 50m hill / sleds I WILL get faster and stronger on the runway.  I will add big pole plant and take off drills this Saturday on two of the days. 

So here's the plan - Train my butt off until I have a full week of training at 90%+ effort without feeling anything in my leg.  I don't care if that takes 2, 4, 6 weeks before that happens, I won't vault until then.  I just can't keep messing around with this.  If my first day to jump is Reno I'm fine with that.  The only given is that I will go to Reno healthy and on my regular 14' 7" (4.45m) meet poles.

As much as this sucks, it's just another brick in the wall of adding to my training base.  Rule #1 of rehab is to come back a better athlete than when you got hurt.  Eight weeks should be enough to set me up for a great year.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Tom Petty's, "Running Down a Dream" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1D3a5eDJIs  I WILL be running, and dreaming.  Bubba

Oh Well?!

I went out to do my running and planned on jumping but I was too tender in the upper area behind my right leg to risk it.  When I originally felt a twinge it was where it is today. When I went out to jump next it felt inside like a traditional groin injury.  Now the groin part is totally gone but the back of the upper leg is back.  WTF?!  I'll try again to jump on Saturday but if I can't do it safely I'm prepared to not touch a pole until Reno on January 20.  I MUST get this well.  It's such a small thing I can easily jump 12' (3.66m) but certainly not 13'' (3.97m)+.

My running system is going better than ever right now so if I add big pole drills to it I think I can actually be better by Reno without jumping.  Of course that isn't optimum but I MUST be well for Reno and I'm running out of time for further setbacks. 

Now I run 10 X hill/sleds on my vault day - 6 before and 4 after. The next day I do hill / sleds between my sprint drills with ankle weights.  I'm getting four very quality running days in which is why I'm blowing through every pole I touch when I can jump.  I'm heavier by about 4-5 lbs (2 kg) but I'm not fat so I guess that is from the extra lifting.

Long story short, I have a minimal ding that I need to get well.  In the interim I will keep blasting my body as I only have seven weeks until Reno.  I can make a ton of progress in seven weeks but it won't matter if I keep irritating something that should already be well. Until then I will just keep Taking Care of Business - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCIUf8eYPqA   Thanks for your support and have a great day!  Bubba

If You Want ....

The hardest training days to me are those where you get back into the gym after you have backed off for a competition, and you're hit square between the eyes with your two biggest and hardest days.  For me that was yesterday and today.  As much as I HATE that, I LOVE that!  It forces me to re-engage in a process that I know works so well.  It is also what separates the great from the best.  At the highest levels everyone works hard and smart, so it comes down to consistent mental strength and focus. 

Today was one of those days and I thoroughly enjoyed how much it SUCKED!!  I'm a little stronger in body, mind and spirit because of it.  The song that got me through the worst of today's training was appropriately AC/DC's, "If You Want Blood, You've Got It" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UPw4f1oN7g&ob=av2n.  Have a great day!  Bubba

Odds & Ends

I needed to dump the poles this morning so I was in the SUV rather than the car; hence I arrive at the gym with nothing I needed.  No music, no wrist straps, no gloves, belt, no brain.  That said, I knew the fastest measure of whether I got hurt yesterday, or was it another step forward, would be revealed during squats and lunges.  Did those with no big issues as well as a few bar sets.  I'll do some easy sprint drills / sleds this afternoon to loosen up but Tuesday's vault session will tell me if I am in fact "well".  My guess is that I am very close to being 100%.

Poles - I have three bags of poles so I mix and match which ones I think I need for meets and practices.  For this meet I had a tiny, a medium and my biggest 13' 1" (4m) poles in my bag.  I also had 3 X 14' 1" (4.30m) poles of which I used one.  I also had my smallest 14' 7" (4.45m) just in case.  Today I pulled out the 4m poles and added two 14' 7"s for the next meet.  It was 46 degrees this morning and windy so I have four bags opened including Don's and I am adjusting poles for future practices and meets as well as putting other poles back in the bags they belong in.  I HATE the cold, even though most don't consider 46 to be cold.  ;-)

I hope to jump Tuesday / Saturday this week with regular training around that.  I go to LA a week from Monday and then have my last Texas meet that Saturday.  So today's song is Pantera's, "Cowboys From Hell" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i97OkCXwotE&ob=av2e  Another rocking song that keeps me going when my mind and body are trying to make me stop.  Have a great Sunday and thanks for the support!  Bubba

Success? Kind Of!?

Click to enlarge

Warm up at Kris' meet went good.  I decided to start from 4 steps as planned rather than jack my leg awake and that seemed to work.  My pit started at 4' (1.2m?) with about 20 jumpers and I started at 9' 6" (2.90m) from 22' to avoid having to wait for the next group starting higher.  I felt good during warm up but as I sat around my leg it started getting stiff and sore. 

On my run through I felt it and almost stopped.  Jumped 9' 6" and 10' (3.05m) as planned from 4 steps.  Passed 10' 6" (3.20m) and went back to 6 steps (33') for 11' (3.35m).  I felt my leg a little more but decided to try another jump.  It's hard to explain because I felt it but I didn't think I was in imminent danger of dinging it so I cautiously creeped forward hoping for the best.  So far I have made all jumps on my first attempt. 

At 11' 6" (3.51m) I moved to eight steps (43') and up to my biggest 4m pole and made it easy, though feeling my leg a little more.  At a crossroads I decided to move up to my first 14' 1" (4.30m) pole for 12' (3.66m) and roll the dice on my leg.  Though the pole was way too small I made 12' easy and stopped.  For 12' 6" I would have had to go to spikes and up to a bigger pole and I just didn't think it was worth the risk.  The good news is that ALL poles felt tiny today so my training is paying off.

The meet was "Age Graded" so I won with an age adjusted jump of 17' 2".  I truly think I will be able to lift my legs off tomorrow and jump Tuesday in practice.  If I can then I'm well and what I felt today was merely stretching out a muscle that hasn't been used that way in awhile.  Coincidentally, the pole I ended on today was the one I hurt it on several weeks ago.  Hoping for the best but should have an idea in the gym tomorrow.  Thanks for being here and have a great night!  Bubba

Issac Hayes sings about "Two Cool Guys", Beavis and Butthead -   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioKnSXTI2Yk

Tomorrow's defiance of failure song for workout is White Zombie, "More Human Than Human" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0E0ynyIUsg&ob=av2e

Ho Hum

Nice easy stretch day.  The gym was a zoo again which is fine for what little I had planned.  I feel OK but nothing great. I'll shake my legs out a little later at the track when I go to load the poles.

Tomorrow I will pick up Don around 6 AM and head the 3:15 drive to Kris.  Don't have my total game plan in place but I'm thinking it over.  I MAY take a tiny pole and a couple of mi 4m poles so I don't have to start on the 14' 1" (4.30m) poles after sitting around.  I could do a jump at 10' (3.05) from 4 steps on the 4m/16.3, move to 6 steps and the 14.7 for 11' (3.35m), back to 8 for 11' 6" (3.51m) on my first 4.30m and so on.  That sounds like a fun plan.  Low stress and let's me warm up in the meet. Have a great day!  Bubba

Metallica - No Remorse - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPA2rEsIgSU  My guitar lesson for the day.

Happy Thanksgiving + False Start

Got to the grocery store for a few final items at 6:45 AM and then to the gym near 8 AM.  The gym was a ZOO!!  Good thing I did today's lift yesterday because today was a total "False Start".  I did my stretching and bars but will do tomorrow's lift tomorrow.

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving.  Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting my mission.  Bubba

I noticed a hurricane off the coast of Baja California. When that happens big bodysurfing waves come to the Wedge in Newport Beach.  Neat videos!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwuJIxNbXVw

Pre-Turkey Day

Had my normal 1 X 10 lift today that I do the last rotation before a meet.  Actually it's not normal because I did Thursday's lift on Wednesday to get an extra day of rest.  I'll do Friday's tomorrow morning.  Today I didn't do the leg lifts as I need to freshen up a bit.  Decent stretch though and tomorrow I will stretch even more.  Somewhat beat up but not run down.

I entered Kris' meet and I'm hoping my body will let me step up a half level to get to 8 steps and the 14' 1" (4.30m) poles.  I'll start on a couple of big 13' 1"s (4m) in warm up so I don't jack myself right at the start.  Four days off of my legs should make a world of difference on my ability to feel sharp as well as heal the final part of the groin ding.  That will be five weeks so that should be sufficient.  I'm really not worried about it.

This meet is called "Age is Just a Number" which means that it is "age graded" or "handicapped" by age.  The formulas are very complicated but basically they take the world and Olympic records and calculate your present performance at your present age and equate it to what you would have jumped in your prime.  For example, if I jumped 4.10m (13' 5 1/4") at 58 like I did last year in Reno, the age graded mark is 5.86m or 19' 3".  Considering that my lifetime best is 18' 1" (5.51m) I'm presently beating age.  That said, if I jumped that Saturday, a young kid would have to jump 19' 4" to beat me.  Last year I won at 12' 6" (3.81m) which was 17' 7" (5.36m).  Different but fun.  Here is a link to a good calculator - http://www.howardgrubb.co.uk/athletics/wmalookup06.html

Have a great evening and thanks for being here!!  Bubba

Here Comes the Sun- Tuesday Post #2

FINALLY the sun peeked out and the breeze got a little cooler producing a nice baby tailwind.  After my business call I went out to meet Don for a mini vault session.  I knew I would feel like dog crap because I have been training so hard but I needed to know if my groin was actually getting better.  The goal was to hope to get at least where I got on Saturday before I stopped with a little pain.

WELL, I actually did get a little further and jumped 12' (3.66m) on two poles from 33' (10m) or 6 steps.  I DID feel like TOTAL crap but I jogged down and jumped easily on one pole bigger than Saturday.  The good news is that I stopped because I was tired and not because I was hurt.  SO, "Here Comes the Sun" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6tV11acSRk for me to be able to get back on track with vault sessions.

I will go to Kris' Sunday, start on a big 4m pole from 8 steps at 11' 6" (3.51m) and then move on to my 14' 1" (4.30m) poles.  Should be fun.  Of course I will be cautious but at least I'm getting to jump.  Have a great evening.  Bubba

Rain!!

It has been raining off and on HARD since about 2 AM so I'm waiting to see about vaulting.  Just after I downloaded the photo above and got a link to the famous, "Singing in the Rain" video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ZYhVpdXbQ the sun came out - and then promptly went away.

Ideally I want to go out and try to jump after my 1 PM business call.  I don't care that it's wet or that the box is full of water, I just don't want it raining.  If I get out I will post a "Late add" here.  If not, this is it for the day so thanks for watching.  Bubba

Another Muggy Monday

It's November 21, and 84 degrees today.  I would much rather have heat than cold, but "C'MON MAN!!" 

Another good hard day in the gym.  I'll be interested to see how I feel at practice tomorrow.  Can I vault?  No idea.  I hope I can do what I did Saturday or maybe even a little more.  If I can then I'm just about well.  If not ... then I will back off trying to jump and keep blasting away at the training.

Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Bubba

Sunday - Post #2

I went and did my hill / sled / sprint drills late this afternoon after a very hard lift this morning.  I start with a 50m hill / sled and then alternated for seven different sprint drills for 16 total reps.  I only felt my groin at all on one of them and that was pretty slight.  I think it's more sore from that inside leg stretch you get when you first do squats again.  In any case, I'll try to jump again Tuesday and if I can progress or even duplicate what IO was able to do yesterday I think I will go to Kris' meet on Saturday.  Have a great evening!  Bubba

The Jury is Out on My Leg

Can't tell from this morning's lifting if I flared my groin yesterday or not, but I should know pretty quickly when I go to do my running / hill / sleds / sprint drills this afternoon.

Lifting went good. I've found that I need to substitute types of squats and lunges depending on what equipment or racks are available. I got in early this morning to use the Smith machine and some meathead was loitering there. You know the type - yells with every lift, big weights for a 3" range of motion, constantly drinking energy drinks and takes five minutes between lifts. Totally useless type of training. Fortunately there are very few of these at our gym. Mostly nice and normal people. The point is there better be a Plan B when these idiots are camping on equipment.

Felt really good and strong again. I feel like I’m gaining some momentum finally. Got nine weeks to Reno so it’s important to keep grinding away while minimizing the risk of injury. Starting to feel optimistic that I will be ready.

Got a Facebook message from my friend, Paul Snyder in Maine, asking if I want to do a pole vault clinic with him this summer. Paul is a great guy and does a lot for the kids in his area. I love going to Maine too so I’ll see what I can do.
Have a great Sunday and thanks for being here. Bubba

Much Better But Not Quite Well

I went out to vault this morning and on my very first two step take off I knew I was going to have to watch myself.  Nothing grabbed or twinged but I felt like I was working against something that was still healing.  At four steps I almost stopped after my first take off but tried again.  Made 10' (3.05m), 10' 6" (3.20m) and 11' (3.35m) all on first jumps from 22' (6.4m).  Took a big risk and moved to six steps - 33' (10m) and made 12' (3.66m) on the first jump and stopped.  I don't think I hurt it again but if not, I got it right to the edge of its weakness.  I will find out when I lift and run sleds again tomorrow but I "think" I'm OK.

So I'm pleased unless the last jump turns out to be a ding again.  I really doubt it but I will remain cautious.  I will not jump at Kris' meet next Saturday for that reason - finally making progress so don't risk it.

Physically I'm in a good place and the type and amount of bars I have been doing has really cleaned up my swing to vertical.  I'm very pleased with everything for where I am right now; as long as I still feel healthy tomorrow.  If not, then I am, AGAIN, the ultimate DUMBASS!!  Have a great day!  Bubba

Thank You

If you don't have dreams then you have nothing to come true!!

After a month I'm settled into my final hard training complete workout plan and I LOVE it.  Since I gave away my garage gym to Don I have switched up a lot of things and I'm really pleased that I am settled in for a long grind.  As much as I bitch about my schedule and sporadic travel, when I get to California that will settle down and my training will feel like a welcome home present.

I hate missing days where I post here but sometimes on the road I have bad connections or just flat and no time or energy.  I'll try and do better as I go.  But to you all, thank you so much for being here for me.  It's a great refuge and comfort to know that you are here.  I love going to meets and seeing friends and meeting new ones who tell me they read this blog.  Couldn't tell it by the 18 followers but I feel you in spirit.  At least once a meet, and once a month by email someone tells me that this blog was their motivation to start vaulting again.  That brings me great joy and makes me want to be better for you.  So thank you!!

A special tribute to you - Joe Cocker in his famous Woodstock performance - "A Little Help From My Friends" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBR0T3f7tUw  Bubba

Good Strong Day at the Gym

Feels good to be engaged in squats, lunges and cleans again.  It hass been a long time since they flared that hip back issue.  I'll remain careful but it's nice to be back to real lifts.  I felt good but I could see I needed that inside groin stretch.  If jumping goes good on any level Saturday I'll be ready for Kris' meet.  If not I will skip it and train through. Two months from Friday is Reno.  Gotta keep grinding.  Have a great day and thanks for following this blog!  Bubba

Hill / Sleds = Megadeth

Hill / Sleds? - Not Quite the Same as I Do!

I had great training on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then went on the road.  I did better on the eating front but when I went out to run sleds today I felt flat with no range of motion.  I guess that is not so surprising but at least I don't feel hurt.  Back to the gym tomorrow - can't wait.

Saturday I'll jump from six steps like nothing ever happened and I expect it to be fine.  There will be a meet at Kris' on the following Saturday and as of now I plan to jump there from eight steps for fun if nothing else.

I'm starting to feel optimistic that I am catching up with my run stuff.  I think I was skipping some of the stretching because I was running out of time in the gym.  Now I will just go earlier.

Today I got through hill / sleds into a big headwind with Megadeth's, "Skin of my Teeth" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psotUUPGG_E&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL30CB804230D073E7

Have a great day and thanks for your support!  Bubba

HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got back in town about 30 minutes ago.  SO sick of this travel but that ends for the most part when I get to California.  My body feels good and bounced back well from the very hard Saturday and Sunday.  Of curse I still have my local travel tomorrow but can't wait to hit the gym again Thursday.  Have a great night!!  Bubba

Smacked It Good - Got Over 20 million lbs. Lifted!!

My plan to cautiously attack and smack my weaknesses went better than expected.  Though I was fatigued from yesterday, my groin was a non-factor.  I even forced it by doing deep squats and lunges.  The issue I felt was a lower ab / internal muscles that snap to alert when you haven't sprinted or had quick turnover in awhile.  I felt it some today but easily worked through it.  Possibly it could also be caused by over doing my lower abs on bars.  I have been doing the same exercises four days a week so I think I will split them up to avoid becoming a problem.  I got over 20  illion lbs. lifted since I started on 1/1/2005.  "If it is worth doing it is worth recording" - Sergey Bubka.

Lifting today I went right in and did squats and lunges to assess the groin issue. Felt nothing except that little soreness in the lower abs which goes away in a few days after your first sprinting. I also lifted half of tomorrow's lift since I will be traveling.  Today rather than do sprint drills with ankle weights in between my 50m hill/sleds I just ran 10 X 50m hill/sleds with a walk back.  I'm out of shape and breath.  Good to know.  I'll ONLY do the 10 X 50m hills / sleds every other day until I get into shape.

Today is the meet outside of Austin that I skipped.  Gary went and I'm sure the conditions will be good again.  Right now I'm pretty sure that next Saturday I will be able to have a regular vault day and be able to go to the meets on 11/26 and 12/10.  When I woke up this morning I was pretty sure I would miss both of these meets.  So what has changed?  NOTHING! I will keep going directly after my weaknesses and not allow myself to pamper and rest my way out of shape.  Have a great Sunday and thanks for being here!  Bubba

PS - Our training for progress without injury IS a tightrope.  Tribute to SRV - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNuXO60G33w

I'm Baaaaack!! Sort Of!

I got a new Android phone yesterday which required a Google account which became my "default" without my choice and therefore I could not get in to post on my own blog yesterday.  Sounds like a bad country song.  Today I was told how to get around this so I'm back!

This morning I was PISSED!!  I did my running and felt pretty good but still had a little weakness and deficit in my groin.  I'm out of town Monday/Tuesday so I figured if I don't jump until next Saturday then that will be four total weeks since Texas vs. Louisiana when I flared my groin again.  Makes perfect sense, right?  Yep!  NO!!

After all of my running and drills, I grabbed a tiny pole and took a few little jumps with no issue.  Grabbed a little bigger one, the one I normally start on, and it was OK but a little stiff because I wasn't trying to run hard.  Moved back to six steps did one take off and felt my groin AGAIN!!  I don't know if I'm hurt again or not but I'm pissed that this could happen after three weeks of great rehab.  The truth is I won't know until I go out next Saturday and try again.  If it is hurt I will know right away.  If it's not, I will be careful and know I have dodged a bullet.

All of my "groin self tests" for pain show negative but I'm still hurting when I make certain moves.  So what do I do now.  I BEAT THE HELL OUT OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I friend once told me that if it's important you do it every day and if you have a weak spot you go after it every day.  I will go run 10 X 50m hill/sleds tomorrow.  If I can only make 1% effort then next time I will hope for 2%, but NO MORE DAMN REST!!!!!!!!!!!  There is nothing more worthless or frustrating when you are hurt than rest.  Work that thing until it's better, no matter what the level needs to be.  I will also run Wednesday when I get back, Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday until I am SO SICK of it, and then I will continue to do it.  I WILL get better AND be stronger when I return.  I don't care if I don't vault until Reno, I will be in tip top shape and ready to jump high.  I'm finished coddling my lazy ass!!

Speaking of Reno, I've been waiting to get my plane ticket because I didn't know if I was flying out of Houston or Southern California.  The problem was either place was like $328 or $342 so I kept watching.  I know that rates have been lower on Thursdays so I decided to take a look out of Orange County/John Wayne airport (as close to my new house as IAH) - $118 and I snatched that mutha up in a second. 

Momentum is changing.  I've been knocked down and now I getting back up and I'm pissed at my weak ass self.  This torture will be a defiant blast.  Have a great night and thanks for being here.  Bubba

A Very Important Message Liz Davies

I was approached a few weeks ago by a lady who asked if she could be a guest poster to this blog about the benfits of exercise for cancer.  It took me less than 2 seconds to say yes.  I'm not a hater but I HATE cancer.  It is so prevalent and discriminates against no one.  So thank you Liz for your contribution!!  Also check it our under my profile on Facebook - Bubba Sparks
------------------

Benefits of Exercise for Cancer Patients
There are many ways that cancer and its treatment are debilitating. However, scientists are increasingly finding that one simple thing can improve the quality of life for cancer patients: exercise. Doctors are prescribing exercise to their cancer patients, even during the course of treatment. The following is a guide to all the benefits that exercise has to offer cancer patients.

Improved Energy:
Many of the treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiation, have a tendency to leave patients feeling lethargic, even exhausted. The disease itself can have the same effect. Scientists have found that frequent exercise leads to the same energy boosting benefits in cancer sufferers that it does in healthy individuals. The guidelines suggest that 150 minutes of activity a week improves the energy level of patients in all phases of their treatment process.

Better Body Image and Body Composition:
Cancer and its treatments can have horrible effects on a person’s body. Some people will gain weight and some people can waste away. Chemotherapy leads to hair loss. These effects can leave people feeling horrible about the way they look. All of these people can benefit from the body strengthening effects of exercise. This is especially important for people with wasting cancers, such as gastrointestinal cancer, that have a detrimental impact on lean muscle mass. Strength training exercises will benefit most cancer patients, shaping their body into something they will feel good about.

Emotional Relief:
The stress, both physical and emotional, of cancer and its treatment is a major reason that cancer patients have high levels of depression. One of the best ways to fight both stress and depression is through physical activity. Cancer patients who regularly participate in an exercise program are much more likely to avoid the major depression that often occurs in cancer victims. There are also many support groups for most types of cancer, including mesothelioma support groups.

Prevention of Reoccurrence:
As well as the benefits it offers during the course of cancer treatment, exercise has also been proven to reduce the chances of reoccurrence of cancer in the future. The benefits are found not only when individuals are done with treatment. Exercise during the course of treatment has been shown to lessen the odds that the cancer will come back.

Recommendations for Exercise:
The American Cancer Society recommends that cancer patients should engage in 150 minutes of physical activity a week. This should be a good balance of both strength training and aerobic activity. Swimming, walking and hiking are all great activities for patients to try. The American Cancer Society offers a certification for physical trainers that want to work with cancer patients. Patients can contact them to find a personal trainer in their area who will know exactly how to tailor a workout regime to a cancer patient’s needs.

Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She became particularly interested in ways cancer patients can cope with the side-effects of their treatment after her mother became an oncology nurse for lung cancer.

Helful Links
Chemotherapy http://www.chemocare.com/

high levels of depression http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/EmotionalSideEffects/CopingwithCancerinEverydayLife/index
mesothelioma support groups http://www.mesotheliomasymptoms.com/support-groups
The American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/

Nothing to Report

Working and eating too much.  Oh well.  Will resume hard training on Tuesday.  Thanks for the support!  Bubba

Different Type of Workout

I seem to always leave on business on Monday and that lift cycle is Sunday/Monday so I'm constantly missing 1/2 of my lift rotation.  Today I decided to do 1/2 of Sunday's training and 1/2 of Monday's today.  I was able to lift heavy since there were less sets, so I think this is my future direction for shortened training due to travel.  I'm excited to try and get out and jump a little next Saturday.  Have a great day!  Bubba

Day of Caution

I went out to run this morning and was met by my lifelong friend and training partner, Don Curry.  Don was going to do some low level jumping for the first time since being sidelined with a foot issue that is now well.  After my sleds and sprint drills I was feeling pretty good and came really close to picking up a pole and taking a few easy jumps myself.  The problem is that I know that even though I probably would not get hurt it was still not a good idea.  I need to be able to jump with rhythm and without a lot of caution.  Ironically, being cautious today will keep me from having to do so as much next Saturday when I start vaulting again.

Even though my groin felt even better than Tuesday, my body overall was a little beaten down as it always is before I go out of town.  I try to ramp up slowly to the point that I don't think my body could tolerate one more training day and THEN leave a few days. 

I'm feeling really good about where I am right now but I have to remain smart and dsiciplined.  Tomorrow will be the easiest day to skip. I have breakfast with my dad at 7:45, hit the gym around 9 and then have a business call at 11.  If I'm 15 minutes late I can talk myself out of training but since I will miss Monday - Wednesday anyway I really MUST make tomorrow count.  Of course I will report back my success or miserable wuss out failure tomorrow.  Enjoy your Saturday and thanks for being here.  Bubba

Today's kick my ass in gear when I wanted to quit song was, "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Metallica - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17HRV8k1YMw&feature=related

New Favorable Meet Schedule

My coach, Kris Allison sent out not only his schedule, but added the other meets he knew about.  His first indoor meet was on 12/3 but now there will one on 11/26 and 12/10!!  These are perfect for me and where I am on my groin rehab, travel and moving.  The meet in Austin on 11/13 was too early but the 26th will be perfect.  Then his next one is now on 12/10 and I leave to move on 12/14.  OUTSTANDING!!

Tomorrow I will get another hard running/sled/sprint drills session in but will make no attempt to jump.  It will be two weeks since I got my little flare at the Texas vs. Louisiana meet.  I feel like I could jump but I'm going to be out of town Monday through Wednesday anyway so why not just train and then rest it and go low level the following Saturday.  I think at that point I should be near 100%.

On one hand I can't wait to get settled in California but on the other I want to get the most out of this training grind while I am here as well.  Hopefully I jump from eight steps at the 11/26 meet on my 14' 1" (4.30m) poles and then from 10 steps on 12/10 on my normal meet poles, the 14' 7"s (4.45m).  Four weeks after I arrive in California is Reno so I had better be beating the heck out of myself now or I will be behind.  As you know, you will hear about it here first.  Thanks for your support!  Bubba

Moving On

YEP - Many times it feels like this ...

My body is turning the corner so the gym now becomes a challenge rather than merely surviving.  I pick my strategic spots to step up and I can feel the momentum building.  That showing up every day thing really works.  I remember my first strength test when I started back in 2005 I was a quivering mess as I bench pressed 95 lb. (44 kg).  Depending on the day I can do 2-4 X 225 lbs. (102 kg).  I noticed on my spreadsheet this morning that I am at 19,915,997 lbs. lifted since January 1, 2005.  AMAZING that sometime next week or the next I will cross over 20 million pounds lifted.

I keep showing up and don't take an off season because it is too dang hard to start over AND make up what I lost.  It's easier to just drop the weights way down and do the work and let the spirit move you when it's time to raise the weights.  I also need it daily for my stress management.  Whatever gets you out there, get out there.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Bubba

Travel Day - Plans Unfolding

LATE ADD - Stormbringer by Deep Purple.  This was our hardcore workout song where we would say, "Bring on the storm"! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C2K889u_90

My body feels pretty decent.  My groin thing is a lot better but probably still too soon to mess with it.  It's not really a groin in the traditional sense as it is more underneath but that is the general area.  I go to LA next Monday - Wednesday so if I wait until the following Saturday to vault.  That will be three full weeks of rest from jumping. That will give me about three weeks of jumping before Kris' meet on 12/3 and six weeks total rehab.  Good enough.
My plans are working out good for California.  I've made contact with the local high school coach through a friend and he was very nice and inviting.  Yes I can have access to their track, bleachers and vault areas.  He will get me a key to the stadium when I get to town.  I'll be vaulting with two time Olympian and long time friend, Simon Arkell and he too has offered me a key. I typically train alone so I can take my time and jump when I'm ready instead of waiting for a long line of kids.  I'm sure there will be a great blend of that in both places.  Maybe I'm on the runway 30 minutes before the kids show up.  By the time they are on the runaway I'm done.

We're leaving on the drive around lunch on 12/14 and will arrive on the afternoon of 12/16, and move in the morning of 12/17.  I will only miss one rotation of training.  AMAZING! 

Have a great day and thanks for your support!  Bubba

Could I Really Be an Athlete Again?

During today's running I felt like I might actually be becoming an athlete again.  I felt pretty fast, strong, etc.  I try to just crank away as hard as I can for as long as I can so that when I have to go away for a few days on business that I NEED a break.  Next Monday when I go to California, I will NEED a break.  But for today, I feel like I might be an athlete again.

Don't confuse "athlete" with pole vaulter.  I assure you it will take at least another month before I start to feel like a pole vaulter.  I'm hoping to get a decent mark on 12/3 and then come into Reno on 1/20 strong.  Until then I'll just keep cranking along.  In honor of my latest trend in my workouts, here is Deep Purple's "Burn" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfzv3bf9-OY  Enjoy and have a great day!  Bubba