Mad Men Across the Water

Commonwealth Games silver medalist, and about to be visiting, Steve Lewis (left), along with World and Olympic Champion Steve Hooker (center). Please click to enlarge.

Back to my bleacher ramps today and I felt really good with no pain.  YEAH!!  I have four more sessions like that, maybe five before the meet on the 15th.  WAY too many things up in the air between now and then.  Possible double business travel, and a bunch of logistics of the sale of our house in Texas are nearly done.  That said, I'm home until at least a week from Monday so I can continue to kick butt on training.  More than likely I'm off to Denver, the city I love more each time I go.

In other news, I got a message from former University of Texas coaching guru, Dan Pfaff, who was smartly recruited by Great Britain a few years ago to get their team ready to impress at the 2012 London Olympics.  He and a large contingent of their Olympic Team are returning to train in Southern California as they have for years. 

Among them, vaulter Steve Lewis, pictured above.  I communicating through my friend Simon Arkell and Dan directly to set up some time to have some of the team over for a beach day type BBQ since they are staying only a town or two over.  Very much looking forward to catching up and sharing their growing excitement as the Olympic Games near.  Of course I will share photos and stories here.  Have a great evening and thanks for being here.  Bubba

Salute to the original madman Across the Water, Elton John - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaOw7TETIqI

Hot Hand!!

I've had a good stretch of regular training, seven consecutive days, and it feels great.  Off to Northern California for the day tomorrow but back to training Friday.  I don't think I have to go anywhere until maybe the 10th so I will run together as many consecutive days until that time. 

I have a meet on Sunday, 4/15.  Right now I'm not sure how I will try to jump there as far as poles and runs.  I just know I don't want to get hurt before the Texas alumni meet.  Maybe on the 15th I run from 6 and 8 steps on my 14' 1" poles.  That would be a first since I have never attempted a bar on either from those runs.  BUT, if I'm healthy, strong, fast and technically sound, that could work well.  I learned at the last meet they are too small from the next run so this idea would be a good test mentally and technically.

MUCH stronger on my lifting and my running felt good and powerful with no pain in my leg.  These are all good things.  Have a great day and I will check back with you Friday!  Bubba

"Fuel" by Metallica - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDBLhdSy5t4

Working For A Living

I always say the hardest part about training is getting past that, "working for a living" thing.  It dominates your time, energy, focus, etc.  That's life and we all face that.  I feel like I'm slowly starting to win that battle back over in that I'm letting it go during my workouts and trying to get the most again out of each component.

Though I could survive or maintain on one good 4-5 day rotation a week I won't get better doing that.  I fully expect I will move in and out of this type of rotation as I settle and get re-established in Southern California and work, but come this summer, the grind begins for next year's worlds.  I will HAVE to have my system down by then and I'm starting to feel I will.

This morning I had a call at 6:30 that went until 8.  No breakfast, hadn't dug through my email, etc., so by the time I got off I felt way behind. I just let that stress go and methodically went through my normal routines and then headed out to the garage.  I knew that today is supposed to be a double lift, garage and then gym, since I missed the garage yesterday.  Somehow I just cruised on through and let the stress go and got them both done and felt great about it.  I guess my attitude toward being behind cannot stop me from making myself skip or short change training.

The GREAT news was that I did my regular lunges with my regular weights and did not feel the ding behind the top of my right leg.  Great day and a little more momentum gained.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Bubba

Huey Lewis and The News - "Working For A Living" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N2CANatVYQ

Are You STUPID?

That was exactly what I was asking myself as I defiantly left for the track today.  Long story short, I am stressed for time and stressed with responsibilities that I am juggling.  Who isn't, but many of these are big deals that need attention to detail and may very well change my life in ways I'm not sure I will know how to juggle.  That's OK.  Good problem or very deflating if a few of them don't happen.

So today I missed my window to lift so I said screw it, I'm going to take my 1465 out and do my warm up and see if I can get a few jumps in without blowing up my right leg, which felt a little dinged last time.  Remember my whole "Caution - the red light always follows the yellow light"?  SCREW IT!  I'm going out there and if it blows up I'll deal with it then.  Of course in my mind I'm saying that I will stop at the first hint of a flare, but I went out when I shouldn't have.

The very first thing I learned was that the bleachers I was so excited about are not for me.  It not only made my right Achilles sore (the healthy one), but my run rhythm SUCKED and my legs felt dead.  Something about those stadium ramps that make me feel great, so no more bleachers.  Good lesson.

If you read what I just wrote then you know that trying to jump on a 14' 1 (4.30m) pole from six steps or 33' (10m), while feeling dead legged is NOT a smart move.  In fact I was so far out on my first two step take off that I kicked the back of my left knee and thought I would pull a hamstring.  Slowly my body warmed up but never felt good.  I was able to get two decent take offs from 33' gripping about 12' 6" (3.81m) but I didn't feel well enough to try a bar.  On my last one I had a tiny hint of the right leg thing that stopped me last time.  So tomorrow I must do a double lift and when I try lunges I will be able to answer the question, "Am I THAT stupid?"  Right now I feel I got lucky but tomorrow I will know.

Thanks for being here with me.  It's very frustrating sometimes.  I frustrate myself.  I came to California because of a big business opportunity and many more have followed.  I used to have the simple life where most of my work took place by phone and email so training was a breeze.  Now I travel more and I just have to get better at scheduling.  I'm feeling better about it but it's not quite there yet.  By the end of the summer I should be 100% dialed in so I can get ready for worlds next year.  Thanks again!  Bubba

I think I dodged a bullet today I think so here is a salute to Humble Pie - "I Don't Need No Doctor" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZMmV6xXYFw

Another Fine Day

I beat the big storm and got my garage lifting done.  I probably would have been OK but the front of the bench is near the front of the garage.  Nice to get some consistent training in.  I will hit another straight three day rotation starting tomorrow.  I go to San Jose Thursday and then Friday I will start another three day rotation.  All of this said, I cant wait until tomorrow to see if my leg hurts during lunges.  I'm guessing/hoping not, or at least minimal.  I will also test my speed and power on bleacher ramps in the PM when I go to watch the kids. Living on the edge baby!!  Have a great evening!  Bubba

Fine Tuning?

I went out to run today and decided I would try and run the steep bleachers - 60 steps or 30 "lefts".  I haven't done this since the first week before I discovered the stadium ramp might be better.  My goal was at some point be able to run up the steep bleachers at a full running tempo.  I was nowhere close to that on the last day I attempted it.  So what made me want to try it today? 

Like all athletes with a ding, we constantly want to test it to see how it's going.  Usually not the best idea but sometimes it works.  I originally wanted to do these bleachers because they would make me explosively slam my foot down to push off, PLUS make me drive forward and up.  The first action is how I hurt the under part of my leg, and the second part is how I hurt my groin.  My thinking was this would be good preventive conditioning, especially if I went periods without vaulting.  The only problem was I didn't have the strength and quickness to do it without looking like I was walking at a fast pace.

Today was different.  Because I have been running 10 X 50m bleacher ramps 2-3 days a week for awhile I was able to blast right up the bleachers for most of the way just like I was running on flat ground.  My tempo and rhythm were good.  Of course at the 3/4 point my lack of specific sprint conditioning slowed me horribly and I was pretty out of breath. As a recovery I walked over to, and down the stadium ramp and the ran back up it.  That was one set. 

Today I only made two sets for four total repetitions.  My goal is 5/10.  What does that tell you?  I've got some serious work to do.  The good news is that I have improved enough to do it at all, and now with three days a week to attempt it, I feel I will get better at it much faster.  That said, the GREAT news was that I felt no pain ANYWHERE!!  So that makes for a good day.  And I hope you have a great day!  Bubba

Traffic Light Logic?

I felt a little pain under my right leg yesterday on one of my jumps.  This is the ding that started my long winding and slow rehab in the fall because I wouldn't leave it alone.  Like an idiot, I took two more jumps after I felt it because I know if it is really about to be hurt, that I will feel additional pain on each jump until I have to stop 3-4 jumps later.  SO, two more jumps and I felt nothing so I stopped with what felt like a fantastic day.

This morning it kind of ached so I decide I'll just do squats and bail on the lunges, which I had put in to strengthen that area.  After squats I decided, what the heck, let's see if it hurts.  If two extra vaults didn't hurt then surely light lunges won't, and besides, they will serve as rehab.  NOPE - I felt it and felt it too much so I stopped.  SO what does this mean?

Though I feel it is so minor that I could probably get away with jumping Monday, I've decided to use what I call "Traffic Light Logic".  You learn a lot from traffic lights; like the kid who said he learned that the yellow light means to go REALLY fast.  For me, a caution light is always followed by a red light, so I will obey the signal and STOP any effort to vault until I can lunge with no pain.

I really don't expect this to take long because this is super mild compared to what I have experienced before.  But with meets on 4/15 and 4/26, I don't want to risk liming around when I can fix it in a week by being cautious.  Besides, I just had the best vault session since I've been in California, AND I'm starting to feel like I'm getting conditioned again.  I think I will stick to that plan and keep momentum gaining in an area that will pay off later when I am healthy.  Thanks so much for your support and have a great evening.  Bubba

Here is REO Speedwagon's "Roll With the Changes", and I will - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGgLPriZUSA

Changes Were Good!!

I decided I was sick about bitching about my schedule, travel, business meals, my weight, etc., and decided I would do something about it.  As a result, I met my goal of coming back from Denver lighter than when I left.  Though I did nothing for the past three days I was disciplined about eating and did have a good week of training last week.  Today I was rewarded by a really good vaulting session; probably the best practice since I moved to California the week before Christmas.

Coach Dunn had seen me practice the week before and asked if today if I could jump with his kids so they could get a feel for how I approach practice.  I felt decent and went through my poles from 4 steps and 6 steps.  At 6 steps (33' - 10m) I cleared 11' (3.35m) very easily on my 4m/14.7, skipped to 12' (3.66m) and made it twice, once on my 14.3 and once on my biggest carbon, a 13.5/182.  I've only jumped on the 13.5 once this year and that was right before Reno and it was a real struggle.  Today it felt very manageable as my strength and technique matched up well with a quick run rhythm.  In fact I thought the pole was too small and that has never happened on that pole from that run, EVER. 

Monday I will jump with the older kids and start from 6 steps on my 14' 1" (4.30m) poles and see if I can get the first one to move from there.  If I can it will be the first time since right after the World Masters Games in 2009.  I will make that my mission.  I know I can't get on the next pole from that run (.9 jump) and have never cleared a bar on it from 8 steps, so that's the next goal.  I'll train over the next few days to be fresh that day and try and knock both of these goals out.

My only travel next week is Thursday when I go to San Jose for the day and come home that evening.  No travel scheduled immediately after that but Denver will happen again maybe the 9th as I have a big deal finishing there.  This should give me a couple of more weeks of consistent training. 

I'm not at my vaulting weight yet but I'm within 3 lbs (1.3 kg) of being at the top end.  I'm 174 and my most effective vault range for a meet is 168-171.  In practice I like to be a few pounds heavier as it makes me feel quicker at meets. 

Today was a very pleasant surprise considering how crappy I have felt about myself, my efforts and my vaulting.  Getting a full week of regular training last week did wonders for my attitude.  It gave me a purpose to pay attention and stop my bitching.  Thank YOU all for putting up with it and hanging in here with me!  Bubba

I'm reading Ozzy Osbourne's book, which of course is fascinating.  Here is the most "Un-Ozzie" song but a nice change for today, "Changes" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ-O8emCUXI

Limping Along

I'm in Denver for the big Peyton Manning signing and intro.  One lady had her flag at half mast because Tim Tebow will likely be leaving.  Anyway, good few days for business but my right groin is really sore again.  I did my lifts and bleachers with no issues before I left so I have no idea if this is just lack of stretching, late soreness.  I do know I don't like it.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Home tomorrow and vault Thursday - I hope!  Bubba

Closing the Circle

Today the final load from our Texas house is supposed to be picked up by the movers.  If you remember we rented the biggest truck U-Haul had but it wasn't big enough.  Since we have been without the remaining stuff since December 15, I put the load out on U-Ship thinking I could get a better deal if they didn't have a deadline for pick up and delivery.  For the most part that has proven true except that the schedule keeps moving as they guy gains or loses loads to get from the east coast to the west coast.  Anyway, our house is in escrow to be sold and the final load of our household will soon be on it's way.

I was thinking today what a struggle it has been to get and keep a schedule since I have been here.  That said, for 24 years Southern California was home.  Though I grew up in Texas I was always destined for California.  Even as a kid I was fascinated with the beach life and vaulting circles as I saw it on TV and read about in Track & Filed News.  I'm coming back full circle getting "Home", but I'm really ready to feel like I live and train here.  Oh I know I work and sleep here, but I need a little more of the real life.

Great garage lift and bleacher ramps today.  Huge winds make the ocean and trees look like Hawaii when the trade winds come in for the afternoon.  Off to Denver tomorrow.  I'll be sure and stretch there this time and be ready to jump on Thursday.  Have a great day and thanks for being here!  Bubba

The Redneck Rapper, Bubba Sparxxx with "Ugly" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Trd49Da0gf0&ob=av2e

Wet Gym Day

I would have liked to run today but it's too cold and rainy.  I had my gym/bars day and it felt very good.  It will take me a few weeks to get my body thriving in the new routine, but by tomorrow, when I complete my first full four day rotation, I'll at least feel like I might deserve to become an athlete again someday.  Thanks for sticking with me.  I hate feeling like a failure!!  Bubba

Settling In

It felt good to have a normal workout today on a normal schedule.  Now that I have changed my outlook I feel like I can really get into a groove.  Denver next M-W but home the following week, all week, rather than Northern California.  When I do go to NoCal I will go in and out on Tuesday so that will be nice.  So much of progress has to do with a consistent routine.  I may actually get there.  Have a great evening and thanks for being here!  Bubba

OK Day

Going out of town sucks for my diet.  TOO MANY EATING MEETINGS!!!

I did some decent active rest but forgot my ankle weights to do my dynamic stretching.  So when I jumped today I felt like a FAT water balloon with no stride length.  I felt fairly snappy but was not covering much ground.  It wasn't as bad as I'm making it sound but it felt like that. 

I made 10' 6" (3.20m) from four steps and moved on to 11' (3.35m) from six steps which I cleared by a mile.  I took only two at 12' (3.66m) as I felt I could strain a hamstring if I pushed to make up for my lack of stride length.

I got my 10 stadium ramps done too so today felt like a practice and I was pleased.  My knee did not hurt and I'm convinced it is because I'm making myself get my foot down at take of instead of blocking.  Thanks for your support.  Hard leg lift day tomorrow.  Bubba

My New Reality

Today I found out that not only will I be in Denver next Monday and Tuesday, but I will be in Northern California the next Monday and Tuesday.  Of course this is tonight after I just got back from being in the Beverly Hills / Los Angeles area for Monday and Tuesday. SO, I figure I'll block out Monday and Tuesday for travel.  The reality is that I'll probably only have to miss both days twice a month as this month has been very unusual.  What does this mean?

Actually I think this means I'll have much more consistent and better training.  I'll vault/run on Thursday, lift legs hard Friday, go the gym to do secondary exercises and bars, as well as run stadium ramps on Saturday, and lift the big upper lifts in the garage on Sunday.  So 1 X vault, 2 X run, 3 X lift, for a hard four days.  NOW - two weeks a month I will vault/run on Monday and head up to LA on Tuesday.  So on those weeks I get an extra vault/run day.

My former coach and longtime friend, Dave Johnston (DJ), used to tell me that I over train.  To me it's how I move my body forward when it's trying to slowly die backward.  That said, after 2-3 weeks of my normal type of training I have to back off because I start to feel too beat up.  It looks and feels to me like my new reality will be sustainable and something I can build off of.  I'm actually very excited for this schedule as it was so frustrating trying to figure out how to juggle missed training.  Now I have a fixed schedule.  Have a great day and thanks for your support!  Bubba

Aerosmith, "Eat the Rich" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-0lAhnoDlU

New Plans

I'm "on the road" in the LA / Beverly Hills area for two nights but I'm doing some jogging/stretching/striding, etc. so I can jump on Thursday.  No problems with my body today so I'm happy about that.
I got confirmation that I am jumping in Texas the weekend of April 26-27 at my Alma Mater, Texas State University in San Marcos.  They are having an "Alumni Vault" at their big invitational so I'm really looking forward to that.  I think I'll ship my poles to Kris for that meet.  Great facility and wind conditions.  Can't wait!!  Another reason to be accountable in my training.

Have a great evening and thank you for your support!  Bubba

Disappointed - Or Not!?

Please click to enlarge

Today I jumped at the California Senior Games.  I could not have enjoyed the experience more because I got to hang out with, and jump with a fantastic group of guys.  I also couldn't have vaulted worse or been more surprised at my health.

During last night's jog/stretch/stride I felt great!  This morning as I warmed up, I was cautious because I was certain of one thing, that my knee would flare because I did not get it shot.  SHOCK - it did not, and as a result my poles were WAY too tiny to be effective.  I will not ever take my 14' 1" (4.30m) poles to a meet again as they are useless.

Clearly my training and running are working because with little effort these poles just flat didn't work.  By the time I figured it out, and was sure I wouldn't hurt my knee, I was out of jumps.  Long story short, I got 2nd with a jump on 3.45m (11' 3 3/4").  When a 1470 is too small to make 11' 8" (3.55m) from 8 steps, then I have a problem.  In Reno I got away with this.  At San Diego the poles were small but I still made heights on them. Today they were like toys.  Lesson learned, but the good news is that my knee did not hurt.  That, along with getting to spend time with a great group of guys, made this a fantastic day.  Thanks for your support!  Bubba

A New Beginning

Before I left yesterday I had finally had it with my computer as my email shut down about 15 times over the past 12 hours. On the way out if town I got a new notebook computer and have been spending what little free time I have getting it set up.  So here I am.

Drove to Cambria last night, Monterrey tonight and will stay in Palo Alto near Stanford University tomorrow.  I jump at 8 AM PDT on Sunday, (7AM the day before daylight savings time) and it will be close to 40 degrees.  Today we started at 37 and it warmed up to 74, so I can only hope the meet runs slow or it warms up faster.  Doesn't sound too fun but we all have to deal with it.  Oh well.

Last night and today was just getting Internet connection and installing a few programs.  The good news / bad news is that Monday morning I'm gone to LA / Beverly Hills for three days so I will have to have this computer "my main one" by the time I get home.  I think I'm close.  Have a great evening.  Bubba

ACDC - For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ0zP3U_iE0&feature=related  I always play this before I go out onto the field before a big meet in honor of my fellow vaulters.

Last Workout

Today I was in Beverly Hills most of the day on business, got back for a late lunch and then went to run my 5 X 50m bleacher ramps.  I felt very good so I backed off on the last two.  I'll do a long stretch in the AM and then hit the road.  I have a meeting in Santa Monica at noon and then I'm off.

Daylight Savings time is Saturday night and we jump Sunday morning at 8.  Should be about 45 degrees when we warm up.  I'm hoping they have some other pits out that I can warm up on closer to the time that I jump.  I put my two 14' 1" (4.30m) poles back in my bag to start on so that should work.

I'll be short tonight as I'm having some compute issues I need to fix before I go.  have a great evening and thanks for your support!  Bubba

Consistency On the Easy Stuff!!

Too many times we find ourselves embracing the grind yet ignoring the easy stuff like stretching and active rest.  My lifts have been heavier but shorter this week and I feel pretty strong and reasonably fast. I'm starting to feel like I will feel good on Sunday, and since this is only Tuesday, that's a good sign.  Since my next meet is either late April or June 2, I'd like to have a decent day Sunday.  Hopefully it won't rain, though I know it will be colder.

Today I went through all of my stretches etc., things I sometimes really just want to skip.  I can't risk being tight or not fluid in my running, especially since there will be a drive broken up over three days.  I've got to be accountable to my active rest and stretching on the road, especially my eating. I feel I will be OK as long as I am aware of it today.  Fear is a big motivator and I can't see myself being physically and mentally ready and then taking shortcuts on the final days.  Oh well, that's what's on my mind; take care of the details and don't screw up.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Bubba

Smashing Pumpkins - "Bullet With Butterfly Wings".  BTW - I only HEAR the songs when I train so the videos many times surprise me.  But it's the music that drives my training.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-r-V0uK4u0&feature=related

Jumping Levels

Everything in life is about levels.  Motivational speaker, Tony Robbins says that a plane on the way to Hawaii is off course 99% of the time but still gets there because of thousands of small adjustments.  In my case I never really know the exact end goal, other than to better myself. 

My business is certainly making another giant level change while eating away at anything resembling free time. That said I'm taking pride in getting my workouts done as well as working with the kids at Dana Hills High School.  These activities feel like quite the refuge from the insanity of growing a national company. 

I'm really spending a lot of time figuring the best way to get to the next level physically for jumping.  I know I'm on track but do I need adjustments?  I think I will know more after Sunday.  Have a great day and thanks for your support!  Bubba

RIP Ronnie Montrose, who died Saturday at age 64 of prostate cancer - "Space Station #5" with Sammy Hagar singing.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6BTTJo1KmM

Things Are Looking Up?!

I went out for my first vault session at Dana Hills High School this morning, fully expecting to be out eight weeks.  I felt like I dinged my groin thing doing lunges this week and was afraid of a complete setback.  I didn't feel anything when I was lifting but later it kind of ached and hurt like it did a month before Reno.  DANGIT!!  I didn't feel it running my stadium ramps yesterday but felt it when I made lateral moves before and afterward.  Not a good sign.

As I expected I needed to get out and shake my body up a little bit and TRY and get a few jumps in until a flare came and stopped me.  Well, that's what I expected. In fact, I didn't even think I would get far enough along to bother bringing out a crossbar.  Then came the surprise.  Granted I did not feel horrible but I didn't feel good either but the result was encouraging. I completed nine vaults from four steps (22') clearing 9' 6" - 11'.  I took five jumps at 11' (3.35m) just because I wasn't quite tired enough yet and I only brought but one pole. 

Near the end my body was starting to feel a little beat up so I stopped and finished the remaining five stadium ramps from yesterday.  SO, I will not be a tourist next week and will actually vault in the meet. In addition, I found if I put my take off foot down under me, like I am supposed to, instead of blocking, that my knee didn't hurt.  I hurt now but I'm not really injured in any way I don't think.  I've pushed my luck enough for today and relieved to say the least.  Have a great Sunday and thanks for being here!  Bubba

GFR - "Inside Looking Out" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXegeGA61o0  A great grind away song for running bleacher ramps.

Sometimes I Want to YELL!!

I went out to run today and to see if I felt I needed to do a little jumping.  I ran five bleacher ramps and felt I should try some low level jumps to get the kinks out.  I did not bring any of my poles because I didn't know if there would be an event using the field.  There was not.  The school has a ton of poles but their 13' 1" (4m) poles were too small for me.  I decided I will wait and go back tomorrow morning and take my smallest pole and get a few jumps in and do another 5 X bleacher ramps.

PAIN - the outside of my right foot is flared a little again and it may be from the bleacher ramps.  Now what?  Don't know. 

I need to jump because I get a flare in my right lower ab when I have done too much bar work and not enough jumping.  It flares quickly and I have to stop, but it doesn't come back until I have another long period of hard training and not jumping. It doesn't always happen but right now it feels it could and that can't be next Sunday at my big meet. 

Also, I need to flare my knee up a little so the doc can shoot the right spot.  Right now it doesn't hurt but I need it to a little so I can pinpoint the hottest spots for my cortisone injection.  WHATEVER IT TAKES!  Have a great day! Bubba

From Sixx AM (Motley Crue bassist, Nikki Sixx) - This is Going to Hurt - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5G1D9XO_C4 - That says it all for this week, but when it's over, it won't.

Fly Away? Or Not?

My friend and USA National Champion, Mark Hollis above the bar and the crowd

at the Mall Vault / Drake Relays.

Had a nice garage lift today and it made me wonder if I should try an easy little jump session tomorrow.  I'm thinking it might get me moving around a little to shake the kinks out, as well as flare up my knee a little so I can find the place to get it shot on Wednesday.  I'll play it by ear when I get out there to run tomorrow.

Tonight was Dana Hills High School's Intrasquad meet (Blue/White) so I helped out on one pit and Julie helped on the other one.  Since the coach and guy who used to vault there, Steven, was at work, I got to get to know the kids a little better.  Overall I was really impressed by what they have taught as all kids had really good fundamental mechanics.  Not that I'm surprised but that it is pleasant to see.  A really fun night. 

I'll report back tomorrow and we will see what we shall see.  I think physically I can do this but I have to weight if it is smart.  Right now I'm leaning toward it. Have a great evening and thanks for being here!  Bubba

Lenny Kravitz', "Fly Away" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvuL5jyCHOw

Start the Fire - AGAIN!!

As a guy who has always worked for himself, I have had the ability to juggle my schedule somewhat so that I can make time to workout.  Of course there are busy times and travel times that this is impossible.  I'm sure it is no surprise that I am as accountable or more to myself for work so there is a constant struggle going on to get both done.  Needless to say work takes the front seat. 

Because of this I have had two days off.  I HATE that because it is so hard to get started again.  I remember reading about Lance Armstrong during the Tour de France where he said he loves yet hates the day off.  Your body and mind need it but you feel so bad trying to get back in the groove the day after the rest.  Mentally and physically it is just so hard to restart after one day, so two days is even more miserable.  I can't imagine a month or so.

All of this said I got a good gym lift and also got to the track to get my 10 X 50m stadium ramps done.  It felt good to be out there but DANGIT I find it so hard to get out of the door.  Glad it's done.  I will train every day through Tuesday and then break for work and the drive up the coast to the Bay Area for the California Senior Games.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Glad I made it!  Bubba

Billy Joel's, "We Didn't Start the Fire" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTLKWw542g&ob=av2e