Same Old!!

 

Photo from Reno last year at 11'6"/3.51m on a cut 1465 Essx Recoil Advanced.  Trying to decide what poles to take this year.  We jump two weeks from Friday.

Two HARD days!  Couldn't jump Sunday as it was way too cold with a head wind.  All lifting, running and bars are getting better.  Have a great day!  Bubba

Oingo Boingo - "Just Another Day" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJGykmmBjP4

Carry On!!

So I'm just back in the swing enough that everything feels dead.  Not really sore anymore, just feel weak and dead.  Everything feels hard.  That's life!  That is all!!  Have a great day!  Bubba

Offspring - "Hit That" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1slFc9G7I74

Merry Christmas!!

It's Thursday so it's a jump day. Decided to start on the kid's 1330 to see if my anterior delt was getting better and had no issues at 2 steps.  Once the pole started bending it was really too soft so I went and got my first pole, the 12'4"/3.75m/155.  One take off there and though my arm held up I felt a little signal telling me to be careful so I stopped.  Next time I'll try the 1335 and 1340 and then next Thursday be back on my poles.

In the short and long run it's really pretty good things have worked out as they have.  I've got a good strong training period under me and just about doe with all of the crap feeling that accompanies the first to weeks of hard and consistent training.  I'm grateful!!  Have a great Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate.  Bubba

ACDC - "For Those About To Rock" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpeUVCQv5YQ

Silent Progress!!

I lost the charge cord to my mp3 player.  Ordered a new one when I saw it still had half power left.  It was the wrong one.  Got a serial number and ordered the right one.  It will arrive January 2.  My mp3 went dead three days ago.  What's the big deal? 

My music drives me when I don't have the will to drive me.  That said, it's been a remarkable three days of training focus as I pay attention to every detail of my training.  Solitude became it's own reward.  That said, I was overjoyed to find my "lost" cord today.  Nice lesson though.  Have a great day!  Bubba

Simon & Garfunkel - "Sounds of Silence" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTCNwgzM2rQ

Easy Rules & Lessons!!

Take your time and don't skip the little stuff.  There are no shortcuts!!  This is what I thought about during today's lifting.  Yesterday my anterior delt (front shoulder muscle) was still not well from the weird take off a week ago.  I stopped after one 2 step jump.  Fine.  France is August 11. 

Message to self - Take your time and get well, then strong, then fast; a little at a time.  During stretching today I realized how long it had been since I had really taken my time and had a good stretch.  If felt so good and maybe "cost me" an extra 10 minutes.  That's better than the 6-8 weeks NOT stretching can cause me when I get a leg injury.  I'm refreshed and excited, but I'm taking my time; one little site at a time.  Have a great day and thank you for checking in.  Bubba

Playing this a little on guitar this morning - ACDC - "Thuderstruck" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2AC41dglnM

Return to Wor Program!!

Good first hard garage lift since the shoulder injections.  So far so good.  I feel much stronger than I thought I would.  I will embrace the fact that nothing hurts and then pretend t may stay that way for awhile.  Have a wonderful day and thank you so much for your support!  Bubba

Humber Pie - "I Don't need No Doctor" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZMmV6xXYFw

Crawling Back Up!!

Another good but forced break and back to the grind today.  Body felt great.  I'll get one, maybe two training rotations before I try and jump again.  The injections fixed the problems.  The little delt ding the other da is much better but not ready to go.  Very soon now.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!  Bubba

Defiant music that blasted me through training today when I wanted no part of it.  Thank you Linkin Park - "Crawling" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd9OhYroLN0

Ding, Ding Ding?!

Since I got two injections Monday, today was supposed to be an easy shake out.  Of course that means I'm going to try and jump at a low level.  Unfortunately it was 43 degrees this morning so I waited a little later to go out; 7:30 instead of 6:45.  I thought it might be a tailwind when I left my house, but NO - BIG headwind.  On top of that everything was soaked from our torrential rain.  How's that for a set up for disaster?

On my second 2 step take off, my foot slid across water on the runway and then stopped when it hit a dry spot, thus forcing me to fall into the pole with my step a full 1' out.  I felt a strain on the anterior delt on the left side as my arm pulled down to prevent me from slipping off and landing in the box.  Day over.

I did my ramps up behind the stadium and headed to the gym, again with my hopes and hear dashed.  Another *%&#%$^*(&%#^ DING!!!  In the gym, as I sometimes get, I decided to just go about my business and attack, and only stop if it hurt.  Surprisingly nothing ever hurt.  Did all of my bars and even lifted bench and lats.  NOTHING. 

Considering my delt hurt when I threw my fanny pack in the trunk of the car, yet  could lift without limitation, I think its OK.  But we will see Thursday, when I was originally supposed to try and jump.  have a great Sunday!  Bubba

The great Joe Bonamassa rocking out to ZZ Top & Led Zepplin live - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Aud7AwGGb4

OUCH!!

I'm traveling this week and my first stop was Houston where Dr. Rand gave me two injections; one in the shoulder and the other in my leg.  Ultrasound of my leg showed evidence of a muscle tear with a "ball of crap of scar tissue", as he called it, had formed around and in the former tear.  The shot will dissolve the mess and it should be over after eight troubling months.  This scar tissue causes adhesions and every time one breaks, I get set back.  He assured me this would go on forever had we not taken this action.  I'm not surprised.  VERY painful but excited to be done.  Have a great rest of the week and thanks for checking in.  Bubba

Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Scar Tissue" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzJj5-lubeM

The Insanity Continues!!

Baby Steps!!

Don't you hate it when you take your car to the shop and it won't misbehave for the mechanic like it constantly does for you?  Well, I will be in Houston to see my physician tomorrow about the leg that caused me to frustratingly embrace retirement 15 days ago.  The problem, though a good one, is that I jumped another full session this morning from 3 lefts/6 steps again, and easily made 11'/3.35m on my smallest pole, and felt absolutely nothing.  You may remember I also jumped Thursday.  What's that all about?!

Now I have no shortage of issues I can and will discuss with him, but seemingly the big kahuna has now fixed itself after eight months of me screwing around with it.  The blog post to tell you how I "solved" this would be too long, but suffice it to say if your training hurts you and your event does not, adjust your training.  I have.  Hope you have a wonderful Sunday and thanks so much for your support.  Bubba

Robert Plant - "Big Log" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AT7sJkBejc  Hmm - Plant and Big Log do go together for pole vaulters but I picked this because I'm trying to master in on my guitar.  ;-)

Foolishness & Sadness!!

Me & My Boy Tuffy - RIP - 12/4/14

Eleven days ago I was devastated and facing certain "retirement" as this inner leg thing again jumped up and bit me out of nowhere.  Coming to a stop after a 20% sled run it just grabbed and stopped me in my tracks.  For the next 4-5 days I limped around the house and avoided training. 

Saturday, the first day of no pain, I was out with the kids and did some walking plants and even a few super easy two step take offs into the pit.  Today I jumped from 3 lefts/6 steps like it never happened.  All I can think is that I must have had some adhesions break loose or something because no muscle heals in 11 days. 

I couldn't walk without a severe limp, yet 11 days later I'm vaulting?!  Stayed on my smallest pole but still easily made 10'6"/3.20m from 3/6 on a pole I usually go 2/4 on.  I'll take it.  Have a great evening and thanks for your support!  Bubba

Metallica - "Seek & Destroy" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StRVJO9Zq3o

Another Ramp Up!!

I've spent the last couple of days ramping my training back up and that will continue until my day off Wednesday.  The leg thing seems far better as I ran 10 X bleacher ramps this morning, but the upper back strain from trying to sling that laser printer around is still pretty touchy. 

Ramp ups are a necessary part of training.  I had being going very hard core on all of my training with many consecutive days.  Though the break is needed and nice, getting started again isn't always that fun.  That said, I've started.  Have a great day and thanks for your support.  Bubba

PS - apparently I'm not retired just yet.  I'm planning on vaulting Thursday.

Amboy Dukes featuring Ted Nugent on guitar - "Journey to the Center of the Mind" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN2VNFpiGWo

HUH?!

My body feels like total crap since I've not done hardly anything recently.  Add to that a little back tweak from moving a heavy laser printer.  Got a nice little spasm just inside of my left shoulder blade. 

SO, I went out to watch the kids and noticed I now have no pain or restriction to walk.  Did a few walking plants, then jogging plants, so what the hey - might as well take off a few times from two steps and land in the pit.  NOTHING - no pain.  Oh I'm sure it's there and it can come right up and bite me, but today I got of easy.  HUH?!!  Have a great day and thanks for checking in!  Bubba

Beck - "Loser" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgSPaXgAdzE

Funeral for a Friend!! Retire or Detour?

In 1973, my freshman year in college, a friend of mine from the track team, Dale (Glump) came and found me at a party to tell me that a very good friend had died.  That friend, Frank McMurray stays with me today.  He was one of the nation's top pole vaulters, who dropped dead on the track of a heart defect at the end of a relay.  Gone at 17 years old, a 15'6" junior!!

Those emotions returned to me today as I again, with no warning, popped that thing in my leg after a 20% warm-up sled run.  I had just vaulted two days ago with no issues and here it is again.

The last time this happened I was so distraught and emotional that I sat in the stands and cried for 10 minutes before I could leave.  Today Nancy was out there running when it happened so I didn't have the luxury of letting my pain go until I got in my car and headed to the gym.

In the parking lot at the gym I felt myself about to start sobbing and couldn't even make myself get out of the car to go inside.  This has been going on for eight months and there is no reasonable explanation what could possibly be wrong.  Bubba Sparks the pole vaulter lies dead.  Well if not dead then unconscious with no desire to rise.

As the day went on it dawned on me that I have misdiagnosed this all along.  It's behaving exactly as a tendon irritation, and we keep treating it as a muscle.  How else do you explain that I will be able to do full weights tomorrow on leg curls?  It's a tendon fascia FLARE idiot!!  It goes away in 2-3 weeks and you can return to activity until you reach a certain point and then BAM!!!  The problem is that the flare now happens sooner and sooner. 

I jumped 11'/3.36m jogging in from 3 lefts/6 steps and felt nothing Thursday.  WHY THE &$%* is this *$^*#^ thing keep coming back?!  It's a flare!  Scar tissue settles while healing, and then gets jerked away reopening the initial irritation.  Cortisone dissolves this scar tissue clump.

MY plan was to come on here and tell you that I was retiring from vaulting, would start back over from ground zero and work my way back up.  See you all in 6-9 months.  I need the training but I don't have the will to fight the disappointment of vaulting any longer.

Then I got an idea.  Today I emailed my physician in Houston and he will inject me two weeks from Monday.  He has figured out and fixed every other weird thing ever wrong with me and thinks my reasoning makes sense. 

So maybe I'm not quite dead yet.  But I certainly know how a cat feels.  I just have no idea how they survive those 8 deaths to have 9 lives.  I gave up today.  I was dead.  I quit and I am grieving severely.  Then somehow I got this little ray of hope that I think Dr. Rand can turn into a beam of light.  For once I would like the light at the end of the tunnel to be healthy freedom and not the headlight of a train.  Have a good evening and thanks for being here.  Bubba

Here is the song I played the night Frank died, and today when I did - Elton John - "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p_xAToFzck
I may be dead but I'm hovering above the body in spirit waiting to be called back in.  Do your stuff Dr. Rand!

One Foot in Front of the Other!!

Nothing really to report.  I keep showing up and doing the work.  Not so beat up anymore, and feel some momentum from my consistency.  I'm still crawling though, with walking not that close by.  Have a great day and thanks for being here!  Bubba

Foo Fighters - "Pretender" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBjQ9tuuTJQ

OK - I Think?!

My body felt like such crap last night that I decided about 2 AM that not only was I not going to run or vault today, but I wasn't even going to the gym.  My heel bruise, the inside of my leg, my right hip, my horrible tennis elbow on my right side, my back, ALL bugged me to the point that I knew if I did anything I would be injured.  I woke up and took the dog out at 4:30 AM and was even more certain.

I got up at 6 and started moving around and wondering if I shouldn't go out and at least go through everything  but the vault part at a super low level.  Something happened along the way and I'm not sure how.  I was able to do everything, had three very good vaults and completed my entire workout with issues.  You got me.  I don't get it.  But I'll take it.  Have a great evening.  Bubba

White Stripes - "7 Nation Army" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY

It's All a Blur!!

I'm in a pretty good routine of consistent training.  The days a flipping by and I'm getting the work done.  I feel like I am, and can continue to gain momentum here.  The best part is that I have jumped two days and will again Sunday. 

Yesterday was not a stellar jump day but it was more about pole selection than vaulting ability.  The 1340 UCS was too small as was the 1345 from 2 strides/4 steps/22'/7m.  The next pole is a UCS 1350 which should be about the equivalent of my 12-4/155, so I bailed on it and went to my 155.  That pole was a little bigger jump of a stiffness jump than I wanted in the middle of vaulting.  I took two jumps, cleared 10'/3.05m and stopped with seven total jumps.  I will start on that pole Sunday and hope to make some progress.

Overall my body seems pretty good but I will remain cautious and within myself.  Have a great day and thanks for checking in!  Bubba

Blur - "Song 2" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc18xt5wQnk

Grind On!!

Two strong lifting days, with an easy run session this morning.  Off tomorrow and then jump Thursday.  Last time I used a 1330 and took one on a 1440 at the end.  I'll start on the 1440 Thursday and hope to get back to my normal start pole, the 12'4"/155 on Sunday.  Tiny poles from 2/4/22', but beats the heck out of not jumping.  Have a great day!  Bubba

John Mellencamp - "Stand for Something" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kITDU0S1WMA

For Those About To Rock?!

Hyperfocus!!

 

I have so many mixed emotions as I work through my training and training plans.  I see on Facebook that time is flying as kids are ready to go for their indoor season and I'm again, not jumping.  What a CRAP year with a hamstring explosion at Reno, re-injured in Colorado Springs and then new dings right after I get back to a decent level of jumping.  I missed more meets this year than ever because I never got well.

You always wonder if you will ever be able to jump again.  Even worse, you ask yourself if you throw in the towel and quit seriously training.  And then other days you just defy logic and say "screw it".  Today was one of those days.

I only ran twice this week because on my day of 6X100 and 4X50, I felt a little plantar fasciitis and knew I needed a break.  I remembered that I only get this when I wear ankle weights on longer reps (never on sleds), but it was too late; I needed a break for a few days.  Dammit!!!!

Today I got to run sleds and the first thing I think is, "I bet 10 sleds will flare a bit, maybe I should do five.  Of course five sleds is my warm up for vaulting, so why not vault after the sleds"?  Message to self - "Are you f'ng stupid you dumbass?"  Answer - "Yes!"

Forget that I don't have my gym bag with tape, spray, knee brace, etc; I grab two poles and crossbar.  I have a 1330 and a 1340 and I'm jogging in from 2 lefts/4 steps and clear 7'6", 8'6" and 9'6" with no pain, or hint of pain anywhere in my body. 

I stop and go to the gym with hyper focus on lifting and bars.  Funny how when you can jump ,these other training components have real urgency.  Don't get me wrong, I do them perfectly even when I can't jump, but today I did them joyfully with hyperfocus. 

I might actually be able to jump again.  Just four weeks ago today I got that shoulder ding in Las Vegas.  The key for me is that no matter what has been going on with my body, I have continued to do lots of running, lifting and bars, and today that conditioning is starting to show up. 

Have a great Sunday and thank you for your support!!  It means a lot to me that you keep checking in no matter how ugly this gets.  Somehow I keep getting up but I have no idea how anymore.  I'm just glad I did today!  Bubba

AC/DC - "For Those About to Rock" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fPf6L0XNvM

Moving On!!

Seems like regular training. Cautious out of habit rather than need, but that's probably the best place to be.  Two more days in this five day rotation, and then I take a two day break.  Hope I make it.  Have a great day and thanks for checking in!  Bubba

Megedeth - "Skin 'O My Teeth" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psotUUPGG_E

The Surprise Continues!!

I had my first big chest/back lifting today and everything went super!!  No arm or shoulder issues over six exercises and 25 total sets.  Another run/leg/bar day tomorrow where caution will be the operative word.  Thanks for your support!  Bubba

REO Speedwagon - "Riding the Storm Out" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVFgEBq0EKM

Reverse Surprise!!

I took 10 days off because of 3-4 weird dings, and today returned to full training in ramp up mode.  Started with sleds w/ankle weights for 2X50, 2X45, 2X40, 2X35 & 2X30.  I felt fast with no limitations.  Huh?  OK - about time I get a nice surprise instead of another body breakdown.

Moved to the gym where I do 3X5 high bar front levers, like you see online except I don't swing at all because that kills the muscular effect.  Then did a set of 7 and a set of 3 parallel bar Bubkas.  So 25 bar exercises after having tennis elbow so bad I couldn't brush my teeth.  I felt NOTHING!!  Like it never happened.  Another nice surprise.

Leg lifts were uneventful as usual and of course I'm not complaining about that.  I have a big upper day tomorrow and then arms/shoulders Wednesday.  Tuesday I repeat today except I run 5X100 and 5X50 with no sled and lighter ankle weights.  After these four days I should have a much better feel for where I really am. 

One thing is apparent; as much as I hated it, 10 days off of everything was the right move.  It reminds me what the great Mike Tully used to tell me about his "rehab" from injuries.  "I go to the store and get a 12 pack of beer and come home and watch TV.  Repeat until I can vault again."  Well I don't drink alcohol, but the 10 days rest sure did the trick.  Thanks for hanging with me.  Bubba

Van Halen - "Standing on Top of the World" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBGTCQa6AHY

Really?!

When I jumped 10 days ago I felt a weird little strain near my elbow on my right arm.  Felt like a really bad tennis elbow flare.  Later that day I was moving some stuff and apparently strained it further.  I couldn't even brush my teeth with my right hand.  Day one I couldn't reach my mouth, and day two I couldn't put enough pressure to brush.  On top of this, it has really been bothering me that my left deltoid I strained in Las Vegas was not completely gone after three weeks.  Long story short, I bailed on all training for 10 days to let everything settle down.

Tomorrow I start back with an eight week ramp up to jumping, where I will focus on conditioning my body while bringing it back around to full strength.  As you may  remember my body does not make testosterone so I am injured easily, especially when I haven't been lifting.  I'm down to 161 again because of this so I've gotta get back to hitting the gym hard and get back to 165 as my wake up weight.

To accomplish these goals, I want a long running start before I get to any vaulting at all.  At that point I should be able to take many more jumps at a low level in order to further condition myself.  The bottom line is I don't expect to jump at Reno.  If it happens then great, but I'm not expecting it. 

If I want to be ready for France I need to take the long view.  I had too many dings turn into injuries this year and I can't afford anymore lost time, so I'm opting for slow but sure.  Have a great day and thanks for your support!  Bubba

Van Halen - "Bottoms Up" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8fYlqqg-pQ

Restart!!

I made the strange and counterintuitive decision today to try and vault.  Why not?  I thought I restrained my left leg just a week ago today, and have no idea if my delt is healed enough to vault.  Might as well try to add a month to my rehab clock.

In actuality I was hearing the words of my orthopedic surgeon telling me that if my training injured me, but my vaulting didn't, then I needed to make a change.  If my vaulting inured me and my training didn't, then I need to  make a change.  So I figured I might as well see if I can vault.

The answer is kind of.  I took some easy take offs into a big headwind and then put a bar up at 9'6"/2.90m and made it by a mile.  Felt it a tiny bit in my leg and a tiny bit in my delt.  I stopped uninjured and now I will train for a month and vault next on Thanksgiving Day.  I

t's a lot easier to train when you know you can vault, then when you're hoping to get well enough to vault.  I'll take it.  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.  Bubba

Van Halen - "Right Now" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCcLNmOpN3A

Storm Before the Quiet?!

Introspection for me sometimes comes from silence and solitude, so let's start here - Supertramp - "Even in the Quietest Moments" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8P8-mhG1Mk

Then I realized that my training is just fine the way it's been.  It's one old thing and two "new" things that are causing me issues.  With this back jam, the space between a couple of vertebrae are fully functional but have less clearance than they did on the left side, so a couple of old standby stretches had to go. 

As far as new things, one stretch, meant to solve problem #1, has actually caused trauma to the inner leg muscle I keep straining, so it's now out. 

Finally, I used to get groin injuries from the quick twitch of the legs until I started using ankle weights and running for rhythm and not speed.  From that I suddenly got faster.  So no surprise I got a wake up call on my leg on Wednesday from no ankle weights. They will be back now for all running.

Update - the leg is minimal and the delt/shoulder ding is gone.  How's that for a fast recovery?  Have a great day and thanks for checking in!  Bubba

Great defiance song to get me through workout and life today - Metallica - "No Remorse" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPA2rEsIgSU

1st Steps or Cemetery Gates?!

Today during my hardcore upper lifting I heard Pantera's, "Cemetery Gates" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDxzTeZ9-Sw and realized the cruel symbolism in my life.  I'm starting over with first steps in nearly every place in my life and many times it literally feels hopeless.  I've made huge leaps of faith in hopes that hard work, experience and guts get me through but who the hell knows?  We will see how it goes.  Right now I give it 50/50 at best; life or "Cemetery Gates".  Bubba

Starting Over Again!!

Ran 4 X 100 fast and felt great.  The first of 4 X 50m I felt a little grab in the very same spot on the inside of my left leg I have been injured with for six weeks.  Don't think it's bad but back to the drawing board.  Clearly I have lost my base conditioning and need to start over.  I'm super strong and super fast but my body can no longer take these bursts.  Need to totally revisit base conditioning.  Already started in the gym.  Bubba

Motley Crue - "Kickstart My Heart" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmXWkMlKFkI

Learning?! Resume Play?

I took the week off to give my shoulder/deltoid a chance to get on the road to being healed.  I've turned small dings into injuries so I thought I would be cautious. 

So I'm getting ready to go run yesterday and my right Achilles is really sore and achy - out of the blue.  I've had two Achilles surgeries, to the LEFT one.  NEVER anything with the right one.  I run 1X100 very slowly and it's not good.  Then I take about 10 steps on the next one and quit.  Last night I took two Meloxicam (RX strength generic Aleve), rubbed in some liquid anti-inflammatory and today it's suddenly 95% better.  Must have been a weird sleeping position.

I went to the gym this morning, did light legs and hung on the high bar.  Will resume full training on Wednesday after a full 10 day break.  Very excited to get rolling again.  Have a great Sunday!  Bubba

Living Colour - "Cult of Personality" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xxgRUyzgs0

Another Setback!!

I jumped in the Nevada Senior Games today and by all measures, to most people's view, it would be fair to say it seemed to be a complete disaster.  I took my smallest poles and was going to start real low to protect me leg.  That's the only good news of the day; my leg felt awesome from all of the running and lifting.

I made 10' easy from 2 lefts/4 steps from 22' in warm up twice.  Both Don and Brad told me the pole was way too small.  I took one on the next pole and it felt about right so I sat and waited to jump.  The fact that the 2nd pole worked from 2/4 was a big surprise since it's normally a little big from that run.  Everything is looking and feeling awesome at this point.

As the bar creeped up I decided to start at 10' rather than 9'6".  I was a little afraid the 1st pole would be too little, and the 2nd one might make me press, so I decided to move back to 3/6/33' and move up a pole.  The 3rd pole is a big pole from 3/6 but I felt good so why not.  I have made both 11'6" and 11'8" on it so 10' should be a "easy safety" jump.

My 1st of two free "run-throughs" without the bar felt good, and my 2nd one I nailed the jump and went straight up the pole.  The bar goes up, I punch my left hand up and squeeze and crank back and drive my left leg up the pole.  Though I cleared it by 2', I got a little strain in the top of my shoulder when I punched my hand up.  Just like that my day was over. S&%T!!!  ONE JUMP!!

So I'm NOT happy but on the other hand, I have not lifted upper for over two weeks because I was letting this little rotator cuff clear up.  I did not feel the rotator cuff at all so that's good.  My plan was to come back from this meet and start ramping my upper lifts back up from zero.  I have had a ton of success by ramping up from zero with my vaults (twice a week before this ding), my running, my leg lifts and my bars.  The only thing left to overhaul was my upper lifting which I was about to start anyway.  Now it has to wait two weeks, but I will continue alternating sleds and grass running every other day, leg lifts, etc.

Bottom line is I would have preferred this not happen.  But I'm thrilled with my speed, leg strength and technique.  The reason I am is because I have already done to them what I am about to do to my upper lifts.  Thanks for hanging in there with me!  Bubba

Agitation today?  Yes!!  Limp Bizkit - "Break Stuff" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpUYjpKg9KY

Ready to Go?!

Best sled day so far as I felt no limitations.  I could have run much faster but didn't want to risk that with a meet next Sunday.  So the lesson is, four weeks and one day after I decided to let it get well it did just that.  I've spent eight weeks learning this lesson yet again.  I feel stupid for that but hopefully this helps someone else out there.  DON'T turn a small ding into an injury.  Leave it alone.  Thanks for your support!  Bubba

Republica - "Ready to Go" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgffRW1fKDk
BONUS - Limpbizkit - "Rearranged" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QWOc0HnItM

Progress?!

Been quietly and cautiously going about my business.  Leg feeling better but I'm still staying well within myself.  Tomorrow will be four weeks since I got serious about letting it heal and then rehabbing it back up.  Nevada Senior Games a week from Sunday in Las Vegas.  Very small poles and short runs for fun.

One thing I have failed to do on purpose is stretching.  I'll do some leg swing active stretches tomorrow, but me and my PT decided that was just another irritation I could leave out since it was so sensitive to start healing.

Just to show how fickle this is, today when I started my 4 X 100m I noticed that my right leg was tight in the same place.  So I actually had to be more careful not to hurt my "good leg".  By the time I got to my 4 X 50m I felt pretty good and quick with no pains anywhere. 

Earlier this week when I went to do my bench press I felt a pretty significant pain in my left shoulder.  It continued to bother me all week so I didn't lift again.  I'm trying to figure out if it is rotator cuff or just a muscle strain.  I will mess around with it a little in the morning.  In any case it won't keep me from jumping.  Have a great day and I will have more tomorrow!  Bubba

Megadeth - "Symphony of Destruction" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdtZQQzVvqQ

Breaking Through?!

I've trashed my legs with lifting and running over the last four days and they have responded back by letting me do considerably more each session.  I'm grateful.  Why couldn't I have been this patient at the beginning?  Definitely a case of pay me now or pay me later as far as healing lessons.  I rushed it and got slapped back down to zero twice.  Now I've let is go and in 22 days I'm almost 100%.  Very stupid to have to relearn a lesson I already knew.  Please help me remember this!  Have a great Sunday!  Bubba

Chickenfoot - "Soap on a Rope" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHqA6HtVU70  Fun to play on guitar, more fun to watch this "supergroup" enjoy the moments.  If you didn't catch drummer and Will Farrell lookalike, Chad Smith (also the Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer), doing a drum off with the real Will Farrell, check this out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uBOtQOO70Y

Speed is Returning!!

Very nice run day as I was able to run considerably faster, AND feel like I had even more.  Of course I stayed well within myself but the corner has been turned.  We will see if tomorrow that I am healthy enough to be out of breath on sleds. Have a great Saturday!  Bubba

Bush - "The Chemicals Between Us" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrmTFCfe6w8

Not Much to Report!!

Hitting the lifting grind.  Will run grass tomorrow and sleds Sunday.  Should be an interesting two day program. Have a great day!  Bubba

Megadeth - Peace Sells - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdEupVsL07E

Almost There?!

Today is the first day that I have run where I felt like I could have gone a lot faster.  Ran faster AND felt like I could run faster - FINALLY!!  Of course I didn't, but it's nice to know I may be back to normal soon.

Because my ding is triggered by the eccentric contraction, I dropped the ankle weights for now.  And then I decided not to use the sled.  Why? 

I've run sleds forever and the benefits are great.  But I feel like until I can run all of my workouts naturally at full speed, that I'm not gaining anything from going to sleds. 

The bottom line is that I have all but lost the ability to run fast flat running for any distance.  My posture is uncomfortable unless I'm leaning forward and accelerating.  I need to get this run posture and body balance back at high speeds before adding sleds again.  That's my present operating theory anyway.  Have a great day and thanks for your support!  Bubba

Billy Idol - "Flesh or Fantasy" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw1oM7LBbxE  This came on when I was running today and the first thing I thought was, "It would be a fantasy to think my flesh (body) would finally cooperate with my goals".  Enjoy!

Slow Ride!!

Decided to go out for an easy run with no sled for a change.  I reasoned that since I jump, lift legs and do sleds on Thursday/Sunday that I need some type of easy shake out running day in between.  I did 4X100 and 4X50 at about 5-7% and felt good.  Not sure if I could have gone faster but I didn't try.  I'm in for a slow ride but for some reason the results feel more assured this way so I will take it. I just have to be ready by August 15 in France.  Thanks for being here.  I need and appreciate the support!  Bubba

Foghat - "Slow Ride" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcCNcgoyG_0

Sorry For the MIA!!

When I'm grinding and not vaulting it's a little harder to remember to post a blog because I don't feel like I have anything new to add.  Then when I'm swamped with work like I have been, I mean to but forget.  In any case, sorry for the MIA.

After 15 days of not running a single step, I returned to 10 sleds today.  The good news is that I went very slowly because of how simple it is to ding this thing again, but I felt no pain during or after.  The bad news is that I'm now back where I started three weeks ago when I should have let it rest.  It was a little sore and I pushed it.  Today I did not.

There's a meet in San Diego next week and the old me would go and try to jump at a low level.  The new me knows it's too soon to revert to my past stupidity.  If I can run again Thursday and Sunday without pain, at ANY speed, I will truly be on the road to recovery.  Three weeks from today is the Nevada Senior Games where I feel I will THEN be ready to jump at a low level; not next week.

Good hard lifts and bars as all of my lifts are up to, and very stable and comfortable at my baseline higher strength levels.  I've done a good job of keeping my weight between 166-168 so I'm pleased with that.  I was afraid that lack of running or jumping may hit me hard there but I have kept it in check.

The progress should be able to now resume.  I will be careful and follow my rules.  I got this little ding by breaking them.  Have a great Sunday and thanks for hanging in there with me!  Bubba

Rage Against the Machine - "Killing in the Name Of" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWXazVhlyxQ

Are You Ready for Some Football?!

Like football, pole vaulting is a contact sport.  The more you hit the better you get at hitting.  It's all about abrupt and sustain energy transfer.  Since I won't run for another week, I've been hitting the weights and bars HARD so I can put that BOOM into the pole.  Have a great Sunday!!  Bubba

Hank Williams Jr. - "Are You Ready for Some Football?" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8LLKO0-PAE

Semimembranosus!!

I went to my PT today and he gave name the name of this "inner leg" ding I keep describing.  Two weeks of treatment followed by two weeks of ramp up sleds and I'm good to go.  Not a bad strain but an unforgiving healer.  We laughed that a healing full on hamstring strain can set you back three days, but the semimembranosus will take you back to square one.  So I will follow directions and listen.  Have a great evening and thanks for stopping by!  Bubba

Awesome song by the Foo Fighters - "Times Like These" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhzmNRtIp8k

Need the Past to Advance My Future!!

In the rearview mirror I see both good and bad things that remind me of lessons needed to move forward.  I don't allow this thinking to drag me down but rather to remind me of the work it took for my successes, and the long road it took to climb out from failures.  Overall it keeps me from throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

My leg is not nearly as bad as I thought but I will stick to the same conservative plan I should have at the beginning.  Looking back, I turned this two week ordeal into a six week struggle and was on my way to doing it again.  Thank you history.

This is Labor Day and a time to celebrate the close of the summer, the momentum to end the year, and the hopes and goals of a new year.  I have never told the story I'm about to tell.  Ten years ago today I took my last drink of alcohol.  Strange day to pick considering I only had two glasses of wine that day. 

At that point in my life I had recovered from a divorce three years earlier, near loss of the bottom half of my left leg due to an infection following my second Achilles surgery, a financial collapse and other really fun things. 

I felt I had leaned on alcohol (red wine) a little too much to get me through the mess, so the decision was easy.  On that Labor Day, my life could not be better, and with that being the case, if I didn't stop drinking then, when would I ever? 

For the great majority that knew me during this time I'm sure you had no clue of my suffering, but I knew it, and those closest to me knew it.  Let's just say I quit at the top of my game!  Have a safe and fun Labor Day!!  Bubba

ACDC - "Have a Drink on Me" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM1xL2JPWJo

Change of Plans AGAIN!!

My leg won't get well unless I let it heal.  This morning I could do heavy hack squats, lying leg curls, and leg extensions and felt absolutely nothing.  But I can't run a step.  In fact I can't even walk without a limp.  I'm right back to where I was three weeks ago because I tried to run faster than 5% before it was ready.

I'm seeing  PT friend Tuesday for some more guidance but one thing I know for sure, I'm leaving it alone.  Have a great day and thanks for hanging out with this train wreck.  Bubba

Metallica - "For Whom the Bell Tolls" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17HRV8k1YMw

Little Setback!!

When am I ever going to learn?  This little ding must get well or you are setback to zero on the healing time clock.  Yesterday in my pre-meet I did like three quick running steps and felt like I was quickly at the threshold for this inner leg issue.  I stopped. 

Throughout the day I felt it a little and this morning it felt gone.  I started sleds and by halfway through #2 I knew I was going too fast at 5% effort.  I quit hallway through #3.  So I've basically thrown away three weeks trying to rush this and now I have at least lost another week.  I only have three weeks until the San Diego Senior Games.  I'm not feeling confident I can or should try that.

Tomorrow I will switch my rehab to the Gauntlet (Stairmaster with real stairs instead of that sissy up/down pedaling) and intervals on the bike.  Even if I can't go for San Diego I will have a new level of fitness, and that is worth a lot.  Have a great day!  Bubba

Winery Dogs - "Not Hopeless" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEQBPZaobeg

No San Diego!!

I did a little pre-meet this morning and decided it's too soon for vaulting, even at a low level.  I may be able to get away with it but it's not worth the risk.  I'll just go to sleds every other day for awhile until I'm back up to full speed.  I'll jump the San Diego Senior Games on 9.21 with my 4m/13'1" poles, the Nevada Senior Games on 10/5 with 4.15m/13'7".  Why?

1) I don't want to risk getting hurt when things are going well.  2) Our world and national rankings close for this year on Sunday (8/31), so even a decent jump would go on next year's list. I think I will finish 2nd or 3rd in the world both indoors (2nd) and outdoors (3rd).  With world championships in France next year, I need to continue my march toward that rather than rush things to get bigger jumps now.

I still think it was a calculated risk that I was comfortable with when I got this ding.  I was wrong of course but I would have made the same decision.  I'm in a great place to move forward and I will look forward to that.  Have a great day!  Bubba

No Doubt - "Spiderwebs" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZktNItwexo Long before there was a Gwen Stefani "brand" she was the lead singer of a punk/ska band from Garden Grove right here in Orange County, California.  Been a fan since way back, and Spiderwebs describes my tangled up training and life at the moment.

Now What?!

I felt like I could have run much faster today, but of course did not.  I even felt like I could have jumped at a low level today, but of course I did not. 

So I'm getting ready to head to the gym and Nancy says, "So are you going to jump at the San Diego All Comers Saturday evening?"  "NO, OF COURSE NOT", I replied.  But now I'm thinking about taking my smallest poles and trying to just have some fun.  Stupid?  Don't know if I will actually do it, but it's 50/50 right now and when I heard Nancy say it my chances were 0%.  Have a great day and thanks for checking in!  Bubba

Van Halen - "Bottoms Up" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8fYlqqg-pQ

Phase Break!!

Taking a week off as a phase break to finish up my little dings.  See you soon.  Bubba

Mighty Mighty Bosstones - "The Impression That I Get" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIGMUAMevH0

Don't Screw it Up!!

I went out to do sleds today and felt pretty good.  As my stride length was extending as I walked toward the starting point of my first 50m, I felt a gentle "tugging" where my leg has been healing.  Though I have no pain, I jogged like 5% and still felt the tugging.  That is healing scar tissue and with one big step my healing clock may start over at zero days.  So after two I stopped. 

I figure that since I have been under cautious and cost me about five days in my recovery, I would be overcautious here and make some days up.  Leg lifts and bars felt great at 100%. 

I think by next Thursday I can vault from 2 lefts/4 steps but may wait one more week just to be overcautious.  OR I will just run and show up at the San Diego Senior Games on my big poles with no jumps for six weeks.  Either way I think I will be fine.  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!  Bubba

Heart - "Crazy On You" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gpNqB4dnT4

Moving Along!! Happy Days Ahead!!

My leg is finally not noticeable when I walk, even fast.  Therefore I will try slow sleds and leg lifts tomorrow.  My back is also better but we will see how it feels after training tomorrow.  Wish me luck.  I think I've turned the corner.  If I have I will jump low level a week from tomorrow.  Thanks for your support!  Bubba

General Public - "Tenderness" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmoHQ2DC3zo

Back At It!!

MY body felt very good today.  Surprising to me how much of a loser and slug I feel like for taking two days off.  I needed to do something!!!! I'm back!!  Thanks for being here!  Bubba

Blue Oyster Cult - "Dominance and Submission" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-CFPG1_pnU  This song title is SO about masters training.  You build up this awesome momentum where you feel dominant, and then one little ding brings you crashing back to submission.

Almost!!

I went to the track today and almost ran.  I said that until I could walk normally with no pain at a fast rate that I wouldn't run.  I'm almost there, but not quite there so I didn't.

I went to the gym and got out of the car to go lift legs, bars, etc.  I stopped when I thought about how much better my back is, but it's not quite there.  It's almost there.

So tomorrow and Wednesday I will do my garage lifts and stretches, and by Thursday when it's time from sleds, legs and bars again I will be ready. 

The fact is that I'm so much better that I've never been this happy to be almost OK.  But that is where I am; almost.  Have a great day!  Bubba

Funky Texas band, Bowling for Soup - "Almost" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNbOr0ylYZk

Time to Get Going!!

Yep - how I feel when I can't train - fat, eat too much and agitated,

and that was after ONE day off!

 

I tried to take another day off today because my little back over stretch still isn't quite where I want it.  It didn't completely work as I went down to Laguna, Aliso, Doheney and Capistrano beaches looking for a place to do some soft sand running.  I used to do this in Newport but that's quite the road trip.  Anyway I think the beach between Laguna and Aliso will work the best.  I'm planning on this as a recovery day following my jump days.  At lest my leg didn't hurt to run soft sand!

Sometimes you have to get out of your own way.  I think I lost three days in my recovery by not resting three days.  At least I stopped when I saw that.  Have a great Sunday and thanks for your support!  Bubba

Real Life - "Send Me an Angel" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCHE0Tjw6MA

Day Off!!

I stretched A LOT yesterday and my leg feels much better.  Unfortunately I think I over stretched my back a little, so I will take today off as a precaution.  Sleds, bars and legs tomorrow ... hopefully.  Thanks for your support and have a wonderful Saturday!!  Bubba

Pat Travers - "Crash & Burn" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qc_TxBTKlE