?????????

After another long week of travel and then bad weather yesterday, I postponed my jumping until today.  Because of that I'll try and go again Monday on my smaller poles.

Today was weird.  I did some easy running yesterday so I wouldn't be so flat on the runway, and that seemed to have worked.  I felt OK but was naturally tentative just to be careful with my legs.  I started on my 4m/13'1" poles.  With my weight down to 160 I couldn't get in on the first one from 3 lefts/6 steps.  Maybe if I tried to run harder I could but I didn't want to risk it. 

I spent the day feeling reasonably well but missing my timing somewhat.  Just need more experience on the poles.  Of course how stupid is that since I jumped on the 4.15m/13'7" poles in Reno? I should have taken 1-2 more jumps without a bar to feel the pole roll.  I will do that next time.

Long story short, if your run moves back, and you move up poles but you can only jump the same height as you did from the closer weaker poles, you failed to carry over what has been practiced.  Hoping to correct that next time.  Have a great Saturday!  Bubba

The The - "Uncertain Smile" - because I'm so uncertain about today.  Felt OK but below average results. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb7_pOu4kuc

More Practice!!

Bringing on the heat!!

 

After a big meet I usually ramp back up to lifting, running, bars, vaulting, etc.  For some reason today I felt good enough to just start where I left off.  All components felt good at the level as I was when I took my break for Reno.  Amazing!  I'll accept the good fortune and move on.

The objective now is to try and get two jump days per week.  On jump day one I'll start using my 4m/13'1" pole series, and on day two I'll go down to my 12'4"s.  My run will start to move back as needed to get on to the next pole.

With jumping as my priority I hope to be able to get 50 jump days in this year before worlds.  I bet I had 15-20 jump days all last year.  The key is to stay within myself.  Bigger poles take longer runs so I'll probably not see hardly any 2 left/4 steps jumps again this year unless I just blow away my first 12'4".  Good plan so we will see how it goes.  Have a great day and thanks for your support.  Bubba

Metallica - "Fuel" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1cjHbXdU0s

Practice!!

My winning jump from Reno - 11'6"/3.51m

 

I did nothing this entire week while I was on the road for business.  NOTHING!!  I was trying to get well, plus just had no time.  I always schedule something away the week after a big meet because I'm too beat up to train.  I took some nice jumps on a small pole from 3 lefts until the headwind go to be too much!  Good to be back and still not hurt.  This is 10'6"/3.20m from 3 lefts/6 steps.  Have a great day! Bubba

I heard this today for the first time in years.  Edwyn Collins - "A Girl Like You" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rqCJdutB8I

National Pole Vault Summit!!

I have the flu and it sucks.  Because of this I was a stride back and down two poles just to survive.  I won my pit at 11'6" and stopped.  Sick all day today but no injuries.  Small victory.  Thanks for your support!  Bubba

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

Last Training Day!!

Had a good sled and stretch day.  That's it as far as training for Reno.  Anything more and I risk being stiff or flat.  Of course I will still stretch every day, but the hard stuff is done and I'm not injured!  Yahoo!!  Have a great day! Bubba

Great training song came on during sleds today - Metallica - "No Remorse" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPA2rEsIgSU

Rat Race!!

I was in Florida on business until Thursday morning so it was a nice phase break in the build up to Reno.  Ran sleds hard Friday, lifted legs hard yesterday and upper this morning.  Last sled day tomorrow and I'm ready.  I'll still stretch every day but that's a given.

I leave for Reno Thursday morning and jump Friday at 5:30.  All of our kids jump Saturday and then home Sunday.  Because I'm so beat up after big meets, I usually schedule a vacation or business travel the weeks after.  The week after Reno is Phoenix, Houston and NYC, home Friday.

I'll jump on my 13'7s/4.15m poles in Reno though I have not looked at them since I jumped in Grand Haven, Michigan in July.  We shall see.  Believe it or not that feels like a conservative plan as I am tempted to take my 14'1"s.  The goal is quality jumps and don't get hurt.  Thanks for checking in on me.  I don't always have time to post from the road.  have a great Sunday!  Bubba

Legs Diamond - "Rat Race" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaRzf1ymVqk

Breakthrough?!

I didn't lift or run after I jumped on Thursday, partly because I felt a bit like crap, but partly because I wanted to see how I would do today in a meet situation. 

On my 12'4"/3.75m poles I jumped 10' 1/2", 10'6 1/2", and 11' 1/2" all on first jumps from three lefts/six steps.  Moved back to 4/8 and up to my 170 and made 12' 1/2" on my 3rd attempt gripping 11'10". 

The first one was a bail out and the 2nd was a wuss out.  The last one I just said screw it and swung my butt off.  Easy clearance for a pole PR and I stopped there unhurt.  No more jumping until Reno.  Have a great Sunday and thanks for checking in!  Bubba

Red Rider - "Lunatic Fringe" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTFVMMCwsss

Moving On!!

Another year and back to the grind.  I find so much comfort here.  I've corrected many people who think that pole vaulting is my life and what I live for.  If that were true I would vault a lot more. ;-)  Don't get me wrong, I WOULD vault a lot more if I could.  But these dings and recovery cause me to embrace the grind so I can jump again.  As I gladly welcome the "death" of 2014, I welcome 2015 prepared in every way.  Have a wonderful day!  Bubba

Pantera - "Cemetery Gates" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVMvART9kb8

Jump Day!!

Today is New Years and we were expecting an unseasonably cold morning of 39, so I decided to wait until 11 AM to jump.  Bad weather and general laziness and work stuff kept me from moving around and stretching much over the past two days, which made me feel pretty stiff and flat. 

That said I took six bar jumps with three good clearances.  The last one was from four strides/8 steps on the pole I dinged my shoulder on in Las Vegas.  Getting back to that pole is a great sign I'm on the right track. 

Nothing hurt so now I focus on getting ready for Reno two weeks from tomorrow.  Hope you had a great day too!!  Thanks for your support as always1  Bubba

Van Halen - "Jump" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKSyYGJHOGA