Road Day 2

Can't wait for tomorrow so that maybe I can feel like a pole vaulter again! Bubba

On the Road Again

I'm out today and tomorrow on business but my body feels really good. I'll give everything a shot on Thursday AM. Bubba

Somewhere Among the Theories is Truth

OK, so I didn't skip the full rotation as I went out and lifted and did sprint drills today. As fast as the groin issue creeped in, it has almost entirely left. This is typical when your body gets a shock it's not quite used to. I can remember working with several athletes who made physical or technical level changes that injured them until they learned how to operate with their new bodies.

Since my little hamstring ding I've spent four weeks in deep training of sled, changed my stretching for the better and got back to some massage. All of these things have loosened my body so that I can move more quickly and powerfully. Sometimes when that happens you have to take a little more time to ease up to the new intensity level allowed.

That said, I also have upped all of my bars and when you do some of the concentrated lower ab things, it can flare the area where I had my hernia surgeries. This feels very much like a groin strain. In all cases you back off and ramp back up being a little bit more comfortable.

With all of this said, I should be on schedule for full training on Thursday, so I'm very happy about that. Have a great day! Bubba

Skip a Rotation

The inside left groin is better but still too tender to torutre it today so I'll skip the next two day rotation and pick it up Thursday. Not a big deal but I need to keep it from becoming one. Feels more like a stabilizer than and true groin strain. Strains don't get 50% better in one day. Started feeling like Nancy was giving me my cold back last night so that was the final determining factor to assure the skip.

I was planning on jumping from 8 steps on my 14' 1" (4.30m) poles at my meet in two weeks, but to be safe I'll go from 6 steps on my 13' 1" (4m) poles. It should be fun and comfortable. After that I'll move up to the next level and run to get ready for the Texas Senior Games on 10/24. That is the qualifying meet for next year's National Senior Games to be held here in Houston next June. I just need to be in the top five so I should be safe.

Hope you have a great Sunday and thanks for hanging out with me. I made a decison that I would condition my body to train and compete at a higher level. It's a balancing act and I will have dings, but I'm getting much better and predicting, avoiding and managing them. Bubba

Back Home

Yesterday I jogged down the hall to get ice at maybe 10-15% and felt nothing. During the night my left groin, which has never been hurt, feels strained. This reminds me of when I did the same in Alaska and my hip/glute really flared up. Two days later I didn't feel it at all. I'm pretty much guessing that's what will happen here. Of course why would that be a surprise when I have done absolutely nothing since last Sunday. I was sick, it rained and then I left town. These things happen but I'm not going to worry about it. We'll see tomorrow morning. Meet in two weeks so I won't push it since I'm in good shape.

Nancy asked if I'm sure I wanted to post this because it always sounds like I'm hurt. OF COURSE I do because I promised from day one that I would put everything out there; the good, bad and the ugly. More tomorrow. Need some sleep. Nancy got my cold and coughed all of last night, right up until our 3:15 AM wake up call. NEITHER of us slept but at least were home. Bubba

PS - it was 56 this morning in San Francisco and 96 when I arrived home. It made the AC in the house feel too cold. What a difference a couple of days make.

Great work day yesterday here in San Francisco so we did a little sightseeing today. Head home in the early AM and will be back to vaulting on Sunday morning. Here are a few photos that you can click to enlarge. Have a great Friday evening. Bubba

The Ferry Building from our hotel window at the Hyatt. Strangely the best view was at the end of the hall by the ice machine. That's the Bay Bridge to Oakland. We always try to do this "self portrait" where I take the picture of us left handed. The city skyline is just above the fog. Photo taken from the Marin side of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Fog rolls in on the Golden Gate Bridge.

View down California Street from inside the cable car. That's the Bay Bridge in the middle.

Who says work can't be fun?

Feeling Better

Not near perfect but at least I can exist. Heading out to my regular Wednesday road trip and then off to San Francisco on business for two days tomorrow. Will jump Sunday as scheduled. Have a great day! Bubba

Late Update - 30 minutes out I felt sick to my stomach and came home.