Good day running and at the gym. My first sled pull felt like I had been hit by a truck, buy by my last tempo sprint I was feeling pretty good. Felt very strong in the gym. I really feel I'm getting back in the swing of full training again.
Don called me from Butler Stadium, the site of the Texas Senior Games just to see what the conditions are. Though still 10 days away, we like to know what we're looking at. Don is about to retire from the Houston Police Department after 30+ years of service so he can get on to the property and get the info we need even though the facility is "closed". The groundskeeper said that someone will be out between 7:30 and 8 AM on that day and that they would set up the pit for whatever direction a tailwind is predicted on the Friday before. Surprised and pleased he knew that. If it needs to be changed the day of they will have people to help.
A note on Butler Stadium, I got my first 10' (3.05m) vault there as well as my 2nd 16' 6" (5.04m) vault several years later.
Not Worthy?
At the gym today I see some of the regulars, mostly 40-70 years old grinding away like they always do. It dawned on me today that I've tried to do what they do and I failed. I could not make myself workout at that level with any kind of consistency unless I had a goal. Yet here they are, doing it to look and feel better. I really admire them and wish I was that strong.
Have a great day and thanks for the support! Bubba
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Travel Day + Answer to Pole ? & Blow Thru
LATE ADD VIDEO AT BOTTOM
My usual Wednesday drive around on business day. I thought I felt pretty good and may even consider vaulting tomorrow ....... then got out of the car and felt how bad my body still feels. Good - it will make me play it safe.
I've gotten several questions about my poles and grips. My competition poles are either 14' 1" or 14' 7" but they look like I'm holding near the top. That's because I cut the tops off of all of them. Reason #1 is because if you clear the bar and your pole hits the bar, it's a miss. I jump with my crossbar back 32" behind the plant box so I have some pretty good forward speed and the pole doesn't always go back toward the runway. I cut them off so they fall under the bar. Reason #2 is so that no one else can use them. These poles are expensive and nobody treats them like you would, especially high school kids. Solves both problems. Have a great day! Bubba
PS - In the 1968 Olympics, John Pennel, the first man to vault 17', got the silver medal but should have gotten the gold. His pole fell under the bar and that used to be a miss. Now it is not.
Pennel was in a meet in Houston when we were kids and tried to become the first man to vault 18'. Though very close he did not get it. Before his last jump my brother, a 7' 6" vaulter, told him that his run didn't look good enough today. When the meet was over and the reporters were asking him questions, he said, "it's like that boy said, my run just wasn't good enough today". A few years later my brother would have the Houston record for freshman and go onto get 2nd at the Texas State meet and later vault 17' 4 1/2" (5.30m).
Here is my 2nd attempt at 13' (3.96m) on my first new 14' 7" (4.45m) pole. BIG blow through as I almost roll off the back of the pit. The next pole was too small too. The run is 65' and the grip is about 13' 3" (4.04m). Not to mention that I'm about 6" (15 cm) out at take off.
My usual Wednesday drive around on business day. I thought I felt pretty good and may even consider vaulting tomorrow ....... then got out of the car and felt how bad my body still feels. Good - it will make me play it safe.
I've gotten several questions about my poles and grips. My competition poles are either 14' 1" or 14' 7" but they look like I'm holding near the top. That's because I cut the tops off of all of them. Reason #1 is because if you clear the bar and your pole hits the bar, it's a miss. I jump with my crossbar back 32" behind the plant box so I have some pretty good forward speed and the pole doesn't always go back toward the runway. I cut them off so they fall under the bar. Reason #2 is so that no one else can use them. These poles are expensive and nobody treats them like you would, especially high school kids. Solves both problems. Have a great day! Bubba
PS - In the 1968 Olympics, John Pennel, the first man to vault 17', got the silver medal but should have gotten the gold. His pole fell under the bar and that used to be a miss. Now it is not.
Pennel was in a meet in Houston when we were kids and tried to become the first man to vault 18'. Though very close he did not get it. Before his last jump my brother, a 7' 6" vaulter, told him that his run didn't look good enough today. When the meet was over and the reporters were asking him questions, he said, "it's like that boy said, my run just wasn't good enough today". A few years later my brother would have the Houston record for freshman and go onto get 2nd at the Texas State meet and later vault 17' 4 1/2" (5.30m).
Here is my 2nd attempt at 13' (3.96m) on my first new 14' 7" (4.45m) pole. BIG blow through as I almost roll off the back of the pit. The next pole was too small too. The run is 65' and the grip is about 13' 3" (4.04m). Not to mention that I'm about 6" (15 cm) out at take off.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Random Thoughts + 1 Year Ago Today - World Masters Games
* When you are away from lifting you really don't mind it. It seems like a nice break. In fact you dread starting back because you know you will be sore. But if you stay away more than two weeks you will start to lose power on the runway. It is very rare if I am ever out longer than about 10 days. That said, yesterday and today were my first days back to lifting and I can't believe how much I missed it. My breaks typically come when I back off the week before a meet, if my travel schedule becomes briefly unmanageable, or if I'm trying to vault more often. Anyway I'm back.
* With Texas Senior Games a week from Sunday, I'm going to just stick to my base training and not vault before the meet. I find that if I skip the vault when I am in this phase of my ramp up that I will feel more powerful and fast within two weeks. If I jump also I feel good but not quite as sharp. So I'll go with my gut an not vault.
* Speaking of jumping in practice, after the Texas Senior Games I have four weeks to train before I have a series of six meets where there are only two weeks between each of them. I probably will not be jumping between any of them so that means I have four weeks to get comfortable on my 14' 7" (4.45m) poles. Really looking forward to that. Hopefully it goes well and I will use them the rest of the year. If not I'll need a few bigger 14' 1" (4.30m) poles. Hear that Kris? I traded poles to get the 14' 7" series so it didn't actually cost me the $450 each for the eight poles in that series. But my gut tells me that I will be glad I stuck it out and made them work.
* I've not mentioned anything about it but I've been jumping at about 167-168 whereas last year I was about 171-173. I seem to be getting more out of my poles and still feel powerful. Many vaulters like to train a few pounds heavier than they compete in order to feel that extra snap. It can work but sometimes you could feel weaker than you should. That happened to me once and that was enough. Wasn't a big meet but it sucked to lose a meet for being stupid. On the flip side if you're light and come in heavy you feel sluggish. I'm really not concerned one way or the other as I have jumped 4m (13' 1 1/2") as heavy as 179. I just find it interesting that I seem to have settled out a little lighter than last year for whatever reason. It certainly is not an attempt to do so. OK, I told you these were random thoughts.
* The M55-59 state record at the Texas Senior Games is 3.97m (13' 1/4") which I vaulted in 2008. I was in Australia last year, but more on that in a minute. I'm hoping for 4m+ and then progress to 4.07m (13' 4 1/4") and then maybe even 4.14m (13' 7"). That's the bar progression I will be shooting for. I took out the first two 14' 7"s yesterday and put in my biggest 14' 1"s. I'm very familiar with them and comfortable no matter what the conditions. Well, within reason. Rain would not be helpful.
* Response to this blog continues to amaze me. People I have never met or heard of either email me or introduce themselves to me at meets and tell me how the read it every day and how it helps keep them in touch with their own plans. I absolutely love that and really enjoy meeting these vaulters. The first thing they always say is, "I feel like I've known you for a long time". That couldn't be a bigger compliment because I love pole vaulters and will enjoy knowing you for a long time. I have yet to meet one that I don't enjoy being around or being friends with, so thank you so much. NOW, the other side is people I know very well that don't ever read it. I'll have a relative stranger ask me how a certain plan came about but someone I know very well will say, "so have you been working out?" I guess they think since we know each other that we are connected and they would know what I'm doing. As you can see, I certainly have nothing to hide. One friend asked four Facebook friends how I've been jumping lately and he is one of my Facebook friends. Guess he forgot. BTW saw The Social Network today about the founder of Facebook. Very good movie. Anyway, thanks again for following me. This is a great outlet for thinking out loud and I tremendously appreciate your support. Bubba
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY - I called Nancy after a long day to tell her that I had just won the World Masters Games in Sydney, Australia and then went out to dinner with Alan Launder and his wife Jenny. Six hours later Nancy's mom, June had a stroke in the car on the way home from her doctor appointment which cleared her to go to Maine. She died three months and one day later. I was crushed and would have gladly traded my medal for her not to suffer.
When I went to see her in the hospital she was groggy but hugged me and clearly said, "World Champion". The next time she said something that clearly was when we brought her home and she met our new dog, Tuffy. We got Tuffy because my sister's husband committed suicide in their garage and he was his dog. June got a big smile and said, "cute". He jumped up on the bed with her and would not leave. She died about 2 AM the next morning under hospice care.
I'm am a better person and so grateful to have had her live with us for her last six years. We brought her down from Cleveland because we feared she would die alone within a year. It worked well for all of us.
Alan just had another heart issue, got a new stent and pacemaker and is home again after another scare. So the past year we have certainly seen tragedy but as always we remain hopeful and do the best we can with what we can control. Makes a blog about a pole vaulting fossil seem pretty silly but it's one of the very things that has gotten me through this year. So thank you again!! Let's all make next year a better one.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Upon Further Review
After studying the video of my attempts at 13' (3.96m) yesterday, the 14' 7" (4.45m) poles were clearly too small as I expected. What I didn't expect was that on one jump I was "out" on my take off 6+" (15 cm) and the last one was 8+" (20 cm) yet still blew the pole away. The one where my step was "on", I bailed mid extension because I thought I was going off of the back of the pit. When your biggest poles are too small in your first meet, that's usually a decent sign. That training stuff must work I guess.
I haven't heard back from Kris yet but I think we're going to drop the 14' 7" (4.45m) poles out until after the Texas Senior Games on 10/24, now less than two weeks away. Instead I'll use my two biggest 14' 1" (4.30m) poles for that meet and then afterwards I will probably ONLY jump on the 14' 7" poles. Our plan originally was to have my first two smallest 14' 7"s match up to my to biggest 14' 1" poles so that I wouldn't have to switch lengths in a meet. I think that is probably going to work awesome.
Speaking of Kris, he jumped really well yesterday but in an odd landing accident with the crossbar he got whacked on the bridge of the nose while laying in the pit after a miss. The bar was falling and he had his hands up to catch it, then his pole hit the bar and knocked it out of line and BAM. The situation was made a little worse because because the bar hit his sunglasses. That said, 15 minutes later, after cleaning up the blood and icing his nose, he took a really nice attempt. STUD!!
Another cool story from yesterday was my friend Larry Bonnett. He had seen me at the San Marcos River Vault this summer and told me that this blog was inspiring him to get off of his butt and get training again. Yesterday was his first day back out and it was a big one as I think he tied his best he has jumped since he entered his age group. Very neat to see him have that success.
Today was back in the gym for me which felt outstanding. Well actually it feels like crap but the inner feeling to get going again and be on a schedule is just fantastic. I'm not sure I will jump again before Texas Senior Games but if I do it will be on my small 14' 1" poles on Sunday. We will play it by ear but I don't feel compelled to do it. I think it's more important that I feel good and powerful. Unfortunately when you haven't been doing full training and return to it you feel a little more flat than usual so I may just wait for the meet to jump. We will see but you will be the 2nd to know.
Thanks so much for being here. Of course we know that I have been training hard for the past several months even though I haven't jumped in a meet. BUT recently I've had a few people say, "I heard you took the outdoor season off. How long do you think it will take you to feel like you're in shape to jump high again?" HUH? Just because I didn't compete doesn't mean I wasn't training hard. Yesterday I was on the biggest poles that I have jumped on since 1999 and they were too small yet I was only at 12 steps. I think there is a lot more in the tank but I need to learn this new quicker timing on the longer poles without losing hand pressure. Looking forward to the challenge. Thanks again! Bubba
I haven't heard back from Kris yet but I think we're going to drop the 14' 7" (4.45m) poles out until after the Texas Senior Games on 10/24, now less than two weeks away. Instead I'll use my two biggest 14' 1" (4.30m) poles for that meet and then afterwards I will probably ONLY jump on the 14' 7" poles. Our plan originally was to have my first two smallest 14' 7"s match up to my to biggest 14' 1" poles so that I wouldn't have to switch lengths in a meet. I think that is probably going to work awesome.
Speaking of Kris, he jumped really well yesterday but in an odd landing accident with the crossbar he got whacked on the bridge of the nose while laying in the pit after a miss. The bar was falling and he had his hands up to catch it, then his pole hit the bar and knocked it out of line and BAM. The situation was made a little worse because because the bar hit his sunglasses. That said, 15 minutes later, after cleaning up the blood and icing his nose, he took a really nice attempt. STUD!!
Another cool story from yesterday was my friend Larry Bonnett. He had seen me at the San Marcos River Vault this summer and told me that this blog was inspiring him to get off of his butt and get training again. Yesterday was his first day back out and it was a big one as I think he tied his best he has jumped since he entered his age group. Very neat to see him have that success.
Today was back in the gym for me which felt outstanding. Well actually it feels like crap but the inner feeling to get going again and be on a schedule is just fantastic. I'm not sure I will jump again before Texas Senior Games but if I do it will be on my small 14' 1" poles on Sunday. We will play it by ear but I don't feel compelled to do it. I think it's more important that I feel good and powerful. Unfortunately when you haven't been doing full training and return to it you feel a little more flat than usual so I may just wait for the meet to jump. We will see but you will be the 2nd to know.
Thanks so much for being here. Of course we know that I have been training hard for the past several months even though I haven't jumped in a meet. BUT recently I've had a few people say, "I heard you took the outdoor season off. How long do you think it will take you to feel like you're in shape to jump high again?" HUH? Just because I didn't compete doesn't mean I wasn't training hard. Yesterday I was on the biggest poles that I have jumped on since 1999 and they were too small yet I was only at 12 steps. I think there is a lot more in the tank but I need to learn this new quicker timing on the longer poles without losing hand pressure. Looking forward to the challenge. Thanks again! Bubba
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Long Strange Day
So I haven't jumped in a meet since late March at indoor nationals in Boston and sometimes it felt like it, and other times not. I put up a couple of videos here but the long story is that I boomed 12' (3.66m) from 54' on my first carbon pole. It was warm and we had a nice tailwind. Made 12' 6" (3.81m) on my first and then moved to my new 14' 7" poles from 65' for 13' (3.96m). The result? BOTH were way too small and they were the biggest poles I brought. Fortunately I have six more. All Essx of course.
I was disappointed not to jump higher because I easily could have made 13' on my start pole. I figured it was a nice day so why not move back a stride and hit the 14' 7" poles. Nobody home as they moved too fast for me to really complete a decent jump. The timing is a little different but not going to be a real factor. So I'm happy that I jumped well with what I had, and that I got on the two biggest poles I have used since 1999. Still, plenty of work to do. Have a great day. Bubba
I was disappointed not to jump higher because I easily could have made 13' on my start pole. I figured it was a nice day so why not move back a stride and hit the 14' 7" poles. Nobody home as they moved too fast for me to really complete a decent jump. The timing is a little different but not going to be a real factor. So I'm happy that I jumped well with what I had, and that I got on the two biggest poles I have used since 1999. Still, plenty of work to do. Have a great day. Bubba
12' or 3.66m - YouTube link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYiCRgAnZAA
12' 6" or 3.81m - YouTube link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdIiGBz-bfw
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Home Today - Meet Tomorrow
Appropriately our meet tomorrow is called "It's Not All About Football Track Meet". In Texas it is but that's a fun name. Going to download CBS Pro Football from the App Store so I can keep up with the Texans and other NFL scores.
They settled on three flights tomorrow. Group 1 starts at under 8' (8 vaulters), Group 2 starts at 8' (8 vaulters), and my group starts at 11' (11 vaulters). I'll start at 12' (3.66m) as usual and see how everything feels. Should get some photos and video no matter how ugly the first meet is.
I went to pick up the poles today and nothing says road trip more than throwing them up on the rack and strapping them on. Should be fun but I'll need some more sleep. This morning's wake up call in Maine was at 4:15 (3:15 Texas time) and I pick up Don at 6 AM. Looking forward to having some fun and remembering why I'm training. First meet since the end of March. More later. Thanks for being here. Bubba
They settled on three flights tomorrow. Group 1 starts at under 8' (8 vaulters), Group 2 starts at 8' (8 vaulters), and my group starts at 11' (11 vaulters). I'll start at 12' (3.66m) as usual and see how everything feels. Should get some photos and video no matter how ugly the first meet is.
I went to pick up the poles today and nothing says road trip more than throwing them up on the rack and strapping them on. Should be fun but I'll need some more sleep. This morning's wake up call in Maine was at 4:15 (3:15 Texas time) and I pick up Don at 6 AM. Looking forward to having some fun and remembering why I'm training. First meet since the end of March. More later. Thanks for being here. Bubba
Friday, October 8, 2010
Waiting to Leave
Don took this picture of the Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Resort. Click to enlarge.We will leave the house about 10 this morning and head to Portland where we will spend the day before our 7 AM flight on Saturday. Portland is a very small airport so security takes forever unless you go real early. Also when you spend most of the day in transit to and from airports and up in the air, I'd rather do it first thing in the morning. I meet Don at 5 AM Sunday to head to our meet so it's even more important to get in early and get some rest. Not to mention that I need to go and load up the poles.
It's been a nice getaway and we've seen a lot of family and friends. Last night was the first night that Nancy and I had alone and it felt strange. That in itself is strange because almost every other trip we do it is just the two of us, so this trip is the exception.
We have done more traveling this year, in part, because we lost Nancy's mom, June, in January. June lived with us and therefore we never went anywhere unless she could go too. I hope that when/if I'm 93 I can and will do half of the stuff she did. Great lady and a joy to be around. It was tough for Nancy and her brother at times being here without her for the first time but they pulled together and made it work.
I personally can't wait to get home and get back into training. Sure I have been training but I mean a dependable schedule of training instead of the constant adjustments I've had to make for a constantly changing schedule.
The meet schedule looks pretty good so far with 9 meets before I take a break and ramp up again for the big summer championship series;
10/10 - Waterloo near Austin
10/24 - Texas Senior Games - Houston
INDOORS
11/20 - Lone Star PV Age Graded Meet - New Braunfels
12/4 - Lone Star Season Opener (2011 marks begin counting on 12/1)
12/18 - Alitus Seasons Greeter - Granbury (near Dallas)
1/1 - Texas Elite PV Explosion - Belton - (near Austin)
1/15 - Texas Round Up & Corral - Joshua - (near Dallas)
1/29 - National Pole Vault Summit - Reno
3/5 - USA Track & Field Masters Indoor Nationals - Albuquerque
Finally, our thoughts and prayers are with our friend, Alan Launder and his family as he has just arrived back home after further heart procedures. I met Alan at the 1996 Olympics when he was having trouble getting into watch Simon Arkell at practice because he was a "Private Coach" and not the "Country Coach". I got him in as my guest and we have been friends ever since. Coincidentally that is also the day that we saw Sergey Bubka attempt 20' 8" (6.30m) over a bungee 6-8 times. All the best Alan and Jenny.
Have a great day and I will catch up with you soon. Thanks for being here!! Bubba
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