From Half Assed to Assed

OK - I ended this morning's practice feeling like crap. A full effort but a half assed result. Why? I'm pretty much all healed so therefore my lack of running conditioning jumped on my back severely making me stop with two sprint drills (big pole + ankle weights) and 4 X 50 sled/hills left. Granted I was able to run considerably faster and felt much more powerful, but when that energy drain started I turned to mush.

I did all of my big pole drops and did box take offs into a 50 lb REAL plant box on the dirt. You hit that wrong and you're flat on your back. That said, I was somewhat dizzy, nauseous and out of breath. I felt as much like a wimp as I have in months and I went home super discouraged.

I went to lunch and drank about a gallon of iced tea and then made a decision that would prove either stupid or brilliant; I decided to go back out and vault. HUH? Dumbass!!! My reasoning was that I can jump on a tiny pole at two weeks after a hamstring strain and I've had four weeks since this inside leg strain. My goal this morning was only to take off from 2, 4 and 6 steps anyway so what could it hurt. I could either do it or I couldn't.  Besides, I had found a quarter and three "pennies from heaven" right under my feet when I opened the car door at the track.

I could. I blew through a few poles and ended up making 11' (3.35M) jogging in from only 6 steps from 31' (9.7m). Though my legs were dead from this morning's efforts, I felt nothing in the way of pain or injury in any part of my body. My technique was very good considering I haven't vaulted in two months, a result of tons of plant drills and lots of bar work. Thrilled about that. I've turned the corner and I'm ready to go.

I'll do nothing this week but stretch, bars and jump, getting three vault days in seven. Tuesday I will try and get through my 4m/13' 1" poles and Saturday I'll get through my 4.30m/14' 1" poles. That will give me a two week ramp up to my meet on 5/28 in Coppell near Dallas/Fort Worth.

I HATED the "half assed part" of the day but will settle for the "assed" part. Have a great day and thanks for your support. Bubba

PS - So this in my mind is day one to the march up and as Republica says, "Shout it from the rooftops, baby I'm ready to go!!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgffRW1fKDk  I used to play this right before I went on to the filed at big meets.  Now it's ACDC "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)" - a salute to all of us who have trained our asses off to be there - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ0zP3U_iE0&feature=related

Rest Day for This Cat

Lazy day as I want to try and do all of my sprint, pole and plant drills tomorrow.  If that goes well I will do 2 4, and 6 step take offs.  The bottom line is that I need to be totally fresh for this in order to lessen the chance or reinjury.  That said, I need to keep my effort super low and just get through it.  If I do I should be home free providing I do nothing else dumb.  Hopefully I don't find out tomorrow that THIS is a dumb plan.  But for right now I'll just be a lazy cat.  Have a great day!  Bubba

In the Dark

Yep - made a calculated guess that really is just a shot in the dark.  OR, it could fall under me being protected from me.  So today I'm late for the gym because a handyman is at the house.  Then on the way to the gym I have errands and then a phone call with Don about his jumping yesterday.  During this conversation I say that Saturday I am going to do some pole drills, slide box take offs, and maybe even a little 2,4,6 take offs on my real poles. 

About that time I see Nancy walking behind my car on the way into the gym.  She usually comes after I have started my cardio and does some bike of her own.  Right then I decided that I would not do cardio or bars, and that instead of my normal lifting I would do only one set of 6 but at a much heavier weight.  Not only that I would only do half the exercises.  

I'll lift tomorrow as usual but today is the day that drains my legs. The hope is I feel really good and mostly healed by Saturday. Of course I should be since its been four weeks. This type of testing needs to be done totally fresh so I feel instinctively this is the right decision for today.

It's really been bothering me that I will be going to a meet three weeks from Saturday yet I have not left the ground since March 5, in Albuquerque.  This will help me to "engage the pole" again in a low risk manner.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Bubba

Turner Stadium - Site of National Senior Games

Turner Stadium - Humble, Texas

Site of National Senior Games

After it's $17 million renovation

Pole vault runs direct north/south = tailwinds

It will be hot but at least there is seating.

The pit is outside of the stadium but near concessions and bathroom.

On this day, the bar had to be held on in the big tailwind!

Mind vs. Body

I'm in a very odd place right now.  When I went out to run this morning I felt powerful as a bull and as graceful as a gazelle.  The reality is that I am aging, and almost 58 year old athlete trying to get and hold my body together for a couple of very big shows.  It's a constant battle right now to temper this new body with the fact that I am still technically rehabbing the inside of my leg.  I get ready to pick up the pace on one of my 10 X 100m runs and there it is - not a pain but a little tiny tightness that at first whispers, "remember me?"  If I ignore it I will again be reminded to back off as it speaks; "I will STOP you NOW and your healing clock will begin again and you don't have the luxury of that kind of time".  Then it let me run 10 X 50m sleds at 50% feeling nothing.  I don't get it but I listen.

I saw the Matt Lauer interview with Steven Tyler of Aersosmith and his new book is called, "Do the Voices in My Head Bother You?"  So as a tribute to the voices in his head and mine, I offer one of my favorite and most meaningful Aerosmith songs ever, Dream On, which I also just learned on guitar - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Qd9VR1gD8

And as a salute to my infuriating mind vs. body battle, I offer Metallica's Sad But True.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8MO7fkZc5o

All songs I suggest come up on my MP3 during training the day I post them.  Have a great day!  Bubba

HARD Day!!

Not to take anything away from Chad's cat yesterday, but here is my guitar set up.  Been playing six months so I'm still very much a beginner.  I have one in different rooms for different types of practice whether it be online lessons, DVD, or memory.  Fender Strat Squier, Ibanez Prestige and Schecter Hellraiser.  Click to enlarge.

It's to be expected when I come into the short rest rotation of my weekly cycle yet don;t drop the weights but that's how you make progress.  SUCKED but in a good way.  Able to challenge myself and my focus when I wanted to quit or drop the weight.  Still had the patience to take my time in my stretches. These are all small victories.

I listen to a wide variety of music when I lift so I'm going to start posting links to some.  AGAIN, though on shuffle, Robert Palmer's Simply Irresistible came up.  Sorry he died at only 52.  A great talent.  have a great day!  Bubba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrGw_cOgwa8

Rocking Through Another Workout

As you know, I began playing guitar six months ago. Apparently, 2000 Olympian, Chad Harting's cat did too. Rock on!!

Today was another good day in the gym.  My fitness level is rising so the intensity is too.  Certainly it's physically taxing but it is also draining on the mind which is good for mental conditioning.  As I do the stairs or bike I try not to look at the time remaining (12 minutes each) but rather try and focus on each individual step or pedal while allowing myself to be distracted by music or ESPN.  Whatever gets you through.  I'm trying to learn to love the things I hate.  The benfit has already proven worth the effort.

Seven weeks from tomorrow is my day at the National Senior Games.  Plenty of time to get where I need to get.  I don't have time to get hurt and recover but plenty of time if I stay well; and I will. Three weeks and two days later is my day at the World Masters Championships.  Again, stay focused on the little details daily, don't look ahead, and stay patient.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Bubba