Last Workout

Today I was in Beverly Hills most of the day on business, got back for a late lunch and then went to run my 5 X 50m bleacher ramps.  I felt very good so I backed off on the last two.  I'll do a long stretch in the AM and then hit the road.  I have a meeting in Santa Monica at noon and then I'm off.

Daylight Savings time is Saturday night and we jump Sunday morning at 8.  Should be about 45 degrees when we warm up.  I'm hoping they have some other pits out that I can warm up on closer to the time that I jump.  I put my two 14' 1" (4.30m) poles back in my bag to start on so that should work.

I'll be short tonight as I'm having some compute issues I need to fix before I go.  have a great evening and thanks for your support!  Bubba

Consistency On the Easy Stuff!!

Too many times we find ourselves embracing the grind yet ignoring the easy stuff like stretching and active rest.  My lifts have been heavier but shorter this week and I feel pretty strong and reasonably fast. I'm starting to feel like I will feel good on Sunday, and since this is only Tuesday, that's a good sign.  Since my next meet is either late April or June 2, I'd like to have a decent day Sunday.  Hopefully it won't rain, though I know it will be colder.

Today I went through all of my stretches etc., things I sometimes really just want to skip.  I can't risk being tight or not fluid in my running, especially since there will be a drive broken up over three days.  I've got to be accountable to my active rest and stretching on the road, especially my eating. I feel I will be OK as long as I am aware of it today.  Fear is a big motivator and I can't see myself being physically and mentally ready and then taking shortcuts on the final days.  Oh well, that's what's on my mind; take care of the details and don't screw up.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Bubba

Smashing Pumpkins - "Bullet With Butterfly Wings".  BTW - I only HEAR the songs when I train so the videos many times surprise me.  But it's the music that drives my training.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-r-V0uK4u0&feature=related

Jumping Levels

Everything in life is about levels.  Motivational speaker, Tony Robbins says that a plane on the way to Hawaii is off course 99% of the time but still gets there because of thousands of small adjustments.  In my case I never really know the exact end goal, other than to better myself. 

My business is certainly making another giant level change while eating away at anything resembling free time. That said I'm taking pride in getting my workouts done as well as working with the kids at Dana Hills High School.  These activities feel like quite the refuge from the insanity of growing a national company. 

I'm really spending a lot of time figuring the best way to get to the next level physically for jumping.  I know I'm on track but do I need adjustments?  I think I will know more after Sunday.  Have a great day and thanks for your support!  Bubba

RIP Ronnie Montrose, who died Saturday at age 64 of prostate cancer - "Space Station #5" with Sammy Hagar singing.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6BTTJo1KmM

Things Are Looking Up?!

I went out for my first vault session at Dana Hills High School this morning, fully expecting to be out eight weeks.  I felt like I dinged my groin thing doing lunges this week and was afraid of a complete setback.  I didn't feel anything when I was lifting but later it kind of ached and hurt like it did a month before Reno.  DANGIT!!  I didn't feel it running my stadium ramps yesterday but felt it when I made lateral moves before and afterward.  Not a good sign.

As I expected I needed to get out and shake my body up a little bit and TRY and get a few jumps in until a flare came and stopped me.  Well, that's what I expected. In fact, I didn't even think I would get far enough along to bother bringing out a crossbar.  Then came the surprise.  Granted I did not feel horrible but I didn't feel good either but the result was encouraging. I completed nine vaults from four steps (22') clearing 9' 6" - 11'.  I took five jumps at 11' (3.35m) just because I wasn't quite tired enough yet and I only brought but one pole. 

Near the end my body was starting to feel a little beat up so I stopped and finished the remaining five stadium ramps from yesterday.  SO, I will not be a tourist next week and will actually vault in the meet. In addition, I found if I put my take off foot down under me, like I am supposed to, instead of blocking, that my knee didn't hurt.  I hurt now but I'm not really injured in any way I don't think.  I've pushed my luck enough for today and relieved to say the least.  Have a great Sunday and thanks for being here!  Bubba

GFR - "Inside Looking Out" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXegeGA61o0  A great grind away song for running bleacher ramps.

Sometimes I Want to YELL!!

I went out to run today and to see if I felt I needed to do a little jumping.  I ran five bleacher ramps and felt I should try some low level jumps to get the kinks out.  I did not bring any of my poles because I didn't know if there would be an event using the field.  There was not.  The school has a ton of poles but their 13' 1" (4m) poles were too small for me.  I decided I will wait and go back tomorrow morning and take my smallest pole and get a few jumps in and do another 5 X bleacher ramps.

PAIN - the outside of my right foot is flared a little again and it may be from the bleacher ramps.  Now what?  Don't know. 

I need to jump because I get a flare in my right lower ab when I have done too much bar work and not enough jumping.  It flares quickly and I have to stop, but it doesn't come back until I have another long period of hard training and not jumping. It doesn't always happen but right now it feels it could and that can't be next Sunday at my big meet. 

Also, I need to flare my knee up a little so the doc can shoot the right spot.  Right now it doesn't hurt but I need it to a little so I can pinpoint the hottest spots for my cortisone injection.  WHATEVER IT TAKES!  Have a great day! Bubba

From Sixx AM (Motley Crue bassist, Nikki Sixx) - This is Going to Hurt - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5G1D9XO_C4 - That says it all for this week, but when it's over, it won't.

Fly Away? Or Not?

My friend and USA National Champion, Mark Hollis above the bar and the crowd

at the Mall Vault / Drake Relays.

Had a nice garage lift today and it made me wonder if I should try an easy little jump session tomorrow.  I'm thinking it might get me moving around a little to shake the kinks out, as well as flare up my knee a little so I can find the place to get it shot on Wednesday.  I'll play it by ear when I get out there to run tomorrow.

Tonight was Dana Hills High School's Intrasquad meet (Blue/White) so I helped out on one pit and Julie helped on the other one.  Since the coach and guy who used to vault there, Steven, was at work, I got to get to know the kids a little better.  Overall I was really impressed by what they have taught as all kids had really good fundamental mechanics.  Not that I'm surprised but that it is pleasant to see.  A really fun night. 

I'll report back tomorrow and we will see what we shall see.  I think physically I can do this but I have to weight if it is smart.  Right now I'm leaning toward it. Have a great evening and thanks for being here!  Bubba

Lenny Kravitz', "Fly Away" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvuL5jyCHOw

Start the Fire - AGAIN!!

As a guy who has always worked for himself, I have had the ability to juggle my schedule somewhat so that I can make time to workout.  Of course there are busy times and travel times that this is impossible.  I'm sure it is no surprise that I am as accountable or more to myself for work so there is a constant struggle going on to get both done.  Needless to say work takes the front seat. 

Because of this I have had two days off.  I HATE that because it is so hard to get started again.  I remember reading about Lance Armstrong during the Tour de France where he said he loves yet hates the day off.  Your body and mind need it but you feel so bad trying to get back in the groove the day after the rest.  Mentally and physically it is just so hard to restart after one day, so two days is even more miserable.  I can't imagine a month or so.

All of this said I got a good gym lift and also got to the track to get my 10 X 50m stadium ramps done.  It felt good to be out there but DANGIT I find it so hard to get out of the door.  Glad it's done.  I will train every day through Tuesday and then break for work and the drive up the coast to the Bay Area for the California Senior Games.  Have a great day and thanks for being here.  Glad I made it!  Bubba

Billy Joel's, "We Didn't Start the Fire" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTLKWw542g&ob=av2e