Putting The Past Behind!!

Every vaulter fears the no height (nh).  Before last Saturday my last and only nh of my career was 1974.  That said, I've always done very well at big meets, so that made me really look deep into what happened in Brazil so I can move forward.  It wasn't the headwind, borrowed poles because mine didn't show up, a shallow box and deathtrap pit.  I was fine with all of that as I easily cleared 4"/10cm higher than the winning jump in warm up, and I'm the furthest thing from a head case.  So what was it?

I went to the bathroom at the wrong time.  Four vaulters had been jumping together for 45 minutes so I asked to go to the bathroom.  At big meets you have to be escorted on and off the field so I had to wait to go and wait to come back.  When I returned there was only one vaulter going and he had his 1st miss with two jumps left.  This means I had about five minutes to get my 60 year old body, which had been sitting for 90 minutes, warmed up enough to jump and it didn't happen.  My first jump I was predictably out.  Jump two I probably overran a bit and my leg kind of buckled at take off.  Jump three I cleared by 2'/60cm and my pole slowly came through and knocked the bar off.  DONE!  Day over.

Usually I would have spent 15-20 minutes getting ready and jump #3 would have been my jump #1.  Because I jump with the standards all of the way back, I cut the tops of all of my poles off so the pole falls underneath the bar and CAN'T knock it off if it comes through behind me.  I didn't have my poles and I didn't warm up properly so that is that.

I WANTED a medal at this meet!!  Sure I won the silver medal in Italy in August at our version of the Olympic Games where 30 sports are contested at the World Masters Games, but this was supposed to be the easier one.  A 10'6"/3.20m jump would have given me a total of four world championship medals on four continents, Africa, Australia, Europe and South America.  I start practice at 12'/3.66m.  It didn't happen, it's done, it's over.  I understand why and it won't happen again.  I needed to address it here so I can move on.  I was ready, healthy and jumping great.  I made a mistake in not being ready to jump when they called my name.  Nuff said.  Thanks for being here!  Bubba

Talking Heads - "Pyscho Killer" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGNOfRzDysw

Life Goes On!!

As I return to my roots blog, I come with eyes wide open from a very long and challenging year.  For the first six months of the year I had weekly business travel yet somehow managed to progress with my vaulting and associated training. I had business expansion and challenges that had me questioning the time I did spend on vaulting. The goal of two medals at two world championships dissolved before my eyes when I failed to clear a height in Brazil. That all said, it's time to move forward. 

 

My most pressing mission is to get 13' indoors and out as only one person in history has presently done this. Since I went without any significant injury for most of the year I don't want to change too much of my training approach. It worked but I was too light. Regaining my muscle mass, more high bar and continued sleds should get me where I need to be. 

 

Jan Johnson told me that 1' can be gained by losing 10 lbs. Of course when he told me this I weighed 180. Dropping from 170 to 160 took me from 13'1" in February to 12'4" by June because I had lost the critical mass to hit big poles. Even though I was still strong I just couldn't move big poles and that became a real problem. My best vault weight my entire career has been 168-171 and that's where I'm heading. It shouldn't be that hard. Resuming my normal lifting patterns will play a big role and I won't be on such a restrictive diet. 

 

It's hard to explain the mental and emotional anguish that goes into shipping poles internationally. They arrived the night before the World Masters Games in Torino and never arrived in Brazil. Because my stated goal is to get an indoor and outdoor 13', which would make me only the 2nd 60 year old in history to accomplish this, I will skip all of the big meets and just go to ones that have good conditions. 

 

Finally, I recommit to you all and this blog. Because of my work schedule, and the depth of explanation needed to explain my plans, I failed you and me with very short blog entries. I'm going back to taking the time to let you know what I am planning, thinking and why. I owe that to you and me. So welcome back! Let's get to work! Bubba

 

My next big international meet is plan to attend at this moment is the World Masters Athletic Championships in Perth, Australia in 2016, though I may consider Lyon, France in 2014. Here is a great song for that goal by some men from down under. - Men at Work - http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x102uc_men-at-work-land-down-under_music

Going Underground!!

I've made a decision that I'm going underground with my blog as of Monday.  I have two major championships next year and more than a few people have told me I need to stop posting the details of my training, progress and/or lack of.  I'm not clear on the details yet except that it will be up by Sunday night and this one will stop.  I have a lot of new things that are underway and my insights on what's going on need to be kept private.

Invitation Only!!

If you are a reader or follower of this blog and would like to continue on this journey with me, please email me at polevaulter@msn.com and I will give you the new link.  I can't think of anyone I would refuse, especially my vaulting buddies, Kirk, Dan, etc.  I'll explain my reasoning on the new blog.  Have a great day and thanks for your support!  Bubba

Jeff Beck's, "I'm Going Down" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmzv5xJ4wE4

New Box!!

Coach Craig Dunn at Dana Hills High School called today to say that the new plant box has been installed. We have two but he had a new one installed so that the pit would not hang over onto the football field and therefore can stay out all year long!! YES!! Thanks Coach!!

Coach Dunn was an outstanding distance runner at DHHS when he decided he wanted to try the pole vault. He jumped 10' 6" (3.20m) his first day and 13' 6" (4.12m) by the end of the year. In college he jumped 15' 1" (4.60m). Pretty special considering he is maybe 5' 6" tall.

NOW, as an often recognized and awarded coach at the high school where he competed, he has left a mark in another way. If you Google Earth Dana Hills High School you will see that he has two PV runways in the end zone curve of the track. What makes this special is that they are not in the crappy wind direction, but rather run diagonally so we always have a tailwind. He told the district when they balked that it took up the same amount of room and they would still have room for the high jump. As the head coach he would quit if they said no.

Long story short, I'm thrilled and honored to be allowed to help out in a program with a rich history and three great vault coaches already! Thank you!! Bubba

Making Progress Little by Little!!

Today was another "jump day" where the kids were coming out. I meant to get there a little earlier but decided that if I jumped with the kids, I would jump less and probably not make my leg any worse. If you remember, I'm going on the assumption that I can very slowly ramp up vaulting activity. So far that seems to be working. Since my birthday 10 days ago, this was my 4th day to vault. I took the same three vaults, on the same pole from the same run, BUT, today was the first day that I felt like I could have safely taken a few more jumps before stopping. Next time I will start a bit earlier and try to get five jumps.

The two biggest differences right now are that I'm not as sore from jumping as I was after the first couple of days, and I am also doing my most of other training components along with vaulting. That said, I'm out of town Thursday and Friday so that means my next practice will also be a vault day.

If I can get past the next two weeks getting in a few more jumps in, then I can start thinking about moving up poles a bit or moving my run back. IF I can get through July on all of my 4m/13' 1", poles then August I should be able to start in on my 4.30m/14' 1" poles.  The difference then will be obvious as my practice start height will be 12’ (3.66m) instead of 10’ (3.05m).

Not massive improvement but it's some momentum I can build off of. Jumping four times in 10 days is what I'm looking for. Have a great holiday and thanks for your support. Bubba

I Can See For Miles, by The Who - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hje28F-IhLo&feature=related

Mission Impossible

Next year is a big year for me so now is when I try to learn to hold my body together. Yesterday my leg was very sore and today it's barely noticeable. I don't know what I consider to be the "Mission Impossible; being healthy continuously or getting a medal in my two World Championship competitions. I need them all to happen. Message to self - practice what you preach.

Down to 173.4 this morning. Need to be no higher than 171. Getting closer. That certainly helps. For every 1 lb (1/2kg) you have your body has 40 lbs. more impact just walking and up to 400 lbs. running.

Got up at 4 AM to take my niece to the airport. Lifted when I got home at 6. Now off to watch the kids practice. Nap needed. Have a great day! Bubba

Limp Bizkit's theme from the Mission Impossible 2 soundtrack - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq9R65fXDKQ  My Mission Impossible 2 is Italy/Brazil.

Touch Too Much!!

Always looking for this!

Hard double leg lift this morning with my garage squats and then my gym machines with high and low bars. My leg is pretty sore but doesn't feel injured. I DID jump three days out of seven (YEAH!!) with last Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday. Probably a touch too much. I'm happy.

I'll stay after it and hope to keep getting two jump sessions a week and try not to get hurt. Even if I only get 3-5 jumps before I stop that will be progress. I'm excited at that prospect; probably a touch too much!! ;-)

Have a great day and thanks for being here! Bubba

AC/DC's, "Touch Too Much" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5soFkGX250&feature=related