Wednesday, December 9, 2009

December 9, 2009

"Perserverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Pole:

Height: 12'
Weight: 130 lbs
Step: 4 step

Things to Work On:

1. C Position
2. Left leg long at the plant
3. Left arm straight
4. Jump into the vault
5. Run Fast!!!

Comments:

Much too cold to vault today! It was definitely a high of about 35 degrees today! Plus wind chill. I was freezing! Things I learned about pole vualting while it's cold: the poles get stiffer in the cold, move up your step because you can't run, and stay warm!!!

December 7, 2009

"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." - Confucius

Pole:

Height: 12'
Weight: 130 lbs
Step: 4 step

Things to Work On:

1. C Position
2. Left leg straight and out at the take off
3. Left arm straight!!!
4. Chest out
5. Eyes Up

Comments:

We decided that until I can get my plant perfect, I will not be able to get up on the bigger poles. Therefore, we took one of our smallest poles and started working on getting my left arm out. Apparently it's a lot easier said than done. I've been getting away with terrible form for too long. The take off is what we're going to be working on for a long time.

Monday, December 7, 2009

December 5, 2009

Meet Location: Arkansas State University
Height attained: 10'3

Pole:

Height: 13'; 13'6
Weight: 150 lbs; 140 lbs
Step: 7 step

Things to Work On:

1. Swing to the negative.
2. Left arm out on the plant.
3. Remember to run fast on the runway in practice as well as in competition.
4. Need to attack the box on the plant.
5. Relax!!!

Comments:

Definitely need to spend more time with the 140 pole. It's looking like the shorter 150 is going to be too small in the near future which means that the 140 and I had better start getting along. I did not hit the heights I wanted to, but the vaulting in and of itself went well. My best vault was the final one for sure. I was a lot faster on the runway in competition that I am in practice (something that will be changing very soon). Looking forward to the next practice where I can take what I've learned and apply it to the vault. I also had the oppurtunity to vault with some amazing athletes that I have seen in PV documentaries and have watched video of. I was like a little kid when I saw Earl Bell!!! haha Living the dream.

December 4, 2009

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perserverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained." - Madam Marie Curie

Pole:

Height: 13'6
Weight: 140 lbs
Step: 7 step

Things to Work On:

1. Left arm out at the plant.
2. Swing to the negative.
3. Jump up into the vault.
4. Focus.
5. Visualize.

Comments:

Not the best practice before a meet in my opinion, but there's always room for improvement. This pole and I really need to spend more time together. It's a fight to get into the vault everytime. Eventually, one of us will win, and I am confident that the winner will be me :D

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

December 1, 2009

"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." --Saint Francis de Sales

Pole

Weight: 140
Height: 13'6
Step: 6 step

Things to Work On:

1. Progressively faster down the runway.
2. Swing to the negative.
3. Work the top of the vault.
4. Relax shoulders on the extension.
5. Left arm out on the plant.

Comments:

Learned a very important lesson today... never let go of the pole! haha I've heard it a million times. It's ingrained in every vaulters' mind, and somehow I failed to hold on. Paid the price for it with a slap to the stomach and chest from the pole. I've got a bruise running from belly button to chest right now. Never let go of the pole! I got on a new pole, and it's brutal. We've exchanged a few blows :) I've never hated a pole so much, and I do not like this one. The thing is, I'm finally on a pole that's too strong for me; it's brutalizing me for my poor form. Needless to say, it's a very hateful and painful relationship, but once I learn how to vault on it correctly, the reward from the bend will be crazy! I just need to learn how to let the pole do the work and rely on it more than my own strength.