6-22-2011 Pole Vaulting

hey so today was a very short practice. The conditions were around 76 Degrees with swirling winds. I took a few jumps on the 14'9" 185# 6.0 Inch Flex from 6 today. I really need more reps on bigger poles. I realized I am being passive because I am used to blowing through poles. I am very happy with today's practice because I got up on the 14'9" on the first run down. This is very good for me, because last year I spent the whole year running through on every approach I tried and using small poles. The thing that I noticed was my long last step. I need to quicken the last three steps up and really get down that last step. This will help my take-off and swing. I am going to go back to vaulting twice a week so that I feel more fresh for the meets on the 7th and 14th. I really wish I could do more detailed posts but I have no time right now. I will answer any questions and would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for watching my videos. 

                                                                            

6-20-2011 Pole Vaulting

Hey so today I was just getting use to my 6 stride. I dont have any bigger poles to go to, but I will Wednesday. Today towards the end of my practice I found out I was holding to narrow so I widened my grip 3". This felt a lot better on my run, plant, and take-off  My shoulders could stay a lot more square while running. Well this is a short post today. Have to get to bed.

                                                                                

6-17-2011 Pole Vaulting

Hey so today was my first day back to a longer run then a 5 stride since July 2009! It was great! I need bigger poles for sure though. I felt really tired and tight all day at work but all I could think about was jumping from a 6 stride, so I went to practice and went for it. The winds were swirly, mainly switching between a cross-tail and a head wind. Monday I will go from my 6 again on the 15' 175# 17.1 Flex and then Wednesday I will get to jump on the 14'9" 185# 6.0 inch flex. Well here is the video!

                                                                                 

6-16-2011 Mini Pole Vault Circuit

Here is the pole vault circuit from today. I am excited to vault tomorrow! I wont have the bigger pole but I am going to work on my run from 6 on the 15' 175# 17.1 flex and not have a bar up. Really work on swinging with a straight left leg to the top. I think I had a break through yesterday. I feel really stupid because I know how important stiff pole drills are but never noticed how I work my arms. I work them completely different in my actual vault so yesterday I worked them like I do in my pop up extension stiff pole drill. Anyways here is the drills from today. THE VIDEO

6-15-2011 Pole Vaulting

Hey Everyone! Today was the first practice in months where I got to jump with other vaulters. It was awesome! I Jumped on a pole that was cut from a 14'9" 185# 6.0 inch flex down to a 14'2" pole. I held at 14'1" I am not sure what that equals in pounds and flex but this pole was to stiff from 5 but it was fun to jump on. I am sure if I had been feeling a little bit more fresh and not as tired I could have worked it a little better. But I am going to start running from a 6 stride so next Wednesday when I go back to summit I can jump on the 14'9" 185# 6.0 flex It is the same pole but not cut down. I think it will be a good pole for me. I need to move my step back because I have been at a 5 stride for way to long. I miss longer runs.

                                                                                  
                                                                              

6-14-2011 Mini Pole Vault Circuit

Hey, today I did a mini pole vault circuit. I have not done a pole vault circuit in awhile do to a lot of things. I will be doing a pole vault circuit every Tuesday and Thursday until July 19th.  I took this year to really work on technique. I still have a lot to improve on but I have been doing some good stuff. I plan on only doing three meets this year.They will be on July 7th and 14th at Lane Community College and Hopefully the Oaks Park River Vault on the 24th in Portland. After I am done vaulting I will take two weeks and do active recovery with light bike riding and yoga. Then slowly progress back into lifting and building back up. Well here is the video.

                                                                 

6-13-2011 Pole Vaulting

Hey guys, another short post. I am pretty busy with work and vaulting by the time I stretch, ice, and eat dinner it already is 9-10 o'clock. Today I was working on getting my last left underneath me and jumping up at take-off. I also was working on my top end and getting my turn down. I feel like the pole is just not there for me, so next practice I hope I can move up to the 15'180# that Tom has. I really want to move back to a 6 and hold down on some 16' poles but I have not heard back from the guy who has them yet. I will jump on the 15' 175# 17.1 flex with out the bar on Wednesday so I can just work on my technique, then move up a pole or move back a stride and up poles. I have been at a 5 stride for to long. well here is the video and thanks everyone for the input.