Shake out

After the meet yesterday today was just an easy shake out day.  We went in at 2 warmed up then did some approach work.  i got my steps down for my 7 step so I am looking forward to giving that a shot tomorrow.  My step was incredibly consistent which is really exciting.  Then we did some A jump to work on jumping at take off, something else I need to fix.  They are still not perfect, but I am getting better.  After those we played around on the mats some because Coach left us alone for too long  : )  Finished up practice with a set of two min abs then a little stretch.

Still heating the hamstring before practice but i now have virtually no pain. Leg swings do not even hurt anymore.  Hopefully I can make it through this week injury free.

Back where I should be

Today we left CNU at 6 to head up to George Mason for their last chance meet.  I was pretty exhausted and not feeling my best when we got there, but as warm up began I decided I needed to get going.  This was probably the roughest warm up I have ever had.  I literally did not get off the ground at all from a full approach and wasn't swinging for short approaches.  Eventually coach stopped me and told me to just wait for the bar.  I need to figure out what to do about this mental block!!!

The bar opened at 2.85 m or 9'4" inches.  I was a little nervous because I do not usually open that high, but I have jumped 9'6" so many time I knew I could do it.   My first attempt I got off the ground but swung.  With that out of my system I was able to regroup and clear it easily on my second attempt.  Then the bar went to 3.00 m or 9'10".  Once again I missed my first attempt, this time becuase I was finally running and ended up lower, and because my hand was too low.  So, I moved back six inches and up a grip and went over know problem.   Then the bar went to 3.15 m or 10'4" (my indoor PR, jumped at Mason last year).  First attempt once again no good, but nothing major to fix just a different technique focus and went over it  to, caught it a little at the top but the bar was nice an stayed on.  First attempt at 3.30 m or 10'10"  alright as a jump, just didn't go up like I needed to.  Second step I ran harder again, ran my self under then ran my leg into the pole (have a brush burn on my knee to prove it!!!).  Third attempt I moved back a foot and had a good swing, just didn't not have the height, but I'll be going after it next Saturday at VA Tech.

Coach now believes that my late plant is why I have had trouble jumping and that I am planting late because I needed to be running a seven step but have only been running a six.  So I have some stuff to work on.  It was great to get to spend sometime with Grandma and Grandad today, I am really glad they could stop by on their way home from the beach.  Overall it was a great day for both me individually and the CNU team.  I still have lots to work on, but I am looking forward to the week of practice and one last chance at VA Tech on Saturday

Pre Meet

Today we had our pre meet practice for George Mason tomorrow.  Normal pre meet warmup then on to pole vault.  Short approaches felt kinda off today, I felt like I was taking off even more under than I usually do.  Then we started on full runs.  Coach finally found a problem with my run.  I have been on my heels way too much.  So I worked on that some today.  Hopefully I can put it into effect tomorrow.  At least today my run was nice and consistent, but my plant is late for the first time in my life, which I believe is leading to my inability to jump recently.  Taryn and I each got three attempts at a 3.10 bungee, but there was definitely nothing to report, I am hoping that I got some of the craziness out of my system so I can have a great day in the morning.  George Mason here we come.

VA states

No practice today because the pole vault team volunteered to help out at the VA state meet.  We worked the standards in the pole vault for both the boys and girls today.  It was one incredibly long day.  Boys started at 12, Chris and I got there about 1 and Cam didn't not finish up the girls meet until 8.  Definitely some big jumps today.  Atlee took both the boys and girls title.  Cam, the girl from Atlee finished with a pretty big jump of 13' 1.5"  or 4.00 meters.  It was nice to help out and I am definitely glad that I got 7 hours of service in to work on the PLP requirement.  Now ready for spring break to begin, get to act like a professional athlete for the next week, just be here and train.  Hopefully I can make some nice improvements with this much time to focus.

bungee jumping

Hamstring felt even better today.  Basically the only pain left in the warm up is leg swings, which is kind of to be expected.  Also, was able to stretch my hamstring for the first time today, but touching my toes still hurts a little.Still took it easy though and stuck to full approaches rather than full runs.  Did get to have a little fun at practice and actually jump at a bungee.  It felt good to work on a little top end form.  Managed to take some pretty good jumps at a 3.20 meter bungee from a four step though, and was able to get my grip higher.

Looking forward to helping out at VA high school states tomorrow then a pre meet day on saturday to get ready for the George Mason on Sunday.

YAAAAYYYY!!!!!!!!

Back to practice today.  Heated and stretched before practice.  Made it through the warm up with minimal  pain.  Pole vault warm up no problem.  First short approach, not so much.  The acceleration phase hurt a lot today so decided to take it easy.
Did 2 min abs and 3 min planks while the team ran.
Then went to the weight room for upper body
auxiliary day:
2x10 shoulder press with 20 lbs each hand
2x10 incline press with 20 lbs each hand
2x10 low rows with 20 lbs
2x10 lat pulls with 75 lbs
2x10 NRG pulls with 75 lbs

Then got a pretty fantastic phone call while at the library tonight!  Incredibly excited that I get to be apart of this years ACS and DOE Nuclear and Radiochemistry Summer School!!!  Pretty much made my week!

Off day

Today, because of NCAA rules about how many practices you can have in a week, was an off day.  Conveniently it was perfect timing to let my hamstring recover.  It is feeling much better today and I am looking forward to getting back to practice tomorrow.  Do day has been a great day to relax a little and just let my body recover, I have some big stuff I have to get through before spring break gets here.

Sad News

Coach had us in this morning at 7:30 for a post conference meeting. or so we thought.  After he went over the schedule for the week, Coach Patti stepped up and gave us some sad news.  She is leaving for Gonzaga University in about three weeks.  It is a great opportunity for her, but we are absolutely gonna miss her!!! : ( 

Then for afternoon practice, went and saw Lindsey.  She had me take it easy today.  Just heat and bike for a little.  Got in a small little 8:35 mins on the bike, then moved to go join our medal ceremony and lost the bike.  Even the ones in the freeman were busy!  Then, the team headed out to play kick ball, since I couldn't play I ducked out a little early to get started on the pile of work I have tonight.  Think giving the leg a rest day was the best thing for today, I pushed it through a lot yesterday.

Ups and Downs at Conference

So today was our Mason-Dixon Conference Championship.  I was very unsure how my day was going to go when I woke up with the hamstring still very sore.  Heated and warmed up on the bike.  On the run way things did not get much better.  Took everything that I had to do each and every run, but was determined to compete, especially since the jumper from York who was seeded above me did not show up.  As I got going things began to loosen up.  I cleared 8'2" on my first attempt and then was ready to go.  Also had first attempt clearances at 8'8", 9'2",  and 9'8".  Then missed all three attempts at 10'2".  Today was a season PR by about 2 " but I am still about 6" short of my indoor PR.  Was certainly excited that that jump still got me a conference championship.  third in a row, can't complain

So that was the up, now for the down.  Going in we knew the girls were favored by 6 points and the boys were down by nearly 30.   Methodist was our competition and they are stacked with sprinters, an area we lack a little.  There were definitely some amazing performances today.  Freshman, Jenna, won the high jump, PRd and provoed for nationals.  There were also about 6 other conference champs across the team, and I am happy to share the pole vault champ title with Joey, and Taryn was awesome taking second today.  As the day continued whispers began that the girls were loosing.  Then as the scores were announced, we came up about 15 points short, we had 123 to Methodists 138.  Incredibly disappointed for the team, its hard to enjoy my victory when the team lost.  Then the boys came up just 3 points short, what a come back.  Coach was still happy because both teams scored more points then we were supposed to and we had over 30 PRs on the team.

I guess I should not be too upset, but it is disappointing for the team to loose.  It was great to have Jez, Nicki and Libby from small group and to spend some time with my parents.  Now to look toward a few post season meets.  But for conference all I have to say is outdoor here we come.

one last prep

Nice early morning practice today.  Just a pre-meet day.  regular warm up then on to pole vault.  Short approaches felt good.  Then full runs were on.  Got off the ground early today which was nice.  last run though felt something stretch a little in my hamstring.  Got shut down for the day, but should not interfere with tomorrow.  Looking forward to seeing my parents this afternoon and stepping up for conference in the morning.  Also excited to sport the new team gear that came in today!

Ready To Roll

Not too much to report in my first post.  Today was an easy active  rest day.  Went on a 20 min run with Michael, out to President Trible's house and back, about 2 miles.  To an active walking rest break about half way back. Def a great chance to get outside and enjoy the absolutely beautiful weather we had today! Then led Michael and Caleb through some quick abs. Legs feel good,  ready to roll in to conference this sunday.  Should be a good day for the team.