What Now?!

[Bubba PV]

I’m sure some of you will find this very strange and others will relate. After three years away with two Achilles surgeries and a major complication that followed the second surgery, I started back in 2005 with a modest little jump of 8’ in a friend’s back yard. Horribly out of shape because I was told I would never run again without risking internal infection, I started a slow and methodical return with the idea that I must just “show upâ€Â

[htheodore]

Hey Bubba,
Here is a thought. Maybe the technical model you are trying to implement should be modified to best suit your given abilities. I do not want to get a battle started on style vs model. I have seen that drama to many times on here. Your perseverence will get the improvements you seek. You are an inspiration to folks/vaulters young and old. After reading your story on your website, I came to the conclusion that I had a new pole vault hero. Whatever it is that you seek, changes in your vault, learning a new model, new heights. Stay after it. It will come! It was an honor to meet you in Joshua. Best of luck to you.

[Bubba PV]

Thank you so much. That means the world to me of course. I think what's happened is that I've strayed from my model as I've moved to bigger poles and higher grips. Probably what I need to do is what I tell my athletes, “sometimes you have to go back a step or two in order to go forwardâ€Â

[baggettpv]

Come up and spend a week with me over spring break....

Rick

[Bubba PV]

I need to do that Rick. You know how much I respect and welcome your opinions! It will probably be a little later in the year but I need to do that. Unlike some kids we coach, I WILL listen and make changes. The mind is like a parachute - it works best when open! LOL!! Bubba

[souleman]

When I get the point where I'm thinking "geez, am I ever going to be able to jump higher than 9' 6", or, what in Gods name am I doing here", I e-mail you and you get me back on track. I still jump like sh..... but at least I'm jumping. Bottom line is we have to accept and appreciate the "little victories" that we achieve doing this. Now for some real perspective, can you picture your Ol' Man pole vaulting at 53? Later...............Mike

[lonestar]

As Bubba's "E-Coach" and friend for years, I can tell you that no vaulter I know is more committed to improving himself than he is. He plans, implements, evaluates, re-plans, and cycles through it again every single day. Everything he does he runs by me for opinions and suggestions. His workouts are sound, his work ethic is phenomenal, his goals are solid, and his drive is unparalleled. AND I THOUGHT I WAS OBSESSED WITH THIS SPORT!

If he's got any flaw, it would be impatience. He desires immediate results so badly, that he overthinks things a bit too much, and maybe changes plans too often. Bottom line Bubba: what were you repping consistently 1 year ago? 2 years ago? 3 years ago? What are you repping now? Both in heights cleared and in the weight room. The answers to those questions ought to illustrate the steady improvement you're making.

Have patience my friend. As you've always told me, "pole vaulting is all about performing the uncomfortable until it becomes comfortable, then finding the next uncomfortable." Keep on that cycle, keep the mind like a parachute, and don't jump to sudden conclusions, and you'll continue to improve.

If I had one-half of what Bubba's got inside, I would have been an 18'er!

[dj]

good morning

1. enjoy the challenge....

2. finish all your jumps (unless it is unsafe to do so)

3. raise your grip before you move to a bigger pole (unless you will break the one you are on)

4. KISS..... RUN... PLANT... SWING..

5. wave to your to your wife, friend, sweetheart or mom because you just cleared the bar.........

dj

[Bubba PV]

Thanks for all of the support and of course brilliant guidance and friendship! I WILL listen and, yes, even try an be a bit more impatient. Thanks so much!! Bubba

[Bubba PV]

WELL, as fate would have it, I went out today to get an early vault session before a meeting. It was 40 degrees but I felt warmed up and had taken off on my biggest pole a few times – 4m/13.2 Essx. SO, I moved in and dropped down to work on my technical model on a smaller pole. BOOM! First jump I nailed it. Next jump – BOOM – hammy strain. LOL!! It’s very minor and didn’t bruise but at least I can rehab it with a good frame of mind in that my technical issue was a one jump fix. Basically, instead of looking around on the bottom I jumped up and swung my hips directly to hands in one motion and covered my hands.

This may be a blessing in disguise as its nine weeks to Boston and will give me some good speed endurance work, which I’ve needed. I have been doing lots of sprints but all 20-60m. Thanks for all of your help!! I feel much better than when I wrote this post! Bubba

[TrackCEO]

Bubba,

I totally sympathize/empathize/grok your plight -- both the problems you first described and your latest setback with the hammie.

I tore my lead-knee ACL while landing off a hurdle in October 2002, and didn't try serious hurdling again until summer 2006. Now I'm feeling good about the prospect of hurdling in nationals (Orono) this summer.

But I'm fully aware that my technique sucks, my sprint endurance is nonexistent and my courage is doubtful. But still I hope.

Let's hope that you and I get to the finish line in Maine -- you over the bar and me over the final barrier. I'm counting on you to show me the way with your discipline and derring-do.

ken

[Bubba PV]

Thanks Ken. You've been a big hero of mine for years so I feel bad I've lost touch a bit since I moved back to Texas. In California I saw you all the time which was great! I had no idea the depth of your injury and rehab. Sounds like you know EXACTLY how I feel. Let's make it a mission to celebrate some relative success in Maine. Thanks for the support Buddy!! Bubba