grip height, pole sizes, speed???

[2-15-46]

any geezers care to share, their, grip heights, pole sizes, speed, PR's..etc... be interested in knowing what others are doing......

[Rhino]

At almost 48 years old, I hold 13'10" to 14' on a 15' 160. Could use 5 lbs. heavier if I could find one. I weigh 160. I clear 14', though currently am nursing a blown quad and hip flexor. About a year ago, I ran a wind-aided 12.74, which is within 1/2 second of as fast as I ever was.

[master]

2-15-46, hmmm. I'm guessing that lines up pretty close to my 3-12-46, but then the numbers could be something besides a date. Anyway, back to your topic.

Today I had a good last practice before next Saturday's meet. I vaulted on 3 different poles; a 4m 145# for warm up, a 4.25m 145# to get confidence, and today I was comfortable on a 4.25m 150#. I have a 4.15m series of Pacer FX poles, but I haven't worked them much this spring. They start at 155# and go up in 5# increments. I almost always grip about 5" down from the end. I weigh 143 and am 5'9" tall.

My official PR (read meet PR) is 3.85m (12' 7.5"). I have been doing better than that in practice but I'll wait until I do better in a meet to make any claims here. I haven't been timed in a sprint. Perhaps it would be good for me to do if for no other reason than to have a benchmark to compare myself to as the years progress.

If you want to know ranking, be sure to check out the pages provided by Dave Clingan (Thanks Dave!!!) at http://www.mastersrankings.com There are pages for both indoor and outdoor and men and women, and for previous years.

- master

[2-15-46]

2-15-46, hmmm. I'm guessing that lines up pretty close to my 3-12-46, but then the numbers could be something besides a date. Anyway, back to your topic.

Today I had a good last practice before next Saturday's meet. I vaulted on 3 different poles; a 4m 145# for warm up, a 4.25m 145# to get confidence, and today I was comfortable on a 4.25m 150#. I have a 4.15m series of Pacer FX poles, but I haven't worked them much this spring. They start at 155# and go up in 5# increments. I almost always grip about 5" down from the end. I weigh 143 and am 5'9" tall.

My official PR (read meet PR) is 3.85m (12' 7.5"). I have been doing better than that in practice but I'll wait until I do better in a meet to make any claims here. I haven't been timed in a sprint. Perhaps it would be good for me to do if for no other reason than to have a benchmark to compare myself to as the years progress.

If you want to know ranking, be sure to check out the pages provided by Dave Clingan (Thanks Dave!!!) at http://www.mastersrankings.com There are pages for both indoor and outdoor and men and women, and for previous years.

- master

well that is correct ....we are within a month of one another... I am making my comeback (?) after a 40+ yr lull, , a HS 13-6 steel jumper, one yr of college experience at 14 on a old 15 foot browning skypole, rated at 185 lbs (so it wouldn't break) obviously would'nt bend either, then my career fell short because of too many toga parties and then the draft board began their chase. I was able to coach in the the 80's and could teach flexible pole jumping but tried it once then and ripped hams and strained knees, about 30 lbs overweight, a tad out of shape........ retired now and now I am a freshman at 60 instead of 1960.... your input is greatly appreciated.....anything thing further to pass on would also be appreciated....at our age our aches , pains and training practices are different then those of lesser years...thanx ..Bob

[master]

My "layoff" was from 1968 until 2003. I learned to jump on aluminum poles when I was learning in HS but also got to jump on a few Browning Silaflex (I think) poles and experience the flexible pole vault. HS PR was around 13'4". In college I jumped with fiberglass but we didn't have a coach that knew vaulting. So when I started back up in 2003 I sought and accepted coaching wherever I could find it. Most masters vaulters I have met are more than happy to share what they know, and also to help you out at a meet by checking your take off foot location and commenting on the jump technique and standards placement. Along the way I have had my share of body difficulties including 4 serious hamstring strains, 2 minor ones, 2 serious calf strains, and a shoulder issue probably caused by taking off under. I really work to hit my take off location now.

[vaultwest]

Well I am 51 years old, 5'7" tall and weigh about 165lbs. Unlike many of the master vaulters I have actually never stopped vaulting I have now cleared a bar for 41 consecutive years and I have cleared 13' or higher for 33 consecutive years. Since I have never really jumped that high I guess I am going for the ironman award.

I ran a 100 meter race a couple of years ago and was timed in 13.0 so I have definitely slowed down( I ran around 11.0 in college), and I won't be running any more timed races because I don't need to know that I am really that slow. Not good for ones confidence, I feel faster than that so I think I will just keep working on speed without timing myself so I can at least feel like I am fast.

I have jumped 13'9", 4.20m so far this year. I have been working through a foot problem this year so I have not been on my 14'6" series of poles. I have been jumping on 14' poles 160 through 170 pound ratings holding between 13' and 13'6".

It is fun to see what other jumpers are doing. Anything to keep up the motivation and remember the great old addage if he can do that I should be able to do it too.

I hope more masters will respond.

Vault On

[2-15-46]

My "layoff" was from 1968 until 2003. I learned to jump on aluminum poles when I was learning in HS but also got to jump on a few Browning Silaflex (I think) poles and experience the flexible pole vault. HS PR was around 13'4". In college I jumped with fiberglass but we didn't have a coach that knew vaulting. So when I started back up in 2003 I sought and accepted coaching wherever I could find it. Most masters vaulters I have met are more than happy to share what they know, and also to help you out at a meet by checking your take off foot location and commenting on the jump technique and standards placement. Along the way I have had my share of body difficulties including 4 serious hamstring strains, 2 minor ones, 2 serious calf strains, and a shoulder issue probably caused by taking off under. I really work to hit my take off location now.

Thats what it was a Silaflex..... but in my case it was a SILASTIFF...... they cost $60 then .......don't feel to bad today a little sore, did a bungee bar 9 on a 50 foot approach hanging at 10-6 on a 4m 160 green skypole...bent it a little ...still along ways from thinking i should be hahaha...

[jumpbackin]

I'm 41 gripping 13'6-8. Last night I ran the 100m in 13.6ht. Yeah, I feel faster than that too, but the stop watch doesn't lie.

I've only made 13 feet since resuming vaulting last summer. Funny thing is I made 13 easily the first time I went for a height. Which was after about 4 or 5 sessions. I've been training pretty seriously the last 7 month and not improved. Go figure.

I've been using a 14-165. I'm about to swear off 14 foot poles and bang my head on fifteens until I get on them.

[vaultwest]

Jumpbackin
For what it is worth I would recommend that if you want to move to longer poles try going up to 14'6" poles before going to 15' poles. That 14' to 15' jump in pole lengths is a bugger. I have found with myself and the young men I coach going to 14'6" poles first is a much better transition. If you can't get hold of some 14'6" poles at least try to get your grip as close to 14' on the 14' poles first before you make the leap to 15'. Good luck
Vault On

[jumpbackin]

Jumpbackin
For what it is worth I would recommend that if you want to move to longer poles try going up to 14'6" poles before going to 15' poles. That 14' to 15' jump in pole lengths is a bugger. I have found with myself and the young men I coach going to 14'6" poles first is a much better transition. If you can't get hold of some 14'6" poles at least try to get your grip as close to 14' on the 14' poles first before you make the leap to 15'. Good luck
Vault On

I wish I had some 14sixers. At the end of Winter I was able to get on some 15 foot poles, no problem. Since then it's been like jumping into a brick wall.

[Vaulting prof]

Welcome back to the ultimate sport-- (in my biased opinion)
It sounds like you are off to a good start.
I too took a 40 year break before getting back into pole vaulting.
I'm 62, 135 and 5'6" and have been jumping on Spirit 11'6"
130# and 140# After warm-up I grip at 11".
After 2 1/2 years back I've made major progress at switching all
that muscle memory from the "straight pole" techiniques to using
the bend of the fiberglass. I find that under the pressure of competition
I tend to revert to my old technique-- so plan to be patient with the
transition to using all that spring back from the bending pole.
Also -- ditto on caution about the intensity of sprinting on "older" legs
I too, after many decades of running with no problems have had a
series of hamstring injuries and some knee problems tied to pole
vaulting and the related exercises.
I see you are from Ohio-- I'm in Michigan so we may well cross
paths at some meets this summer.
Good training and good luck

Vaulting Prof

[2-15-46]

Welcome back to the ultimate sport-- (in my biased opinion)
It sounds like you are off to a good start.
I too took a 40 year break before getting back into pole vaulting.
I'm 62, 135 and 5'6" and have been jumping on Spirit 11'6"
130# and 140# After warm-up I grip at 11".
After 2 1/2 years back I've made major progress at switching all
that muscle memory from the "straight pole" techiniques to using
the bend of the fiberglass. I find that under the pressure of competition
I tend to revert to my old technique-- so plan to be patient with the
transition to using all that spring back from the bending pole.
Also -- ditto on caution about the intensity of sprinting on "older" legs
I too, after many decades of running with no problems have had a
series of hamstring injuries and some knee problems tied to pole
vaulting and the related exercises.
I see you are from Ohio-- I'm in Michigan so we may well cross
paths at some meets this summer.
Good training and good luck

Vaulting Prof

Hey..

I'm originally from Michigan went to Ionia High school. class of 64.... jumped 13 6 on s aluminum/steel or what ever you wanna call them....

gonna be at Frerris this coming week end to get my feet wet haha...gonna be there??
Bob