OK, Season's winding down, who's hurt, where & how

[souleman]

Funny thing about Master's athletics. As far as a game plan goes, we have to accomodate and try to plan ahead as to what our bodies will allow us to do. At Nationals, I saw plenty of folks competing with ailments. Mine is a bum foot. I was trying to force myself to plant "out". So, I laid a 1 X 4 across the runway as a physical barrier to make sure I was taking off far enough "out". I hit all of my marks perfect except for that dam board (I know, laying a board across the runway was pretty stupid........I was thinking with that 18 year old brain again). Anyway I rolled the board off of the ball of my plant foot and as close as all of us can figure, I tore a tendon in my foot. On the bright side ( I normally always have a bright side. Otherwise I wouldn't keep doing this. Would I?) It has forced me back into the gym and out to the swingback bars. So, there's my ailment and my story of how I did it. Who else out there is a walking wounded? Later..........Mike

[bvpv07]

How about just trying a strip of foam once you can get out there again?

Well, I'm closer to the 18-year old mind than the masters, but I can contribute a broken back and talluses with stress fractures.

[vaultmd]

I've been jacked up since the WAVA North American championships in Kamloops, 2000. Almost at full speed (for an out of shape dude) now. Got over 9'0" from 36' last Sunday!

[Russ]

I've had a series of minor injuries. In late June I had back spasms (1st time ever), and my back hasn't felt 100% since. I've had a recurring quad soreness for the past 4 weeks, As a result, I've been limited to 3,4, and 5 left drills (which is okay), but I'm feeling "old" (at 49). I'm on the DL but I'm hoping to be ready for the indoor season.

[master]

I ended the season with a slight ham strain that seems to be getting better daily. My right shoulder (probably rotator cuff) soreness persists but will likely subside after some more time without pole planting. So all in all, I feel I made it through the season without a severe incicdent. Now it's time for planning and beginning the off-season training before indoor practice starts.

- master

[Rhino]

I was off about six weeks after a quad blowout in May. I feel fine now, but haven't quite gotten back to the level I was at. I'm hoping for a good one at the Labor Day vault in Jacksonville.

[artparry]

It has been a long 16 months. A year ago last April I came back to vaulting after 41 years off. My first time I planted, from 15 feet approach, I pulled a ham string. Next came a pulled calf, next I strained the other calf. So, after about 7 months I had hardly vaulted. Then I had a string of good months and have managed to clear 11 ft. 6 in. in competition. And more importantly 12 1/2 in practice. Then in June I tore the miniscus in my right knee. Surgery was two months ago and I am back at practice, having cleared 12 ft. four times last Wednesday. So, to sum it up I have spent more time injured than vaulting. But vaulting again is worth every injury.

[vaultwest]

I too am done for the summer ( except I might jump in the Coos Bay Street vault from short approach next Saturday).

My season started out great with a 4.20m 13'9" jump at the summit and from there it was pretty much down hill the rest of the year. I did get a 4.10m 13'5" jump at Western Oregon in April or May and I got 4.05m 13'3" at the Hayward Classic in June, but vaulting was hard all year. My takeoff foot (left foot which I had surgery on three seasons ago) acted up on me and just kept getting worse and worse so basically I did not get any of my usual running workouts in and my vault practices were much shorter than normal and not very succesful or fun. I think I have figured out what I did wrong and what I need to do next year to keep my foot healthy. So once again I am all stoked up for next year and hope I can get 14' once again as a 52 year old.
Vault On

[pvwoody]

My return to vaulting (after 32 years) was interrupted by a hernia that required surgery in April. I recovered in time for the summer season, but injured an achillies while warming up at the MI Sr. Olympics. That forced me out of the Charlotte meet (I'm still kicking myself). I have met a lot of great people this season, though and I'm looking forward to next year. One more meet in KY at the end of September, then back to training.

[2-15-46]

first year back and still 15 lb over weight after dropping 20,, I've dealt with a strained quad right off the bat... got that under control then tripped on my runway in my underwear at night covering the pit and went head first into a platform I built for rope drills in the pit... the battered face was'nt so bad as was the ball of my left foot that caught the edge of my runway and was painfull to run on for a few weeks, then at NC I came down short and landed on my left arm and slightly sprained my thumb, bruising my tricept....which still hurts as I tried to go up the other day...thumbs ok..... going to Ky senior games for one last attempt to jump healthy....hahaha it's always something!!!!!!! Then back to the drawing board for the winter, with losing the extra weight, weight training , gymnastics and speed work.... was timed the other day at 6.8 meters per second..... anyone know if I can beat a one legged turtle????? what's good at 60 yrs old??

[Bubba PV]

I'm beat up but not broken ... knock on wood, although sometimes I feel like I've been shot at and missed and s*%t at and hit. Our Texas Senior Games is four weeks from today so basically we're just trying to hold together.

I too have met and had a ton of contact with some wonderful people this year. Thanks to all of you for your PV addiction (LOL) and love of our sport and the camaraderie it breeds. To your health!! Bubba

[DBH027]

I managed to pull a muscle in my hand yesterday...very odd, I have no grip strength, only good news is that I am taking 4-6 weeks off before cranking up again, so at least it was timely!