Randy Hixon in SF Gate - Healthy Obsession

[Bubba PV]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 6QU35I.DTL

Randy Hixon
Age: 58

Occupation: Part-time ocean shipping auditor

Town: Sausalito

Sport: Pole vault

Why: I vaulted in college and always remembered the feel of flying away from the pole at the top of the vault and then the drop into the pit. I have extra time now and wanted to try it again.

Latest accomplishment: I recently set the record in the 55 - 59 age group at the Bay Area Senior Games at Stanford: 10'6."

Gear you can't live without: Fiberglass vaulting poles made by Skypole.

Where you train: With the North Coast Vaulting Association in Petaluma; the Outlaws pole vaulting club; Nautilus of Marin for weight training and core work; and the Tamalpais High School track for speed workouts.

Best time to train: Vaulting: anytime; gym and track work: in the mornings.

Most annoying thing people assume about athletes in your sport: When I'm carrying poles over to the vaulting area of the stadium someone (usually the younger vaulters) will ask "Are you one of the coaches?"

Advice you'd give a rookie: Get strong and fast. And do lots of "Bubkas" (swing to an inverted position from a hanging position on a high bar keeping the arms straight; named for world champion pole vaulter Sergei Bubka).

Know someone hooked on a sport? E-mail healthyobsession @sfchronicle.com.

[master]

Bubba,

Do you know Randy? How did you come across this story?

- master

[Bubba PV]

I don't know him but I'm sure to run into him out west at some point. I have a "Live Search" feature on my MSN hompepage that always gives me the latest PV news. I get some really cool stuff real early.

It's 5:10 AM and I'm off to a USATF All Comers outside of Austin. Last week was Texas Seniors Champs, our Halloween Vault and Monday was The Woodlands High School All Comers. BAM - four meets in 7 days. Next on is 12/15 in Forney near Dallas. Have fun! Bubba

[master]

I'm envious of the many opportunities you have to vault.

- master