So Tell Me, How seriously DO we take ourselves?

[souleman]

So, after the deal on Ken Stones Blog regarding Geezerjocks name change I popped this on masters track.com. I figured I'd paste it here to see what you all thought as well. Here's the post.

The fury that we’ve all seen on Ken’s Blog regarding Geezerjock changing
it’s name really got me to wondering this. Do we consider ourselves serious athletes or is it OK to just take our athletic activities seriously? There’s a difference in my opinion.
For us to consider ourselves serious athletes is somewhat ludicrous from a standpoint that most of us perform far below existing world record standards (I’m talkin’ the real ones, not the age graded “handicapâ€Â

[dougb]

A brief reply.
The records for masters depend more on longevity than ability in my opinion. Hartwig is a perfect example and may he live forever.
the compitition is good for all of us old geezers and while we may not be as good as we once were we can still talk the walk.

[souleman]

Agreed! I would never say what we do should or could be considered trivial. It's really quite amazing if you think about it. In January I will be as old as my Dad was when I graduated from high school. There is no way I would have ever pictured him doing what I do (even though he still had the wickedest curve ball you've ever seen). On the other hand what I question is, what exactly is our attitude. Is it healthy or not? Later........Mike

[Vaulting prof]

Mike, interesting question.
Having done a lot of distance running as a masters athlete before becoming a pole vaulter I can see a parallel with "serious athletes" and what level of dedication and passion it takes to be good at what we are doing at our age.
Hopefully, a key difference is that our mature stage of the game -- we know
there is no career and 6 figure pay checks out there no mater how hard we work. So we have to do it for love. Also, even though I would match intensity of effort and focus on our sport with a lot of "world class" or at least post collegiate "elites" younger athletes there isn't much room for attitude.
I would think our maturity helps us see the advantages of "friends working together to conquer gravity" is a lot more rewarding than "kicking some butt". So, I come down on your side -- but a little reluctant to give up the
title "serious athlete".

Howard aka vaulting prof

[master]

OK. You guys are bursting my bubble. All this time I've been in it for the money. I figured any day now someone was going to knock on my door and tell me I'm set for life! Man. What a let down!

And I suppose next you're going to tell me that there aren't going to be any young groupies following me around anytime soon either. What a bummer!

All right. Its tough but I can accept that. So am I a serious athlete? As expected, the answer depends on the definition. I'm serious enough that I choose to spend time thinking about and studying my event. I spend time getting and staying in good physical condition but maybe that doesn't count since I think that is an important investment in what I hope will be a long and healthy life. Do I watch what I eat? Yes, but for the reason just given. It is just a very nice benefit that that contributes to my condition which contributes to my vaulting.

I set some athletic goals but they are mostly personal improvement goals. I happen to be fortunate that if I am successful at meeting my personal goals I can also enjoy success at meets. Thats a bonus. Do I want to break records? Yes. Do I get satisfaction out of it? Yes, if they are personal records also. Do I enjoy seeing other people reach their personal goals? You bet! Will I help them in any way I can? You bet.

Am I a serious athlete? I don't know. What I do know is that I am passionate about pole vaulting. I love thinking and talking about it and I love to interact with other people who share that passion. I am serious about doing things that will help me improve my athletic skills. But I don't take it to the point of denying myself other pleasures of life, or putting my personal relationships in jeopardy, or neglecting responsibilities.

That's probably enough ranting for one post. I've enjoyed reading other's thoughts on the topic and look forward to reading even more (in between sets of push ups and sit ups )

- master

[2-15-46]

OK. You guys are bursting my bubble. All this time I've been in it for the money. I figured any day now someone was going to knock on my door and tell me I'm set for life! Man. What a let down!

And I suppose next you're going to tell me that there aren't going to be any young groupies following me around anytime soon either. What a bummer!

All right. Its tough but I can accept that. So am I a serious athlete? As expected, the answer depends on the definition. I'm serious enough that I choose to spend time thinking about and studying my event. I spend time getting and staying in good physical condition but maybe that doesn't count since I think that is an important investment in what I hope will be a long and healthy life. Do I watch what I eat? Yes, but for the reason just given. It is just a very nice benefit that that contributes to my condition which contributes to my vaulting.

I set some athletic goals but they are mostly personal improvement goals. I happen to be fortunate that if I am successful at meeting my personal goals I can also enjoy success at meets. Thats a bonus. Do I want to break records? Yes. Do I get satisfaction out of it? Yes, if they are personal records also. Do I enjoy seeing other people reach their personal goals? You bet! Will I help them in any way I can? You bet.

Am I a serious athlete? I don't know. What I do know is that I am passionate about pole vaulting. I love thinking and talking about it and I love to interact with other people who share that passion. I am serious about doing things that will help me improve my athletic skills. But I don't take it to the point of denying myself other pleasures of life, or putting my personal relationships in jeopardy, or neglecting responsibilities.

That's probably enough ranting for one post. I've enjoyed reading other's thoughts on the topic and look forward to reading even more (in between sets of push ups and sit ups ;) )

- master

Well said John.
Golly I have groupies though.....trouble is they have to be back to the manor by dinner time!!!!!

Let's see, since I've gotten back into vaulting 2 yrs ago now, I've ripped about every muscle in the human body, broke two poles, one required stitches, sprained ankle that took ten months to heal, lost 30 pounds,
learned how to jump on a flexible pole, met some great people/athletes
and jump with my grandson who hopefully some day tell his grandkids how he used to vault with his Grandfather... ego? obsession? insanity??serious athlete??
I dunno....having fun and that's what counts....I am proud to be a 'Vaulting Geezer'..... as far as Geezerjock magazine.?? I like the name......!!!

[vaultwest]

I agree with all of you old Geezers.

Personally I consider myself a very serious athlete. I have been training nonstop since I was in high school and in some ways I am more committed and dedicated today than I have ever been, I just can't do the volume at the same intensity I used to. But within my new limits I do everything I can in my training to be the best athlete I can be, so I can be the best vaulter I can be. Of course I do balance this with my carrier, marriage and the other passions in my life including eating well and drinking a few cold ones.

All that said this is just pole vaulting after all and in the big picture of all the things in this world how important is it really. I enjoy the activity,I still think the vault teaches the best lessons in life, I love coaching, and cherish all my great friends in the vault world, but I don't take vaulting or myself too serious. I think we just have to find that perfect balance between the two.

I also think the old title for the magazine was great and anyone who can't see the fun, irony, humor of that title is surely taking things way to serious.
vault On

[Bubba PV]

OK - I've migrated my response over from Ken's also. Bubba

I know where Mike is coming from. There are age graded tables that allow us to compare our present marks to our past marks and that's where my competition lies. I’ll never catch Gary Hunter but he won’t catch me either because I’m three years older and out of his division this summer. LOL!!

I am a serious masters athlete because I make many sacrifices, train my butt off, and expect results. BUT, I don’ take myself too seriously. These are MY goals and I do not consider anyone else as I set them or train. Life does funny things to you. My best vault was 18’ 1â€Â

[2-15-46]

[quote="Bubba PV"]OK - I've migrated my response over from Ken's also. Bubba

I know where Mike is coming from. There are age graded tables that allow us to compare our present marks to our past marks and that's where my competition lies. I’ll never catch Gary Hunter but he won’t catch me either because I’m three years older and out of his division this summer. LOL!!

I am a serious masters athlete because I make many sacrifices, train my butt off, and expect results. BUT, I don’ take myself too seriously. These are MY goals and I do not consider anyone else as I set them or train. Life does funny things to you. My best vault was 18’ 1â€Â

[vault3rb0y]

Well i dont know but i cant wait to meet some of you guys at Forney. You guys are AWESOME and i wish my dad were more like some of you guys LOL .

[Bubba PV]

Me and Don will be there. I think we jump at 8 so we're leaving Houston about 3 AM. Can't wait. Looking forward to meeting you and watching you jump! Bubba

[vault3rb0y]

I will definitely try to come to the facility a little earlier to watch you guys jump. See ya there!