Sparkie's rundiary

Tuesday 24th January 2006
The opportunity to do a pole vault session came up yesterday, and so I prepared an elaborate case as to why I should be allowed to skip the working-bee and head out for the afternoon. Fortunately, all jobs had been done, and the offer to take my 7 year-old neice off Amelia's hands clinched the deal.

However, 7 year-olds and promptness don't always go hand in hand, and I arrived about 20 minutes late. An insufficient warm-up (which thankfully had no repercussions), and straight into vaulting. I got a couple of practice plants in before the bar (ropeactually - this distinction will become important later on) went up. Having been 2 months since I last cleared a height, I was a bit nervous as Jim called out 2.40m - my PB. So I was quite surprised when I launched to realise I was looking down on the rope, and getting over was a formality. I was even more surprised to find that Jim had lied and it was 2.50m that I had cleared. Second jump was also successful, and upon landing, Jim informed me it was 2.70m - a 30cm PB.

After this, we decided it was time to use the proper bar, and Jim set the height to 2.80m. A valiant but unsuccessful attempt provided an object lesson in why you don't use the bar in training. I came down, the bar came down on my right ankle, my left leg came down on the bar, and my right ankle experienced a sensation akin to being hit with an iron bar. Refusing to be daunted, I soldiered on through the session, but things weren't good, and I didn't get another clearance. However, I few technical things, such as my run-up and plant, were improving, so it wasn't a total waste of time.

Another thing I discovered was that each jump takes a bit out of you, and I was having trouble finding the strength to push-off the bar on later jumps. This wouldn't have been helped by the fact that I upped all my weights that morning at the gym to 6-rep max - in some cases doubling the weights I was lifting. My logic is that I am not trying to do 12 moderate shot-put throws, but 3 bigs ones. Therefore lifting heavier weights is what is needed. The few months of higher reps should allow me to transition to the heavier weights, which will hopefully add a few points in the strength events.

The downside of my enthusiastic training was a roster of sore bits today (picture Indiana Jones on the boat - without the swarthy good looks). Sore right ankle (I don't think it's broken, as I hiked round town today on it - but it sure is sore). Bruise on right hip (another encounter with the bar). Spike cut on right calf. Bruise on back from doing back rolls (badly)- a drill that Amy made look easy (something to do with 6 years of gymnastics and only being 16). Sore right arm (resdiually tired from throws and weight training, but also copping a heavy workout for the vault). Capped this off with 4 hours sleep last night as I worked on a deadline, so I could take Louis to the aquarium today.

Very sore and sorry today! But very happy at the same time.