Something to ease the practice pain...

[LHSpolevault]

Okay... everyone knows that the adrenaline rush takes you over during a meet and you rarely feel pain.

This is how I am, but when I'm at practice... I feel the worst possible pain in my lower right leg, and I can never do any full runs to take any full jumps. I've been trying to transition onto some new poles and truth be told, I haven't even jumped on them yet b/c I can never get in a full run b/c of the pain. I've mainly been able to just do some 3L drills with a short grip.

I was thinking that maybe during my next meet if I get up to the heights where I'd usually get out at, it be okay to then hop on the next pole. I'll be starting on a 13'3" 150 Altius (thanks Doug) and would end up moving onto a 14' 145 UCS. The grip change would only end up being like 5" or so. Any thoughts to this? Or what I could do for practices?

Thanks!
-Ross.

[Ming3r]

Take a little bit of time off (IMO) to let it heal - heat whatever is necessary; you'll feel better when you come back a day or two later.

Works for me anyways, except for some spots around my knees...

[bvpv07]

Figure out what is wrong before you make it worse and HAVE to take time off.

Believe me, I've got experience in this particular area.

[nitro]

dont worry worry about what is going on while vaulting... think about taking some time off and let it heal because you dont want it to be a nagging injury for a long time but if u do take time off from running on it hit the weight room hard and do a lot of drills that dont hurt the leg

[LHSpolevault]

Thanks for the input... sucks b/c this is a tough decision whether or not to take time off.. if I do, it's like a 15pt sway in our meets. Idk, I'll have to sit down with my coach and talk it over.

It's weird b/c I don't feel the pain during meets.

[bvpv07]

you don't feel it at all?

When my navicular was broken, I wouldn't feel it while I was vaulting...but, man, once I stepped off of those pits....

[LHSpolevault]

I feel zero pain when I'm vaulting during meets... it's weird I know.

[nitro]

dont make the decision based on what your coach wants base it on what ur body needs

[LHSpolevault]

thanks corey.

[AKell]

remember, even if you take time of you can still train in other ways. I had a lower back injury and used the time off to pound the bike and bench a lot- when I came back 3 weeks later my leg press was up 50 and my bench improved 15. It sucks, but you can capitalize on the time you have off.

What's a navicular? (i've just never heard of it b/f)

[bvpv07]

It's the bone that goes across the top of your ankle joint...sorry, I can't really describe it any better. Just look at where your foot goes into joining your leg at the front, it's right on top there and it goes across.