Vaulting in the COLD?

[colby41]

50 degree temperatures, gusty winds, and rain are difficult conditions for someone who usually vaults in warm weather. I had a meet a couple of weeks ago in these conditions and i was a mess...

the pole vault can last over two hours, and staying warm throughout these conditions, and then de-layering when its time to vault, is quite the shock. anyone got suggestions that could help?

[cdmilton]

Sounds like most of the Minnesota track season. I have my kids wear long under amour on top and bottom. That seems to help them if they have a sweatshirt and a wind suit. A hat and gloves are nice too. I've also seen kids with sleeping bags.

[vault3rb0y]

every 30 minutes or so go jog a lap. It will warm you up and get your lungs ready for heavy breathing in the cold. It will ease the transition into the cold, but eventually you gotta lose the sweats and hope the shot of adrenaline (which for me is greater in the cold) powers you through.

[colby41]

my shin splits keep my from running laps so I might just need to roll the stationary bike out to the track. Haha.

Is it bad to get TOO warm, making it a greater difference in temp when I take my layers off?

[sivaulter]

move to California!!

[colby41]

Haha, I'm actually from Hawaii. So i usually worry about the sun...

[birdi_gurlie]

I can't say much since it isn't REALLY cold where I live in indoor...okay, at least not during this season, last season was pretty cold...I usually wear underarmour-like long-sleeve shirts and leggings. If its really cold, you could bring mittens to change out of between vaults. Also, I wear knee-high socks [the thick ones...fuzzy socks or just not the really thing ones] and if its super cold you could bring a blanket. I've done that at many meets, esp. last season. My mother once brought 2-3 blankets and they were all greatly appreciated. Hope it helps.

[VaultPurple]

50 degrees is cold?

Wear the warm ups between vaults and keep a space heater near by for your hands.

[birdi_gurlie]

50 degrees isn't REALLY cold obv. but if its windy it could be. Like I said, I usually wear underarmour-type leggings and shirt under my other clothes. Wind doesn't get through easily AND the fabric type helps prevent mat burn on my elbows [which I get decently often when vaulting]. I even wear that kind of shirt, long sleeve or 3/4 length, to prevent it during the outdoor season when its warm.

[golfdane]

The boys I train, jumps in sometimes freezing conditions. Unheated track (or rather extremely inadequate), and we had -6 deg celsius last week. They learn to stay warm.

Made the newbie mistake of using low temp vaulting as a measuring stick for buying new poles.

[powerplant42]

For me, my hands are the biggest problem. Not necessarily the coldness in them (but that's no good either), but the dryness makes it tough to grip...

Any solutions other than just breathing on the hands?

[fx]

keep them warm, it helps with the dryness.