baggettpv wrote:To only 5.50 men and 4.40 women.
Can you make a short list of facets you have that are good where you train and a short list of things you could use but aren't available where you train.
Like: Facilities, Gymnastics, Poles, Coach, medical staff etc. Add anything I might have left off.
Thanks,
Rick Baggett
WSTC
I'm one of the guys that is always on the bubble, "fills the field" and just refuses to quit because I know I'm better than what I've shown. I've only jumped 5.60m and I generally have a few jumps over 5.50m every year (except last year, but I don't want to talk about that)
Here are some of my thoughts....
I have to work two part time jobs. The reason I don't work full time anymore is because I could never get vacation for meets, and I was having a difficult time jumping at night for obvious reasons. So now I work part-time at a newspaper, and as a D-1 coach. This allows me to travel more (unpaid) and I still have an income I can survive on (barely). Over the years I have chased around looking for good meets (good conditions and competitors) in that time I have accumulated thousands of dollars in credit card debt that I only use to travel (and I travel like a bum, we're talking oatmeal, tuna, ramen noodles, hitching rides, borrowing poles at times and sleeping bags). So I have to constantly work to try and pay that off.
If I have a hard day at work, I can't go to the track and jump well. It sucks the life energy right out of me. And I can't plan jump days around work days because I never know what will be thrown at me.
The Most fit and confident i've ever been, hands down.....
Years ago I got caught up in a bit of an event scandal down in south africa. Long story short I found myself in Africa In december in 100 degree weather and got to stay for a month training and living for free. I trained 7 days a week twice with 3 balanced meals a day through christmas and even new years. I became a "full-time" athlete, and it felt amazing. I felt amazingly strong and fast by the end of the month, my confidence was soaring, and I was rolling over bigger poles than ever.
Guess what happened....I came back the US, went back to work, lost confidence and strength in weeks and had a mediocre season. I haven't had a chance to be a full-time athlete since, and I strive everyday to get my debt paid and keep my fitness up in hopes that some day I can become that athlete again and finally be truly great.
To answer Rick.
-I get in a gymnastics room once a week
-I have access to an outdoor facility and weight room year round.
-The weather in Idaho is rough, we can be indoors with limited hours from end of November through Mid February (which is not near enough time inside as it can snow here Oct-April. I've left for Mount Sac in snow storms more than once.
-I have most of the poles I need since the University stills allows me to train here.
-I have a great coach, who coached me through college as well.
-I can sometimes sneak in doctor visits but I haven't had medical insurance for almost 6 years now, and can't afford it, so that's been challenging.
-Traveling to meets is challenging. The nearest major airport that flies poles is 2.5 hours away, and the roads can be a little scary from late October-April as i said before. And meets in this region are hit and miss weather wise, with no competition or crowd.
Also I think the collegiate season is a crutch. Its confusing on the body and mind for us post-college folk. But how else are we supposed to get marks? I feel that we miss valuable training time resting for early meets we're not ready for, because we are chasing around trying to get a mark for USA's. Then we are supposed to be at our peak mid to late summer if we expect to make any money, or get into prestigious competitions.
Anyway, back to work.
-Litchfield out