PP42's Senior Year Training Blog

[powerplant42]

It's just not realistic... especially money-wise. I wish it were.

Although if PVP wants to donate to my cause, I'd be willing to pay monthly membership fees!

Actually had a workout today... Had some of the best feeling pole runs I've ever had. Film very soon.

[rainbowgirl28]

If you think you can find the time and transportation to go out to either place at some point, it is worth talking to the coach about the finances. Most coaches are willing to work with you, most would hate to see money be the only thing to keep an athlete away. If you can find another paying customer to go with you, you'll help your case.

[IAmTheWalrus]

You may want to give practice at the PG center another try. I know of your experience, but I think if you go in there with lower expectations, and build a relationship with the coach first, he will feel more comfortable speaking with you about technical issues. I've heard a lot of things about this coach, but one thing everyone has said is that he really cares about his kids' success. I think if you can listen to a lot of the posts on this topic, and swallow your pride a bit, you may be very successful working with him. I plan on starting to work with him in a few weeks or so, so I might see you there if you decide to do it.

[powerplant42]

It turns out I was totally wrong about driving time to Hip Athletics... only 1h20m away. I remember that I searched it a long time ago and I guess I just remembered incorrectly (or maybe remembered round-trip as one-way). That changes things quite a bit. I'll see what I can do... My schedule is pretty ridiculous, but I can probably squeeze in some spots for trips up there every now and then. I'll definitely be entering some open meets too though.

Took film of some full runs today... They didn't feel quite as good as yesterday's, but still not all that bad. However, my run is substantially shorter than it was last season! It was about 108' and now it's 92' (pole/grip included). Maybe it's just fatigue from yesterday? I'm not sure. I'll put it up this weekend with some other stuff.

[rainbowgirl28]

It turns out I was totally wrong about driving time to Hip Athletics... only 1h20m away. I remember that I searched it a long time ago and I guess I just remembered incorrectly (or maybe remembered round-trip as one-way). That changes things quite a bit. I'll see what I can do... My schedule is pretty ridiculous, but I can probably squeeze in some spots for trips up there every now and then. I'll definitely be entering some open meets too though.

Took film of some full runs today... They didn't feel quite as good as yesterday's, but still not all that bad. However, my run is substantially shorter than it was last season! It was about 108' and now it's 92' (pole/grip included). Maybe it's just fatigue from yesterday? I'm not sure. I'll put it up this weekend with some other stuff.

That's a new location for HIP, so if you were remembering from last year, it was probably their old location.

How many lefts is that on your run? Maybe you were overstriding a lot last year.


Earlier in the thread you made the argument that jumping in a meet was just as good as going to a practice. I would argue that for a vaulter w/o a coach, at this point in the season, going to a supervised practice is way better for you than a meet. At a meet you can't watch film of yourself jumping, and the number of jumps you get is limited.

[joebro391]

I drove between 1 1/2 hours and 2 1/2 to practice, to and from practice, 2-3 times/week, for 6 months, WITH classes...i'm just saying. If you want it bad enough, you'll fit it in to your schedule. It'll only help. -6P

[KirkB]

I drove between 1 1/2 hours and 2 1/2 to practice, to and from practice, 2-3 times/week, for 6 months, WITH classes...i'm just saying. If you want it bad enough, you'll fit it in to your schedule. It'll only help. -6P

I can't top the dedication that 6P (and others) have shown, but back in 1967-68 ... in my final 2 years of HS ... I drove (or quite often my HS coach drove me) about 1.5 hours from Abbotsford to Vancouver (and another 1.5 hours back) every Sunday morning during track season ... rain or shine ... to be coached by the top vault coach in BC ... at the only track that had a decent foam pit (in Stanley Park) ... while my HS buddies were sleeping in, going to church, playing flag football, or cruising "the strip".

I'm just saying ...

Kirk

[powerplant42]

Haha! Thanks KB... makin' me feel like a wuss!

Nah I saw a thread or something on Hip Athletics moving to Elkton some time ago and for some reason I thought I'd read 3 hours... Probably just remembered the round-trip time as the one-way time.

I'll see what I can do. I can't make promises with my schedule... NOT looking for excuses... it's just that a LOT of people depend on me for a LOT of different things.

I'll put up the film soon... I'm hoping it was just because I was tired today.

[rainbowgirl28]

I drove between 1 1/2 hours and 2 1/2 to practice, to and from practice, 2-3 times/week, for 6 months, WITH classes...i'm just saying. If you want it bad enough, you'll fit it in to your schedule. It'll only help. -6P

I can't top the dedication that 6P (and others) have shown, but back in 1967-68 ... in my final 2 years of HS ... I drove (or quite often my HS coach drove me) about 1.5 hours from Abbotsford to Vancouver (and another 1.5 hours back) every Sunday morning during track season ... rain or shine ... to be coached by the top vault coach in BC ... at the only track that had a decent foam pit (in Stanley Park) ... while my HS buddies were sleeping in, going to church, playing flag football, or cruising "the strip".

I'm just saying ...

Kirk

And now I hear that Abbotsford has an indoor vaulting facility!

[KirkB]

And now I hear that Abbotsford has an indoor vaulting facility!

Yes, I just talked to my HS coach this past weekend, and practices have started again. Also gymnastic practices in a REAL gym, with REAL rings, highbar ... the works. Abby has grown into a PV mecca ... sorta ... since I left.

I'm trying to get Pogo Stick to come on out for practice there, but he has to travel from downtown Vancouver, plus he's in the middle of his soccer season ... him and his twins. We digress ... this is PP's thread.

Kirk

[Pogo Stick]

And now I hear that Abbotsford has an indoor vaulting facility!

Yes, I just talked to my HS coach this past weekend, and practices have started again. Also gymnastic practices in a REAL gym, with REAL rings, highbar ... the works. Abby has grown into a PV mecca ... sorta ... since I left.

I'm trying to get Pogo Stick to come on out for practice there, but he has to travel from downtown Vancouver, plus he's in the middle of his soccer season ... him and his twins. We digress ... this is PP's thread.

Kirk

Sorry PP, but I need to share this with you guys.
Here is our afternoon schedule for current week, which is pretty much typical. Of course, kids are also going to regular school and we are both working full time:
- Monday and Tuesday: I am working to 10PM
- Tuesday: Luka has acting class
- Wednesday: power skating for both and hockey development practice for Filip
- Thursday: Filip has team practice, I am playing soccer with friends (and having few beers after that)
- Saturday: Filip has hockey game, both kids have piano lessons. Luka is going to birthday party
- Sunday: Filip has hockey practice (or game - I don't recall)
Friday is free but not anymore. Starting this week we are going to Gymnastics - family drop-in at UBC.
I am lucky if I can do some practice on Wednedsay or Saturday. It is raining last 2 weeks here in Vancouver, so when I am free I am doing pullups and abs at playground under the Cambi bridge. I am also doing pushups, squats and deadlifts in apartment using old car battery and my kids and wife as weight.
I need to find some pole for drills and very soon will need to add pole vaulting, so Abbotsford or Bellingham are the only options for me (1-1.5 hour drive one way).
Not bad, eh?

[KirkB]

Sorry PP, but I need to share this with you guys ...

... I am lucky if I can do some practice on Wednedsay or Saturday. ... when I am free I am doing pullups and abs at playground under the Cambie bridge. I am also doing pushups, squats and deadlifts in apartment using old car battery and my kids and wife as weight.

I need to find some pole for drills and very soon will need to add pole vaulting, so Abbotsford or Bellingham are the only options for me (1-1.5 hour drive one way) ...

I love the part about using an old car battery and you wife as weight! How creative! My wife would never go for something like that!

Hmm ... somehow, this tangent suddenly became relavent to PP! You see PP, we all make sacrifices ... it just depends on how bad you want it!

But maybe more to the point ... you have limited TIME and MONEY (don't we all?) ... so you need to spend that time and money WISELY ... which I appreciate that you're TRYING to do. But maybe ... just MAYBE ... you aren't balancing (or planning to balance) your time & money OPTIMALLY ... given your current training situation.

Don't give me an argumentative comeback. Instead, take this advice to heart, and think about more focus on getting good hands-on advice from a PERSONAL coach, and less of what you've been doing (or what you said you plan to do). I think you've already BEGUN to realize this, so sorry if I'm preaching to the choir. Just on the basis that you started this thread to SEEK OUT our advice, you should NOT argue with it ... since YOU ASKED FOR IT!

I'm not saying specifically go to Hip Athletics to train ... I don't know them from a hole in the ground ... I'm just saying focus on finding a personal coach ... ANY coach!

Kirk