Not too late to start pole vaulting again!

[Mike Ritter]

That is great Larry! You beat me by 8 more years in your return. I've been at 4 or 5 practices so far and it has been a blast. I've found a good coach and I'm taking it slow - just drills and such for now. I'm looking forward to the indoor season in January - February to actually vault at a meet again. All the best to you. M.

[fishman4god]

Welcome back enjoy and be safe....................also jump high!

[larry d]

Thanks for the encouragement. It's really appreciated.

Now I can't wait until the winter jumping starts !
L.

[Bubba PV]

Exciting Larry!! Welcome back and great to have you. We've been waiting for you! ;-) Lots of good jumping up your way! Bubba

[larry d]

Hey, thanks Bubba, it's great to get that encouragement from you and the others...what a fine brotherhood this must be.
I'm brand new here and yet I feel welcome and at home already !
Sincerely,Larry

[Mike Ritter]

It has now been about 5 weeks and about 8 or 9 practices into my second vaulting career. Been fortunate to find good local coaching, and also had 3 great sessions in Boulder CO, with coaches and/or participants like John Carmony, Pat Manson, Rory Quiller, Brenda Bumgardner, Andrew Zollner and Kenley Brunsdale - the Above the Bar Track Club - awesome. Also no injuries so far besides the occasional soreness in spots after practices, and I plan to keep it that way.

Drills, drills, drills mainly but I did get a shot at a 7 foot or so tall bungee yesterday that the coach said I cleared by a foot easily. Encouraging, but just a start. Actually felt good to do a real vault again. I'm also working on my speed with workouts a couple of times a week to supplement pole vault practice. I plan on participating in the sprints too.

Looking forward to continued practice as CO weather permits, and possibly an indoor meet in January or February.

[rainbowgirl28]

Mike, definitely try to come to the Pole Vault Summit! There are lots of masters vaulters there, it's a really good time

[Mike Ritter]

Mike, definitely try to come to the Pole Vault Summit! There are lots of masters vaulters there, it's a really good time

.
Sounds like fun - I'll look into it.

[Mike Ritter]

My coach says to get in a year of training before going to the Pole Vault Summit. Plus, it coincides with our first indoor meet of the season at The Air Force Academy - apparently an awesome place to pole vault.

[vaultmd]

You should think about coming whether or not you intend to vault. I don't think I've jumped since the 2000 Summit.

[Mike Ritter]

First real clearance today at practice. Used an actual bar and not a bungee. We measured it twice and it was a full 8'6". Had cleared 8' first. First real clearances since 1974 and it felt great. Just a start though - tons more work to do but I'm pleased with that progress after only 2 months vaulting again. Looking forward to my first meet on 12/15/12, which will be indoors. Starting to get cooler here so practice time will be cut back for sure.

[fishman4god]

Good job mike keep at it......great start!