Millrose cont.

Well I just got back from NYC last night after a very successful trip to the Millrose Games.  On not only my first Millrose Games but also my first trip to New York City I came away with the win!  I am of course very happy with the way it ended up but also with the way I jumped.  I felt really good on the runway in warm-ups and I ended up having to back up about 2 feet.  I was able to get on the biggest pole Ive on this year in warm-ups so i was confident I could start at 18'.  My first jump at 18' i was holding a little low so the pole unbent really quick, luckily i was able to get up and over the bar, I hit in on the way down a bit but after some wobbling it stayed up.  The bar went up to 18'4" or 5.60m, I made the adjustment i needed by moving my grip up on the pole which allowed me to get into a better position and it was an easy make.

When the bar went up to 18'8 there were still 4 people left in the comp; Tim Mack who was looking the best he has in a couple of years, Derek Miles who is always capable of jumping 19, Renaud Levillenie who made 18' by about a foot and a half, and myself, so in no way did I expect to win with my make at 18'4".  I decided it was as good a time as any to move up to my new poles which i had never jumped on before.  I had a really good jump on my first attempt and hit the bar on my way up.  I decided to go up to my next pole thinking that if i could get on it i would make the bar easily, well the pole had different plans and I didnt quite roll it over enough to get a good jump on it.  My third attempt i decided to go back to the smaller pole, up my grip and push the standards back.  I ended up hitting the bar on my way up again and i was out.  Now Derek and I are tied for first on misses, on his second jump his calf seized up and had to pull out of the competition.  Renaud somehow barely hit the bar off on all three of his attempts so by rule i was declared the winner. 

After the competition i was interviewed on the big screen and then taken back to the press area to be interviewed by reporters, then i had to go and get drug tested which is always a fun time. That night i went out a bit with Tim Mack and Becky Holiday which was a lot of fun. 

Now Im back at home nursing my calf, hope to get a good week of practice in before heading to Boston for the Reebok Indoor Games on Saturday, maybe this time i will get some TV time.  Saturday 8-10pm et.

Always Pursuing
-Mark-

Win at Millrose!

So I won at Millrose! Jumped 18 5 on my first attempt, ill write more later but for now here's a picture of me and Tim Mack, 2004 Gold medalist
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GVSU 1/23/10

Im really happy with how the meet went, I only ended up jumping 17'9" but since i have been out with injury for a week and a half I cant be disappointed.  I went into the meet wanting to feel out my run and make sure i was comfortable with it before next week, and i picked up right were i left off last year at nationals.  It was only my 3rd time back at the long run so I was really happy i was able to get on the poles that i did, I wasn't able to get on any of my new poles but im confident that next week i will be able to jump on them no problem. 

I made 17'9" on my second attempt after running through on my first.  I put the bar to 18'0" and had a great jump on my first attempt but the pole was too small so i hit the bar on my way up.  Went up a pole on my second attempt and something didnt feel right on takeoff so i rode the pole into the pit.  My third attempt was pretty good I tookoff around 13'3" which is just a little under for me, had about 7 inches over the bar and just came down on it.  I think with a couple of practices this week i will be more than ready for Friday at Millrose, cant wait!

Always Pursuing
-Mark-

Grand Valley State

Tonight will be my first meet back at my long run, my back is finally feeling good and Im really excited about getting some heights underneath me.  I hope to have videos posted tonight after the meet so you can check em out.  Wish me luck!
 
Always Pursuing
-Mark-

feeling good

Today is the best ive felt for a week and a half , practice today went really well, my approach felt great.   I also found out today that I will be jumping at the Boston Indoor Games on February 6th. 

Always Pursuing
-Mark-

Tuesday

Well I am feeling much better, I was able to jump yesterday from 4 lefts and my back loosened up the more i jumped.  Right now were working on once my swing comes through on speeding up my hips so that im in a better position once the pole starts to unbend.  I was able to help out the jumpers over at Notre Dame today, those guys are always improving and looking better.  I am jumping tomorrow from long run so i might get some videos up. 

I am planning on jumping this weekend at Grand Valley State University, it will be my first meet from my long run.  ONU will also be there so it will be fun to see some old teammates and coaches. 
Always Pursuing
-Mark-

On the road

I'm driving back from Lafayette for the 3rd time this week. Dr. Van Matre from Indy spine and rehab has done some great things to get me back on my feet. I am feeling better, if monday was 100% then today I'm at about 45% so at least I'm improving. I also have to give a shoutout to the athletic training staff at Bethel college and to Dr. Jerry and the girls at Hofferth Chiropractic in Mishawaka for all their help. I'm hoping to be back Monday for vault practice and be able to get a meet in next weekend, I'll keep you posted on how it goes and where I'm jumping next week.
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Well my back has been killing me for the last couple of days, also Notre Dame's runway is not long enough for my long run. So I will not be competing this weekend, I apologize to anyone who was planning on coming to the meet but hopefully there will be more opportunities in the future. I've spent the last 3 days sleeping on the floor, getting massaged and adjusted, and icing my back all of which have had little to no affect. Anyway ill let you know on the progress hopefully ill be back at next week.
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Milrose Games

Its official I will be competing in the Milrose Games in New York City on the 29th of January .  Im super pumped about not only competing against some of the best in the world but this will be my first visit to NYC.  You can check out the website at wwwMilrose-games.com j

Always Pursuing
-Mark-

Ouch im hurting

So I really like my coach, he's a great guy, hes very smart and knowledgeable but some days I really despise him.  Days like today when my legs and back feel as if someone took a sledgehammer and wailed on them for an hour. This is just a typical day in my life about once every other week, my coach has me do some excruciating workout which makes me wake up the next day cursing him and this sport i love to hate so much. 
Heres what yesterday looked like:
1:30pm Vault Practice, 3x6step, 2x8step, 7x18step working on run and marks
3:30pm Stopped by my chiropractor Dr. Jerry Hofferth
4:00pm 4x Squat Spectrum ( hold deep squat for 30sec, 6 frog squats slow, 6 frog squats fast, then 3 vertical jumps all while holding a 100lb weight)
4:30pm 2x5 Three step squat ( 145lb on squat rack, squat very deep then come back up half the way, back down to deep and up to 3/4, back down deep and all the way up x5)
5:00pm 3x5 bubkas with 65lbs strapped on waist

Yeah so waking up today hurt a lot.  I have a couple of videos from yesterday that i will try to upload later. 
Today we have gymnastics, then another workout in which i will probably shed some tears of pain haha.  Even though i complain about the workouts a little i know that i have to train this way if i want to be the best. 

Always Pursuing
-Mark-

upcoming schedule kind of...

Well I found out today i will more than likely be jumping at the Milrose meet in New York City on January 31st and possibly at the Reebok invitational in Boston the week after that.  This is still up in the air so dont get your hopes up too much but i might even get some TV time.

Always Pursuing
-Mark-

back at it

Woooo its been a nice long vacation but now its time to get back to work. Today I had my first vault practice since before Christmas so it was good to be back at it. Today we practiced my long run, 9 steps, on the track to make sure my marks were on and would be ready to go when we take it to the runway on Wednesday.
Sunday, Amanda and I went to Chicago to a SkyJumpers pole vault camp that Jan Johnson puts on every year. Ive coached a bunch of his camps and thought Id go back to see him and other coaches. My college coach Wally Cramer was there and is doing well. It was good to see everyone and help out some kids.
Next Friday will be my first meet from a long run! Im jumping at Notre Dame on the 15th. It should be a great time and I have high expectations. It would be awesome for any of you to come and check it out but if you cant make it I will be sure to get videos posted as soon as I can.