Oh Boy...

Well its been a month since my last post and I have to apologize. But, at least I have many valid excuses as to why.

1. Moved into new house
2. Got a black lab puppy
3. I was knocked on my butt with back spasms for a week
4. Just recently got our internet hooked up

Most of these things have brought excitement to my life but have brought along with them stress.  I planned on taking about 2 weeks off to gear up for the outdoor season but after my back seized up my break turned into 3 weeks.  Ive been back training hard now for about 2 weeks, heavy lifting, gymnastics, and technique training in the vault.  So I know its been a while so ill just recap on USA's and tell you a little bit about whats been going on with training and whats next to come.

My last post was written the morning of the USA National Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. And as most of you know, I ended up winning the meet. The morning of the meet, I was very confident in my abilities and the work I have put in. So I had a plan of coming in at 5.40, passing to 5.60, 5.72, and 5.82.  Even though things got a little crazy, I was proud that I stuck to the plan, even tho I didnt get the height i wanted I am very happy about winning a second national title.

After nationals my plan was to jump once at Notre Dame the next week and then travel to Minneapolis for a meet put on by Fuzion Athletics, and then call it a great indoor season and take a little break.  Well  I jumped at Notre Dame from 8 lefts because they dont have enough runway for me to run from my long run.  I wasnt expecting a whole lot from the meet because we had moved into our house that week and so i had been doing a lot of lifting and not much actual working out or practicing.  Well I ended up surprising myself and jumped 5.63m/18'5" a new indoor best!


After that meet I decided it would be a great idea to do some painting as a little job. Well I ended up having to move the furniture in the rooms and after finishing 2 rooms and having only 1 to go my back started spasming like crazy. I have had spasms before but never like this, so my hopes of jumping at the meet in Minneapolis were gone.

But for the last 2 weeks ive been feeling good, we're back lifting hard and ive been back to gymnastics getting my core strength stronger.  Vaulting has been going well, figuring some things out and really looking forward to this outdoor season.  My first meet is April 16th at the Mt. Sac Relays in L.A. California.  After that I will be competing at the Drake Mall Vault on April 27th and then the Drake Relays that following weekend.

Well I apologize for taking so long to update this, and hopefully now that Ive caught up a bit I can write on a consistent basis as i was before.  Until next time here is another video from practice last week.



Always Pursuing -Mark-