Hey Everyone!
So update time: This weekend was really frustrating for me. I was only able to get 12'9 (opening). There are a lot of things that went wrong during my competition and I just did not bring it together. And all weekend I was wracking my brain, on how I managed to fall apart. So with this, I am going to do, in my terms, a type of overhaul on my mindset and training.
This Weekend I have also realized that as I am getting older (don't yell at me for bring the age thing in to this) I am finding my self having to take longer to warm up, to focus on rehab/injury prevention, Longer cool down, good stretching, and yes, I will admit.... Eating healthier. Talking with a fellow aspiring athlete, It is the little things that will make or break an athlete. It will determine the caliber of an athlete. And I Will admit that I have been able to skate through my college and high school career of pole vaulting with minimal effort in these areas. So with this and my Overhaul, I am buckling down on these efforts (and Yes I will be trying to eat healthier too lol). Therefore I can Honestly look back and know that I have put forth every effort possible.
Today during practice I was doing wickets, which some of you may know are specifically spaced mini hurdles set up so that you can work on stride lengths and turnover (the set up just before the jump). And during this coach had an Epiphany on my run. And made me move my step up 5 1/2 feet lol. Which was quite uncomfortable at first, but after several pole runs, we noticed that I was able to get a much better turn over, remove the 'pulling' myself to the box with my run, and not stride out. And with all of this I am able to get a much earlier plant, which will be a huge fix in my vaults, and will allow for a much more efficient transition. So with this I will try to incorporate this newer run tomorrow during practice. I know that it will be very uncomfortable at first and that it will take time to get used to, but "you wont succeed until you go outside your comfort zone."
So with that, It was great to see some good friends this weekend at the IU meet, it was awesome to watch The EMU Lady Eagles compete! And currently I am Looking forward to Hopefully competing at the Meyo invite this weekend! Ill Keep you posted! Thanks for all of your support!!
Jess :)
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Patience, Determination, Desire
Hey Everyone!
So this last week was full of ups and downs. And those downs are more like frustrations. lol. So I felt that all last week I had some pretty good vault practices, and I felt pretty confident going in to my next meet at University of Michigan. Last week I was able to transition to a longer run or a 6 left. And it felt really good to be back on my 6 left. However my coach has told over and over and over again that I tend to swing out in to the pit rather then up. This being a combination of my step being inside as well as me swinging outwards in a attempt to get in to the mats.
So with this I thought I was changing my swing more upwards. But after the meet my cousin had taken a picture and posted to facebook, which I was tagged in. When I looked at it, it totally hit me! What coach was explaining and what I was feeling and doing. That none of what I was doing was what I thought I was doing! Frustrating....absolutely! So seeing this made me very annoyed with my self and vaults and now I can't wait to fix this. I need to fix it in practice and make sure I am actively aware of fixing it during competition.
Any polevaulter can explain how frustrating this sport can be and how someone can explain to you how to change something in your vault, but for some reason you can't seem to get it. And it needs for something internally (either mental and/or physically) to 'click'. And by 'click'- the ability to fully understand/ability to replicate said something. And for each person they need something different for them to have that 'click'. And with this I feel that I fully understand now what my coach has been telling me and I feel that I have a better idea of how to fix said problem.
Soap box moment:
One thing I really strive to do after each meet is to walk away from every competition knowing something that I need to change or work on. Something that I failed at doing while competing and strive to change it so that I can compete better next meet. I truly feel that if you want to fully succeed in something, then you have to always take away something negative from your event and work diligently on changing it. And to be honest about that; I really think this is what drives me the most, knowing that I am always doing something wrong in the vault and there is always something to change! lol. And because the polevault isn't an exact science, and it is always changing, pole vaulters are always changing their vaults, So my vault will never be perfect.... I will be at it for a really long time LOL.
So to step down off my soap box and to summarize, I did not compete as well as I would have liked, and have quite a bit to fix, and more then ever am I more motivated to fix my pole vault. And I really wanted to take the time to state that I am incredibly Grateful and extremely blessed to be where I am at in my life, and to have such amazing support and love from my friends and family! And to have such amazing support from my coaches, and trainers from Eastern Michigan University, and my wonderful Sponsor (Essx Pole vault poles!!). And I would like say good luck to the women Eagles as they (and I) head out to University of Indiana For the Indiana relays this weekend! I am really excited to compete this weekend at IU!
Jess :)
- Oh this past weekend I jumped 13'3 at U of M on a 6 lefts.
Also Kudos to Kiley for a new school record , PR, and taking down my facility record.
As well as Jen For a New PR. Keep it up ladies! Also to Jacob for a PR!
Please keep me posted on Great Performances! Good Luck! :)
So this last week was full of ups and downs. And those downs are more like frustrations. lol. So I felt that all last week I had some pretty good vault practices, and I felt pretty confident going in to my next meet at University of Michigan. Last week I was able to transition to a longer run or a 6 left. And it felt really good to be back on my 6 left. However my coach has told over and over and over again that I tend to swing out in to the pit rather then up. This being a combination of my step being inside as well as me swinging outwards in a attempt to get in to the mats.
So with this I thought I was changing my swing more upwards. But after the meet my cousin had taken a picture and posted to facebook, which I was tagged in. When I looked at it, it totally hit me! What coach was explaining and what I was feeling and doing. That none of what I was doing was what I thought I was doing! Frustrating....absolutely! So seeing this made me very annoyed with my self and vaults and now I can't wait to fix this. I need to fix it in practice and make sure I am actively aware of fixing it during competition.
Any polevaulter can explain how frustrating this sport can be and how someone can explain to you how to change something in your vault, but for some reason you can't seem to get it. And it needs for something internally (either mental and/or physically) to 'click'. And by 'click'- the ability to fully understand/ability to replicate said something. And for each person they need something different for them to have that 'click'. And with this I feel that I fully understand now what my coach has been telling me and I feel that I have a better idea of how to fix said problem.
Soap box moment:
One thing I really strive to do after each meet is to walk away from every competition knowing something that I need to change or work on. Something that I failed at doing while competing and strive to change it so that I can compete better next meet. I truly feel that if you want to fully succeed in something, then you have to always take away something negative from your event and work diligently on changing it. And to be honest about that; I really think this is what drives me the most, knowing that I am always doing something wrong in the vault and there is always something to change! lol. And because the polevault isn't an exact science, and it is always changing, pole vaulters are always changing their vaults, So my vault will never be perfect.... I will be at it for a really long time LOL.
So to step down off my soap box and to summarize, I did not compete as well as I would have liked, and have quite a bit to fix, and more then ever am I more motivated to fix my pole vault. And I really wanted to take the time to state that I am incredibly Grateful and extremely blessed to be where I am at in my life, and to have such amazing support and love from my friends and family! And to have such amazing support from my coaches, and trainers from Eastern Michigan University, and my wonderful Sponsor (Essx Pole vault poles!!). And I would like say good luck to the women Eagles as they (and I) head out to University of Indiana For the Indiana relays this weekend! I am really excited to compete this weekend at IU!
Jess :)
- Oh this past weekend I jumped 13'3 at U of M on a 6 lefts.
Also Kudos to Kiley for a new school record , PR, and taking down my facility record.
As well as Jen For a New PR. Keep it up ladies! Also to Jacob for a PR!
Please keep me posted on Great Performances! Good Luck! :)
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Some Improvements this week :)
Hey all!
I am sorry for a later post, this was the first week of classes and was trying to figure out my schedule. My plan is to put up new posts once to twice a week to keep you updated! So my last post talked about some things that I needed to work on, and this week was just the week to do so.
I am currently learning to initiate my top end of the pole vault more actively. By doing this I hope to remove a pause or hesitation in my vault that some of you may have seen. I am working on shortening my grip as well as being more active with my arms after the cord of the pole (which is very shortly after take off). I was able to be more active with my arms several times this week, and because of that I now know what it feels like to do it correctly. :) and once you figure out the feeling, it is much easier to replicate that action. So my goal now is to continue to replicate it and work on creating a habit of it so that it will become second nature.
Another thing I am working on is pulling out my step. Where a pole vaulter takes off the ground is what is known as their step. And mine is unfortunately too close to the box, which some of you know is significantly painful for your back lol but it also reduces the energy conversion significantly, which basically means you wont jump as high or efficiently. My current step for my five left is supposed to be at around 11ish feet, I am unfortunately consistent at 9'6-10 feet(ouchy!).
I also want to do a Shout out to my sponsor Bruce Caldwell from Essx Pole vault poles for sending me a fantastic new pole bag for my poles! It is bright and amazing! Thank you soo much Bruce for this great pole bag! It will definitely be used well :)
Also my wonderful husband and I are currently working on writing letters to companies for sponsorships or donations. If you know anyone or companies who may be interested in helping us out we would truly appreciate it and will do all that we can to put advertise their company name. Feel free to contact me through email, facebook, or posts bellow. And again I really appreciate all of the support and help from everyone! It means a lot to me to have so many friends and family!
My Email: heming.j.way@gmail.com
Talk to you guys soon!
Jess :)
I am sorry for a later post, this was the first week of classes and was trying to figure out my schedule. My plan is to put up new posts once to twice a week to keep you updated! So my last post talked about some things that I needed to work on, and this week was just the week to do so.
I am currently learning to initiate my top end of the pole vault more actively. By doing this I hope to remove a pause or hesitation in my vault that some of you may have seen. I am working on shortening my grip as well as being more active with my arms after the cord of the pole (which is very shortly after take off). I was able to be more active with my arms several times this week, and because of that I now know what it feels like to do it correctly. :) and once you figure out the feeling, it is much easier to replicate that action. So my goal now is to continue to replicate it and work on creating a habit of it so that it will become second nature.
Another thing I am working on is pulling out my step. Where a pole vaulter takes off the ground is what is known as their step. And mine is unfortunately too close to the box, which some of you know is significantly painful for your back lol but it also reduces the energy conversion significantly, which basically means you wont jump as high or efficiently. My current step for my five left is supposed to be at around 11ish feet, I am unfortunately consistent at 9'6-10 feet(ouchy!).
I also want to do a Shout out to my sponsor Bruce Caldwell from Essx Pole vault poles for sending me a fantastic new pole bag for my poles! It is bright and amazing! Thank you soo much Bruce for this great pole bag! It will definitely be used well :)
Also my wonderful husband and I are currently working on writing letters to companies for sponsorships or donations. If you know anyone or companies who may be interested in helping us out we would truly appreciate it and will do all that we can to put advertise their company name. Feel free to contact me through email, facebook, or posts bellow. And again I really appreciate all of the support and help from everyone! It means a lot to me to have so many friends and family!
My Email: heming.j.way@gmail.com
Talk to you guys soon!
Jess :)
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Starting out
MY NEW BLOG :)
Hey everyone, So this is my new Blog, I have been working on setting up. This new Blog will help you keep tabs on where I am at and what I have been up to in my Journey to reaching the Olympic trails and in becoming an elite pole vaulter. I am also setting this blog up in helping with raising financial assistance with my traveling to meets, I am Looking for sponsorships and or donations that will assist me in reaching my goals to travel to some spectacular meets such as the Olympic trails, championships, and many more fun meets!
To Bring everyone up to date:
I have been training 5 days a week now since September with the Eastern Michigan Track and Field team along with be a volunteer assistant coach. I am being coached by a great and very knowledgeable coach named Jerel Langley (who thankfully has a lot of patients lol). I am currently being sponsored by an amazing company! ESSX POLE VAULT POLES, who has so graciously supplied me with some great equipment! And I cannot stress how amazing their poles are to jump on! They have gotten me to some awesome new heights and will continue to help me shatter the 14 foot barrier and hopefully power through to the 15's :)
FIRST MEET OF 2012:
January 7th was my first meet, which was held at University of Michigan. It was a small meet but I love jumping there because they have been very efficient with running the pole vault. I was on a shorter approach of 5 lefts and was able to clear 12'9.5. this was a PR (personal record) for my short approach. My main goals for this particular meet was to incorporate a much faster and consistent run for my jump. Which I felt that I successfully accomplish, however with some minor tweaks. I would have liked to have jumped into the 13's, however I did not accomplish an adequate swing and extension as I would have liked. Knowing this I now know what to work on for the next meet :).
I will post a schedule of my events soon, and will keep you further updated on my thoughts and my accomplishments through out my journey! Thank you to all of my followers/supporters, and most of all my sponsor!
Jess :)
Hey everyone, So this is my new Blog, I have been working on setting up. This new Blog will help you keep tabs on where I am at and what I have been up to in my Journey to reaching the Olympic trails and in becoming an elite pole vaulter. I am also setting this blog up in helping with raising financial assistance with my traveling to meets, I am Looking for sponsorships and or donations that will assist me in reaching my goals to travel to some spectacular meets such as the Olympic trails, championships, and many more fun meets!
To Bring everyone up to date:
I have been training 5 days a week now since September with the Eastern Michigan Track and Field team along with be a volunteer assistant coach. I am being coached by a great and very knowledgeable coach named Jerel Langley (who thankfully has a lot of patients lol). I am currently being sponsored by an amazing company! ESSX POLE VAULT POLES, who has so graciously supplied me with some great equipment! And I cannot stress how amazing their poles are to jump on! They have gotten me to some awesome new heights and will continue to help me shatter the 14 foot barrier and hopefully power through to the 15's :)
FIRST MEET OF 2012:
January 7th was my first meet, which was held at University of Michigan. It was a small meet but I love jumping there because they have been very efficient with running the pole vault. I was on a shorter approach of 5 lefts and was able to clear 12'9.5. this was a PR (personal record) for my short approach. My main goals for this particular meet was to incorporate a much faster and consistent run for my jump. Which I felt that I successfully accomplish, however with some minor tweaks. I would have liked to have jumped into the 13's, however I did not accomplish an adequate swing and extension as I would have liked. Knowing this I now know what to work on for the next meet :).
I will post a schedule of my events soon, and will keep you further updated on my thoughts and my accomplishments through out my journey! Thank you to all of my followers/supporters, and most of all my sponsor!
Jess :)
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