Trials and Tribulations

I have had a horrible season this year! I have been injured most of the season and have not been able to get my body to do what it needs to. So far, my runway is where it needs to be; I start off slow and go faster and faster until, at the end of my runway, I'm at full speed. My plant is also where it needs to be; I plant the pole in the box and take my last step at almost the exact same time. Where my problems come in is everything after my plant. I do not explode off the ground, drive my knee or turn in mid flight to get over the bar. I don't have a problem with doing this for my short runways; but have me do a long runway and it all falls apart. So far, I have only cleared 8ft... My school record is 9ft.... I only have a couple of more chances to improve before the season is over. All I need to do is explode on my takeoff, drive my knee until I'm upside down and turn my body before my pole hits 90 degrees.

ALL CONFERENCE!

Today was the CAAC conference meet. I got a new season PR (personal record) in pole vault. I jumped 8ft and placed either 7th or 8th. I need to step it up and at least jump 9ft by the end of the season! On one of my attempts I hit the crossbar off the standards and landed right on it with my hip. It actually broke skin and bruised immediately... great spot to have an open wound... right where my pants rub. I PR'd in discus and became an All Conference Discus thrower for the second year in a row! Woo hoo, I'm so excited! I threw 97'7"!

CAAC

Tonight is our CAAC conference meet. It is going to be held here at Jackson High at 3:30. At our last meet, on Tuesday, coach was there and he ended up moving me up on the pole and changing my runway to 6 steps, with my new hand grip, on my last attempt at 8 feet. I was not able to make it because I did not get my legs up fast enough and turn... That seems to be my biggest problem this year. It was just Kalei and I vaulting because Eastern did not have any vaulters so we just treated it more like a practice. We also practiced a little bit after the competition was over since coach was actually there and ready to help us. It is making me so mad that I can't get my legs up and turn. Hopefully I can get it by Regionals!