We finally got the pit up and can start jumping when come back after spring break. Yesterday, I worked on regaining my balance with my pole and building up my endurance. I also worked on the basics of my takeoff and turn. To work on my takeoff and turn I stand the pole straight up and reach as high as I can. Then I run a couple steps, plant the pole on the ground and jump up, letting the pole carry me and twisting my right foot over my left, which in turn twists my body. To work on my endurance and balance I ran 35 yards over and over with my pole in hand. I worked on running as fast as I can and planting the pole on the ground and jumping as high as I can. This will help me to gain balance and increase my ability to explode on my takeoff.

So, we had our first meet last week. It was not a very good day for pole vaulting! I only cleared 7ft. It seemed like I forgot everything I had learned about vaulting...my runway was all messed up as well as my hand grip. The standards were almost never where they were supposed to be... Not having a coach there to tell the people that run the pit where to set our standards is going to really mess us up this season! I can't wait until we can actually get to practicing so I can be more prepared for our first outdoor meet on the 15th!

Track season starts today, I'm so excited! Although we are unable to practice pole vault until the snow clears. For the first week or so I'm just going to focus on shot put. At our first meet, on the 25th, I will be able to throw shot put as well as pole vault. Our first meet is an indoor meet at Michigan State University. It's called the Play-maker's meet and is usually for the top three people in each event. Typically only returning people get to attend that meet... unless you're really good. This will be my third year attending this meet. It is so fun; you get to see your competition and be in the track atmosphere for the first time that season. I am super optimistic about this year being as successful as last year... if not more successful. I plan on making it to states. That is my goal for this season!

     Kalei and I did not end up going to the pole vault camp this weekend due to horrible road conditions. Track season starts in a week from today. I just finished gymnastics season and can't wait for track to start! I am so excited for pole vault this year, I actually have a great chance of making it to states!
     Last year I finished the season 6 inches below state qualifying height and this year the qualifying height should be a little bit lower. They choose the qualifying height according to how the vaulters jumped at states the previous year. They take the lowest height cleared at states and make that the qualifying height for the next season.

So, my upper back is healed and I am ready for track season to start! Kalei and I are going to be attending the camp in Indiana one more time before the season starts. I hope I can improve even more!

I have injured my back pretty bad in gymnastics... I keep landing on the gymnastics vault on my back. Coach is just now offering to teach me how to do a 1/2 on so I have no possibility of hitting my back anymore. I wish she would have offered it sooner... I really hope that my injury doesn't cause any problems for track season! If I have to, I'm willing to give up gymnastics in order to save my pole vault career!

Kalei and I went to a pole vault camp in Indiana a couple of weeks ago. We were coached by a man who holds 10 world records in his age group and has been to the Olympic Trials twice. He changed EVERYTHING about the way we jump! Before the camp, we used to count our steps to figure where we would start on the runway. Now we have a midpoint and a specific starting point on the measuring tape. We got to the camp around 9:30am and left around 5pm. After jumping for 7 hours Kalei and I were completely exhausted and incredibly sore! Although we were tired and sore, we still had an amazing time and learned a lot. We plan to attend this camp at least two more times before the beginning of Track season!