An Olympic Odyssey

[tennpolevault]

Since the dropping of Tim's new book, I guess now would be as good a time as ever to re-release the good old Olympic Odyssey vid I made right after the olympics. A little history on it. Since Tim and I had watched about 10 trillion hours of vault video together in the 7 years before those games, I figured a pump up video would be a pretty good way to jack of up his "inner bubka". I made him a 7 minute, very bush league video before the trials. I promised that if he made the team, I would make a more polished and longer version. He made the team and I went back to work on my outdated little computer. The pre olympic movie had 2 versions, the best of which featured "lose yourself" and another song. I sent that copy with Jim BeMiller to be given to Mack in Crete. I promised Mack if he won a medal, I would make a third movie, encapsulating the journey from 2000 to 2004. Obviously, as a stuggling PT student with an outdated computer and limited if any AV equipment, my resources were very limited. I used what I had to produce him this final version. Its about 25 minutes long so hang in there. Some of the stuff may seem really weird but its mostly inside stuff like the quotations, bulldogs and random gladiator scenes.

You can DL it here. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OAI19T0S
Once you reach the link screen, enter the "human code" in the box at the top right. Wait 45 seconds and you should begin the DL. Sorry had to upload the even lower quality version, but its still quite inspirational. Maybe a good addition if your reading the book. I know my vaulters like to watch it to get pumped up.

Go Vols,
Russ

[tmack]

I have to say, Russ is one of the Reasons i had so much confidence in '04. I knew i stayed friends with him for a reason!;) I remember in crete before the olympics, i watched the video he sent to me one time...after that i vowed to watch it only 1 time a day because it got me too fired up...i didnt want my nervous system to be too jacked up for the games!! Those videos were awesome and narrowed my focus even more and just gave me confidence that people had my back, no matter what!! No one knows me better than Russ and he has a lot of quotes in the book. Being roommates for years before the Games, Russ saw what was going on every day!
Dont let him kid you! He had an out-of-date computer, but the video is awesome! He made it in about 20 days. We have a tennessee pole-vault decathalon reunion every year in knoxville where 10-15 teammates meet. In 2004, there were more people because we had the reunion the day i returned from europe after the olympics. Russ had the video ready and we all watched it my living room. one of the coolest things that you can experience...a video about you, watching it in front of friends. Russ is the smartest guy i know and along with being head of a physical therapy clinic, and pole vault coach at Tennessee, he is a whiz on the computer and film-editing. If you get a chance, it is a must-see!
mack

[BethelPV]

Russ and Tim,

What an amazing video!! I really appreciate you guys sharing this with us, and for me it holds a special place in my heart because Tim used to be an NAIA vaulter, as well as my own story im about to share with you guys.

I recently shattered my talus in my heel as well as dislocating my ankle in a Beach Vault in Michigan. Had to have my ankle surgically repaired and am doing physical therapy on it as I write this to get it better. Before I went in for my surgery, the doctor told me that if it didn't go perfect, I would most likely not be able to run like i used to, and almost absolutely would not be able pole vault again, which is where I immediately broke down and started praying that God would guide me and the surgeon through the whole ordeal. When I came out of the surgery the doctor told me that the surgery went as good as it could, but that it would be a very grueling and long process of getting it back into good shape, and that there still was chance that I might not be able to pole vault like I used to, and that was all it took! From that moment on I have set my sights on not only getting back competitively vaulting, but to make it to the Trials in 2008! This video kind of made me emotional to watch, because I feel like I am in the same boat you were a little over 8 years ago Tim. I have had a disappointment, but at the same time I am setting it in my heart that I can do it! Thank you for being a great inspiration to me and for being very cordial the two times I have met you!

Again great video, and thank you soo much for sharing it. It will absolutely stay in my video collection on my computer!

Sincerely,
Zach Burrington ~ 2008 Hopeful

[old vaulter]

A great watch...take the time to download and enjoy the video. we are spoiled here in san diego because we get to watch Tim, Toby and very soon Brad jump on a regular basis. makes it all the more fun to watch when you get to know the jumper.....I dont know how long it took to put together but great job!!!

[tennpolevault]

http://www.viddler.com/explore/tennpolevault/videos/1/

Viddler is a sweet alternative to youtube. Tim O'Hare told me about it. Uses Flash which is higher quality and holds up to 500mb of video (vs. 100mb on youtube). I tried putting this on there in preparation for the Tennessee Pole Vaulter Trailer I am working on. Check it out.
Russ

[Bubba PV]

Can I pay to get a DVD quality version? Awesome job!! Bubba