Jessie Gallaher biding her time

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregon ... thispage=2

Biding her time: Former Concordia pole vaulter Jessie Gallaher is juggling her training around a schedule that includes coaching, working as a campus monitor for the North Clackamas School District's Sabin-Schellenberg Skills Center and hawking a calendar featuring photos of her that she hopes will defray expenses.

The two-time NAIA champion, who has a best of 13-91/2, has been hampered with a nagging Achilles' heel problem.

"It's very frustrating at this point in the season," she said. "I haven't been able to get on the runway every session and vault as much as I want to."

So, Gallaher has channeled her frustration into strength work and drills.

"I've had a chance to build a good base," she said. "I think when you face obstacles it helps you in the long run, because the frustration is a good source of motivation."

Especially when Gallaher keeps the big picture in mind.

"Even though I want to go super high now, I'd rather be going higher than I've ever gone right before the Olympic Trials," she said. "I'll just keep taking my base training real seriously so, when I do go to a meet, I can make a statement."