What Comes After College

[IAmTheWalrus]

So I just finished my college career... and I was not prepared for it at all. I fell short of my goals for this season, and spent most of college battling through injuries and mental blocks (running through all the time). Now I've finally gotten healthy, I've never been in better shape and... its over! I have much much more to say on the subject (both great experiences and regrets of achievements never reached), but I was wondering if anyone could share some good stories of pole vault life after college. I still feel like I have a TON of potential, especially if I can put all of may occasional moments of brilliance together (last year I had a free take off from time to time, and was jumping on a 16' pole 15lbs above my weight holding down a foot... I just sucked at meets, this year I was on smaller poles because I had no selection, but I was 3 stepping 14'). I just feel like its such an uphill battle to try and coach myself to higher heights without college resources, so if anyone can share some success stories of post collegiate vaulters, especially ones who weren't 17' vaulters in college, I would greatly appreciate it. Take care.

-Nick

[rainbowgirl28]

Are there any Elite Development Clubs in your area? http://www.usatf.org/clubs/programs/eli ... mentclubs/

Try and get hooked up with one of them and get them to sponsor you at Club Nationals this summer. Most of the clubs are distance heavy and not many vaulters go to the meet (none last year!) but it is a high caliber meet and if you get hooked up with a team that is going you can score big points for them. Try to find a club in your Association though, there is a new rule that clubs can't have more than 10% of their athletes that they send to Club Nationals be outside the Association. You can compete for any club at Club Nationals, they don't have to be an Elite Development Club.

Beach Vaults are also super fun, and most college meets let open vaulters in. Also, check and see if your Association holds an Open Championships. Your Association's website should list local meets for open athletes (though most probably do not).

In just a few short years, you will be old enough for masters, and from what I can tell, that is when the real fun begins

[chasing6]

I graduated last spring (08) and was in much the same boat as you. During my college career I coached myself from 14' in HS to 15'3" with limited pole selection. Unfortunately the college I went to didn't have a great vault program, but I was there for other reasons. Needless to say I felt that my potential hadn't even been scratched, and I wanted to see how high I could really jump before I hung up my spikes.

Fortunately I hooked up with a vault coach at a rival university who offered me a job as his assistant and his services as a coach. Since I started working with him in late august I have increased my indoor PR to 4.90m and my outdoor PR to 4.75m (with a 4.35m grip from 5 lefts). In practice sessions lately I have been clearing 5.20 soft bars with a 4.50m grip on poles rated 35-40 lbs over my body weight from 6 lefts. My goals are ambitious, and I'm planning on peaking at Club Nationals this year (for Club Northwest, Becca's club ) while doing some beach vaults and having some fun along the way.

Anyway, the moral of the story is if you want to continue to vault don't give up. Find a place where you can grow (may be harder than it sounds, but well worth it) and keep on flying. Good luck!

[IAmTheWalrus]

Thanks a lot, that definitely helps. I'll post my experiences as time goes on too.