62 Years Old & Where To Practice?

[rhcherry]

I'm 62 years old and just discovered the Senior Games. In high school I came in 2nd in the Indiana State Gymnastics All Around finals and finished 4th at the state Track and Field meet in Pole Vault, 5th in Long Jump. I'm very interested in competing in the State/National Senior Games in Pole Vault, Long jump and maybe High jump. This morning I sat up a make-shift bar in my garage, purchased an 8 foot wood pole from the local building center and because of limited space did a two-step approach to the bar. To my surprise I went 4'8" landing on my feet the concrete garage floor. LOL My question is Where Do You Go To Practice? I guess I could set up and home made pit in my back yard but would like the real thing? I live in Southern Indiana.

[GasPasser]

Welcome back! There are several of us coming back to vaulting every year. Check out the Masters discussions here: viewforum.php?f=14
and here: http://masterstrack.com/
http://www.usatf.org/TF.aspx


The USATF calls us older than 30 YO guys/gals "Masters". The nice thing is that Masters competition puts us into 5-yr age groups for competition. You'd be in the 60-64 YO group.

My advice is to go slowly and give your body plenty of recovery. Most of us were plagued with injuries the first year because our bodies are not accustomed to this and there have been plenty of years away from it.

To vault, look for a vaulting club in your area. A good resource is this board. Make a request on the Masters board and look here: viewforum.php?f=3
and here: http://www.usatf.org/clubs/search/

Best of luck!

[rainbowgirl28]

I moved this to the Masters forum

Check out http://www.fuzionathletics.com/

[grandevaulter]

Sounds like you are athletic and agile. I would advise against landing on a concrete floor .

[KirkB]

While I was almost tempted to scorn you like Grandevaulter did, I realize that even your attempts at vaulting in the confines of a garage - using the concrete floor as your "landing pit" - demonstrate that you are a perfect candidate for Masters vaulting! There's a weird kind of attraction to the PV event that only certain people have.

The word DAREDEVIL comes to mind.

You will fit right in, but PLEASE be careful!

Kirk

[grandevaulter]

Kirk, I may not have competed in the Olympics like you, but I know the definition of scorn. I'm just trying to keep a brother safe. Someone famous said: " discretion is the greater part of valor"

[KirkB]

Kirk

[rhcherry]

Thank 'ALL' you guys. You're input is so much welcome and appreciated. I discovered in high school that us pole vaulters are a little crazy. I'm headed to gulf shores for two months and will concentrate on strength training and slowly developing a little speed after my hamstring heals. As you said - I found a vaulting club in Louisville that will welcome me come the spring. 4 weeks ago I could not even do 1 pull-up. This morning I did 4. LOL