Hey Max,

I am your STREND-pole vaulter. I started vaulting in the back yard when I was
11 in 1964 and vaulted all the way through college. I started on pipes and
sawdust pits, transitioned to bamboo (no kidding) and finally to fiberglass when
we got our hands on a 10' fiberglass pole that the power company used! I had a
pit in my backyard through the summers all through high school and that was my
key to success--lots of practice. My best jump in high school was 14'6" as a
junior (broke my leg my senior year--lousy pit!) and 15'6" in college (15"1 1/2"
officially). Once I got out of college, I changed over to marathons and 10K's
and did not pole vault for 27 years. I did, though, continue to do pole vault
type exercises (pull ups, leg raises, and dips) all through those years.
Although I am not of Matt's caliber, I did do 44 pullups with my legs held out
in an L for the first 35 when I was 39 years old. (Once a pole vaulter-always a
pole vaulter!) I also did 40 pullups 4 days after my 40th birthday. I turn 50
in 10 days, so I will have to give myself another test. Fresh, I can still do
at least 30.

Finding STREND was a dream for me because it combined my running experience with
my vaulting experience. I find that the focus that training for STREND requires
is very similar to vaulting, and of course the strength training is the same. I
believe that it is the STREND training that I have done over the last three
years that has allowed me to come back to pole vaulting after all of these years
and do it pretty well and injury free.

I have gotten back into pole vaulting because of my daughter Kimberly, who is a
sophomore in high school. She went to state as a freshman and is just now
(between snow storms!) learning to bend the pole. She is a natural athlete and
about the fastest kid on her track team, so I have great hopes for her. I
started helping coach the pole vaulters and you can only stand there so long
before you start doing pop ups and ...well, one thing leads to another. The
high school is great and lets me use their pits and poles. I jumped in a series
of indoor meets over the winter and am slowly getting the old form back. My
best jump is 12'6" in practice, although I am just now getting my sprinting back
in order and getting on a larger pole. Although, I am still plenty strong, old
age is hell on your speed and quickness!! Of course I am curious to see what I
can get back to. I think 13 or 13'6 is doable as long as I don't get hurt. I
have a friend, Jerry Donley, who is 73 and still vaulting 9'6", off of the wrong
foot, no less. Heck I still have 20 years of vaulting ahead of me.

I think the best way to get back to vaulting is to find a high school who wants
the help. Most kids are not getting much coaching and, despite the better
equipment and pits, that is what makes vaulting dangerous. Good vaulters rarely
hurt themselves. Its the newbies who have the problems. I love helping out and
working at meets, so I see a ton of new vaulters. Most kids are making very
basic mistakes, so whatever help you can give makes the sport a lot safer.

I am in the process of building a pit in my backyard. I am hoping that the high
school will let me bring their older pit home for the summer and fall. We shall
see. I would love to vault on those beautiful summer evenings. I will be
reliving my childhood and hopefully helping my daughter and other kids develop
their skills.

Sorry for going on so much, but I love vaulting--almost as much as I love STREND
and running! Really, they go hand in hand. Good luck.

John Carmony

----- Original Message -----
From: Max Wettstein
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2003 8:00 AM
To: STREND@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [STREND] Pole Vault


There was a recent e-mail sent out by someone on this list regarding pole vault
training. I didn't get to read it all or reply. I used to pole vault in
college and could be interested in getting back into it. I was wondering who
you are and where you train for pole vaulting. Do you need your own equipment?
Thanks,
Max
Matt Bogdanowicz <skate_94538@...> wrote:Kipping is a large swoop like
swing that uses momentum
as a catalyst to pulling. It would not work at a
STREND competition and could actually cause an injury
if you don't know what your doing.

To answer another question concerning training for
pull-ups. Variety is key. I try all machines and
grips for pull-ups. Reps vary, although I sometimes
start off with 2x 30 reps, and then start using all
kinds of back machines. Vary reps and weight, and I
will sometimes just jump up randomly and kick out 15
reps between exercises. On occasion I have been known
to add weight up to 90lbs, or two x45lb plates. I
believe if memory serves me I have done 20 pull ups
with a plate before. There is no easy way to train
for pull ups, pretend that some one lit a fire
underneath you if you can!

Matt

--- Brian Brunetti wrote:
> Matt,
> You are able to do 50 pullups? That's truly amazing!
> What is kipping?
> Thanks,
> Brian
>
>
> --- skate_94538 wrote:
> > Done!
> > Well I only had 50 in me (actually maybe one more
> if
> > I had to) and as
> > I speak my hands are trembling from the effort.
> > Yes, it is now on
> > Video, I will try and download it by monday. Does
> > anyone know of any
> > website that would carry it?
> > Matt
> >
> >
> > --- In STREND@yahoogroups.com, wb
> > wrote:
> > > Hello Matt,
> > >
> > > can on get a copy of that video? mpeg?
> > >
> > >
> > > regards,
> > > Bill
> > >
> > >
> > > Friday, April 11, 2003, 11:23:22 AM, you wrote:
> > >
> > > MB> No doubt less strain on the forearm.
> However,
> > do not neglect
> > working your forearms. I have a pull-up contest
> in
> > a few hours I
> > sometimes switch from thumb, to thumbless half way
> > through.P.S.
> > > MB> A note on the marine who did 76 or so pull
> > ups. I work with an
> > ex- marine who finished his commitment last year,
> > Anyway he told me
> > they still allow kipping. He went from 20 strict
> to
> > 40
> > > MB> kipping. So I would still think a guy who
> > could kip 70+ could
> > do at leat 50.OK, I am shooting for 53 today! We
> > are video-taping it
> > and we have 3 separte judges. STREND ON!
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
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> Yahoo! Tax Center - File online, calculators, forms,
> and more
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=====




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