Confidence

Sometimes it just takes one good run through to say, 'you know what, I can still do this'

Elite Meet

I competed yesterday. I knew going into it my toe was kinda iffy, it has been a very frustrating nag because I first hurt it playing summer frisbee, then it started to bother me doing sprints. It is primarily aggravated during the beginning of my approach as I push as hard as possible.

So for this meet, I didn't want to aggravate it again. So, I tried using a walk up approach. Of course, I know you can't practice at meets, and it didn't end well. Hut my toe anyway because I switched back to regular and fouled 16m+. It was a nice jump especially because I shortened my steps at the end, halting some momentum and was still able to go 16. I think right now my technique and strength have me at a 16.30 automatic, but that is with an approach that is consistent. I need to learn to not back kick and know how hard my steps are at the back. 

LOL Update

Hi. I went to Mexico in November and kind beat Muhammad. I didn't ump well and he was gimpy, so it really isn't a triumph. My body was in very good shape, but my form was peeeeeeyeeewwww. Easily could have gone 16m plus, maybe even 16.40 if I was groovin'.

Manuel Ziegler is attempting to break my School Records! I have to face him at the Elite meet, hopefully he beats my record and I subsequently beat him. I would be happy with that. 

49 Feet

Pretty good day of jumping this past Sunday. Did 9 step approaches for the first time since April. Toe didn't bother me. Hit benchmark of 49' on last try. I've had to relearn that you can't be passive AT ALL during any phase of the triple jump. That's what was frustrating me these past few weeks, I was expecting my first phase to just do itself. No, you have to activate everything from your back, arms, abs, calves, hamstrings, quads, etc... But then know when to relax and hold in the air.... oh triple jump. 

Ups and downs of squatting

Had a really nice day squatting yesterday. It was the first time I did it in "barefoot" shoes, and it felt much easier, I was able to go up to 335 and do a set of 5. Now, I know my squats should be higher, but for the past year I did mostly body weight and med ball strength training, I think squats are the only thing I will need weights for.

Waking up today though, back was killing me. Maybe me form was too easy...

2 months until Mexico, I should be ready, I have barred myself from anything athletic other than training. No basketball, no frisbee, nothing. Which sucks because I really wanted to integrate them into my training, but my toe still is barking at me and there is absolutely no reason to aggravate that.  

Sesamoiditis

So I finally went to the doctor for the first time in my adult life on Friday because of the month long pain in my big toe. I dinged it during frisbee and since I play frisbee every week, I just re agrivate it. But today was my last day of Blacksburg summer league frisbee because next week will be the mountain house!! 

Frisbee was a nice workout but the problem was that that is all the serious cardio I would get during the week because of the pain. So now, I can finally get my toe together so I can get back to the track. Shouldn't be so taxing on my toe because in frisbee here are so many awkward cuts. Jumping is intense but it is much more calculated. 

I found the perfect roller skating spot yesterday. It is an elementary school asphalt 200m track. Perfect!!! I did some laps yesterday to see if I could use that as exercise while my toe heals. It hurt my toe alittle but it was just the tightness of the boot, I didn't further the pain by skating so I'll try to hit the track more often, it nice and quiet and not many people go by there. 

Updake

Has been a couple months since I last updated. Haven't jumped since radford. I was under the impression that the CAC games were in July until last month so I my plans have changed. Instead of building to peak, I am taking this new found time to continue slimming and strengthening. Then in August I will start more track workouts and practice meets. 

But for now, I need to take care of two bruises. Playing frisbee last week I did something to the arch on my right foot, still tight, seems like I just pulled the muscle on my 5th metatarsal or something. Then today I pulled my back. Just like when I pulled my back at accs in 2012. But this time I wasn't briefly paralyzed. 

So now I am just nursing these two injuries, can't really do too much with an iffy back. It sucks because my local frisbee club is starting a team tournament this week and I might have to sit out this time. :(

Good jump day

I missed last weeks UVA meet due to a late day at work -____-. Then proceeded to watch a comrade that I used to whip in college jump 8 inches past my pr. The frustration of being trapped in a time/life/work crunch!!

Had a good jump day today given I stood in the sun for 8 hours fr work. Finally figured what was wrong with my 2nd phase after a couple weeks of bad practices. Activation!! I was being lazy and expecting the technique to do it, but now I got it. 49' from 5 rights is my benchmark, hit it, feeling confident again. Expecting to jump in Raleigh this Friday if I can get off work on time!!!!!

Highlander Invitational

15.44m. Felt really easy. Body feels pretty strong. Only issue was for some reason my run through was beyond off. I was a step short!? My steps didn't feel too long or anything. In warm ups everything was fine but I think I was alittle un confident and that ..... Idk. Never had a problem that I couldn't figure out in 5 jumps before. UVA meet in 2 weeks. Until then I will be focusing on my run through because I have the body and form right now to go 16.15 I think. 

Oh yea, my ankle is acting up again. It's only because when I have to chop my steps on a bad run up, I end up power jumping; jamming my feet in the ground instead of rolling through. 

Looking good, could be much better though. Hard working full time and training. 

Tight

I finally got back on the runway after taking it slower since I rolled my ankle. I did some run throughs and a few short approach jumps. The run throughs felt pretty good. The thing I am focusing on is my last 5 steps getting to the board. I need to stay aggressive all the way though and explode right on that last step. My first 3 ones were good, but then I just got plain tired. I had gone for a run in the morning so I was kinda tired before praciticing (thought i was in better shape).

Also did some short approach jumps. Things felt fine when I took it safe, but as soon as I tried to really dig, I was just tight and too tired to push through.

I plan on competing next weekend in Radford, 15 minutes from Blacksburg. I should be able to get 52 again, hope to use it as an escalator towards harder more focused workouts based on my deficiencies at the meet. Stay tooned! 

UGHHH

So, got out to the track today after a long day of sitting in the sun and watching construction. Excited to have a nice technique day. But........ as I'm warming up, i freaking roll my ankle!?!? It isn't the same inward roll that has plagued me. I did an outward roll because of my orthotics (arch supports) making my steps awkward. So, icing it now, don't think it will be serious. I am planning on competing at the end of the month, should be fine by then. Hoping to have a solid 52' performance. 

Blade training begins

First day roller bladin and it went ok. The rollerblades themselves feel pretty good, alittle right at the toes probably because of my really wide feet. I'm hoping I can break them in. I practiced on our running track, pretty good idea because the track didn't let me go too fast so I could focus on form. Since I was going at a controlled speed I could concentrate on my form and balance. And wiping out didn't hurt at all lol. Looking forward to next session.

Blade Nation

My roller blades came today!!! I am so excited to add them into my workout regiment. I have read they work the quads hamstrings calves and buttocks pretty good and also the abs to a lesser extent. What I gathered from my meet in February was that I lacked strength coming to the board and pushing off. This should help. I plan on doing morning skates and/or warmup/cooldown skates around workouts. Should be a nice way to relax and 'meditate'. I have tried yoga for the past month or so, but I think I need intense motion to feel calm, oddly. And also I'd really like to be a speed demon, always has been a dream of mine. Olympics 2018!!! jk

In other news, did some cycling and arm weights at the gym today. Felt a pretty good burn, nothing spectacular though. Wasn't really able to do the workout I wanted since so many people were at the gym. 

A New Hope

I competed today at the virginia tech elite meet. Competition wasn't elite at all however. Marquis dendy was jumping but he said was doing short approach coming off of surgery in the fall. But, I still managed to jump something better than last season legally, and I had a foul jump well over 52'. 

Now, I hate to be one of those people that talks about woulda coulda shoulda, but this was a purely practice meet, so I am bolstered by such a good jump. All of my other jumps hung around 50' which is odd to me, I'm usually a jumper that hits around the same distance. The problem was in the takeoff I believe. And it was partially mental. My run through was strong until I stood up and braced for the board. If I felt good about my position I would blast off the board and stay disciplined through the phases. If I didn't feel good I would be lazy and then try to power through the rest. Overall very happy, ankle didn't give out. I won, lol. Now to organize a training plan to clean up my weaknesses. And to call Muhammad, lol. 

Jump Day

First 9 step approach day of season. Went ok. Had to relearn how much technique matters and translates to feet onto your jump, especially when speeds pick up. I felt like I was just flailing being blasted out of a canon. My body started to remember my technique. My best for the day was 49' 6".

Another thing that kinda messed things up was my runway. I was so focused on hitting the board from 9 steps that I sacrificed real speed and posture coming into my takeoff. I should have been just when I felt right and not worrying so much about distances jumped, especially on my first day. I guess I got excited. 

Video and notes with comments will be uploaded soon.

Runny

Did my first solid run through practice of the season. Was decent, felt pretty strong coming into the takeoff. Was feeling best taking a 125' run. I need to remember that. When I get into meets I convince myself that since I'm more excited I run faster and therefore need to backup. But all that ends up happening is over striding and coming to the board with no explosion. 

Also, listen to explosion by j alvarez, farruko, and daddy yankee. Produced by musicologo. Daddy goes off!

Excited for 9 step approaches tomorrow

Gainzzz!

Did my first real technique jump day of the year. Going from 3 step(total) approach doing 6 jumps. And then another 6 at 6 steps. Somehow I had personal bests in both!!!!! 44'6" from 3 steps and 48' from 6 steps. In one jump I felt the perfection. I was able to horizontally carry the energy through the 1st two phases and I actually got vertical in the final phase. I need to remember that feeling. 

Lying down, my left ankle feels shaky. Definitely took all it could handle today, but in another sense it was able to handle it all. More rehab Sheem!!!

Sledzzzz

Did sleds today, they were a lot harder than when I did them a month or so ago. I think my quick stamina has slowed. My body looks good, I feel pretty fit, and I think I have finally cracked the code to a very healthy diet I can stick to. Planning to triple jump in 3 weeks, I really want to do well, at very least 15.50m

Jump Practice Interview

Getting Real

Did my first jump workout on the indoor track yesterday. Things are getting real. Talking to my former teammate, Keith, he was talking about his international meets he has lined up and his agent and crap. I have always had the tendency to devalue athletics. In my head I'm always just doing it for fun, some side thing. I constantly get floored by how serious people take this. And they should in my opinion, if you are going to do something, do it well. I needa start shaping up. Long Jump in a week and a half, better not pull a hamstring!